Palestinians want 'low-key' peace talks

Negotiations on permanent agreement to begin Wednesday at King David Hotel in Jerusalem; PA asks that talks be kept on low profile due to IDF operation in Gaza

Roni Sofer
Published: 12.12.07, 00:50 / Israel News

Israeli officials said the negotiations with the Palestinians on a permanent agreement will commence as scheduled on Wednesday, in accordance with the understandings reached at the Annapolis summit 15 days ago.

However, the Palestinian Authority has asked that tomorrow's talks, which will be held in Jerusalem's King David Hotel, be kept on a low profile, with no photo-ops, in protest of the IDF's extensive operation in south Gaza.

Annapolis

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לכתבה המלאה

It is estimated that the negotiation teams, headed by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Ahmed Qurei (Abu Ala), will present their suggestions on how the negotiations should be conducted. Officials in Jerusalem believe that the Palestinians will demand the establishment of separate negotiating teams for each of the core issues to be discussed. Israel is opposed to this format.

Jerusalem is moving forward with the preparations for the renewed peace talks. The "Kitchen-Cabinet" consisting of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak will guide the Israeli negotiating teams, which wil include senior officials from the PM's Office and the Foreign and Defense ministries.

Israeeli officials said the negotiations should be conducted without pressure. "There is no deadline and no dramas – we're keeping a low profile," one official said.

According to them, Israel does not want the talks on the core issues to be tied to President George W. Bush's scheduled visit to the region on January 9.

The National Security Council is also expected to convene Wednesday to discuss the Gaza operation and the Grad missile threat on Ashkelon and Netivot.

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