Abbas: Lasting peace can be reached
In Wall Street Journal op-ed, PA president expresses commitment to peace process, but warns of 'shifting parameters of debate'; says Israelis must stop settlement activity
Abbas stated that "we must resolve our differences at the negotiating table rather than on the battlefield" and acknowledged the "hardships faced by our Israeli neighbors."
However, he warned in an opinion editorial published on Friday, that "if we do not succeed, and succeed soon, the parameters of the debate are apt to shift dramatically. " Specifically, Abbas pointed to Israeli settlement in Judea and Samaria as the primary obstacle to a settlement.
"Israel's continued settlement expansion and land confiscation in the West Bank makes physical separation of our two peoples increasingly impossible, he said, adding that "the number of Israeli settlers in the Palestinian West Bank grew by approximately 85% after the Oslo accords were signed."
He noted that US Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice had stated, during her most recent visit to Israel, that settlement activity is not helpful to the peace process, and asserted that "Israel's occupation mindset must be exchanged for partnership and peace."
The op-ed, published in the conservative Wall Street Journal, seems geared as a message to Republican audiences, in particular, the current Republican leadership.
'Jerusalem already divided'
Abbas proclaimed his willingness to see a physically undivided Jerusalem, but stated that "sovereignty must be divided, the city itself can be shared as the capital of two states -- east for Palestine and west for Israel."
The PA president further claimed that such a division already exists in practice, with Israel splitting the city " through its complex of walls, tunnels and laws that segregate and discriminate between Muslim and Christian Palestinians and Israeli Jews."
Abbas emphasized the importance of perceived fairness in such a settlement, which he suggested would be manifested by a state based on 1967 borders, in addition to the divided sovereignty of Jerusalem.
"The goal of these negotiations must be a fair, comprehensive and clear agreement. The negotiations cannot be a cover allowing the stronger party to continue imposing its will," he said.
The Palestinian leader claimed that, in this capacity, it is important to note that Palestinians had made an "enormous historic compromise" by accepting the two-state solution in theory, claiming that Gaza and the West Bank constitute only 22% of a historic Palestinian homeland.
In conclusion, Abbas said: " I pledge my full cooperation in the days and months ahead. I am thankful for the efforts of the Bush administration to assist in brokering peace. I again extend my hand to the Israeli people, and I urge them and their leaders to make a choice that ensures a secure and prosperous future for both our peoples."
Yitzhak Benhorin contributed to this report
