Jordan: Settlement freeze condition for Arab initiative
FM Nasser Judeh tells Yossi Beilin partial implementation of Arab peace plan hinges on total freeze of West Bank construction; says Fatah-Hamas deal imminent
Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh on Monday told the chairman of the Geneva Initiative, Yossi Beilin, that "a total freeze of settlements is a condition for the partial implementation of the Arab peace initiative".
During their meeting in Amman, Judeh added that negotiations with Syria and the Palestinians should be held simultaneously, rather than completing talks with the Palestinians first.
The minister estimated that rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah would reach an agreement by July 7.
While in Amman, Beilin, the former chairman of the leftist Meretz party, met with a number of top Jordanian officials.
Jordan and Egypt were tasked by the Arab League to promote the Arab initiative, which calls for a comprehensive peace agreement with Israel in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from territories in the West Bank and a solution to the Palestinian refugee issue.
The initiative has been adopted by part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
