Netanyahu seeking direct talks
Proximity talks with Palestinians should lead to direct negotiations soon, Prime Minister Netanyahu says after PLO approves talks; Palestinians expect Israeli concessions, including handing over of land to PA control
Earlier, Saturday, the PLO and Fatah's central committee gave their go-ahead to the American proposal for indirect negotiations with Israel.
Earlier, Defense Minister Ehud Barak issued a statement also lauding the Palestinian approval of talks.
"I hope and believe that through an approach of responsibility and willingness to take the tough decisions required of both sides, we shall reach direct talks and a breakthrough towards an agreement," he said.
The Palestinians expect that the sides will shift from indirect negotiations to direct talks before the four months which the Arab League earmarked for the proximity talks. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority is demanding a series of Israeli gestures such as the opening of Palestinian institutions in east Jerusalem, Palestinian security presence in additional areas, and the handing over of more land to PA control.
Speaking earlier Saturday, PA President Mahmoud Abbas' right-hand man Yasser Abed Rabbo said the Palestinian decision to approve the talks was "mostly premised on pledges and guarantees made by the Americans to the Palestinian side in respect to the issue of settlements and the basis for negotiations – Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, the Road Map, and the Arab peace initiative."
Roni Sofer and Ali Waked contributed to the report
