PA presents map with 1.9% land swap

Palestinians submit Mideast Quartet with document detailing security, border arrangements for future state; agree to minimal land swap in West Bank

Elior Levy|Published: 12.01.11 , 11:04

The Palestinians transferred the Middle East Quartet a document relating to security arrangements and the prospective borders of a Palestinian State, in which they agreed to a 1.9% land swap of West Bank territory.

A Palestinian official on Thursday noted that the document, which included a map marked with the 1967 borders, was submitted to Quartet representatives during a November 14 meeting they held with Saeb Erekat.

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The official, who refused to give details about the areas included in the future land swap, noted that "according to the Quartet statement we were asked to submit an official document with our stance regarding borders and security, and this is what we have done."

The official added that the Palestinian Authority was not waiting for Israel's counter proposal, saying that "even if Netanyahu submits a document due to the pressure that is mounted on him, I am positive that it will be far from satisfactory and also unacceptable by the international community."

Meanwhile, officials in Jerusalem said Israel does not plan to submit a proposal until direct negotiations resume.

The Palestinians claimed that they would be willing to pursue direct negotiations on all core issues of Israel freezes construction of settlements in the West Bank.

The Quartet representatives last month requested both sides to submit their proposals on borders and security arrangements by the end of January.