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| Abbas calls for secret talks with Israel |  |  |  |
| Israel |
| Written by Chris Perver |
| Tuesday, 26 December 2006 17:00 |
| President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority is calling for a new channel of negotiations to be opened with Israel, presumably with the Palestinian Liberation Organization that would bypass Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas met last week, after being cajoled somewhat by European Union leaders. At the meeting, Olmert offered Abbas significant concessions including a release of tax money due to the PA, the transfer of weapons to Fatah, as well as removing nearly 50 security checkpoints throughout the West Bank. Abbas is now calling for a new secretive channel to be opened between the Palestinians and Israelis, with the co-operation of the Quartet. Quote: "Following his meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo, Abbas said serious talks behind closed doors are imperative, adding that the Quartet should participate as well. “For some time now we’ve been considering the option of opening another channel of communication between us and the Israelis with the participation of one or all of the Quartet members (United States, Russia, European Union, United Nations) to discuss issues related to a permanent agreement,” he said. If all members of the Quartet aren't involved in these talks, that begs the question, which ones would be involved? The US isn't trusted by the Palestinians due to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, etc. Russia is vehemently pro-Arab, and refused to impose any sort of sanctions against Iran's nuclear policy, therefore they wouldn't be trusted by the Israelis. The UN was unable to bring about a lasting peace on Israel's northern border, in fact UN inaction contributed to the situation in that country, so UN mediation is not the preferable option for Israel. That only leaves the European Union, which already has troops in Lebanon, is contemplating sending troops to Gaza, is Israel's biggest trading partner and has sent more money to the Palestinians this year than ever before, and the EU is not seen as pro-Israel by the Arabs - today insisting that Israel halt all settlement activity. Quote: "The European Union said on Wednesday it was deeply concerned about Israel’s plan to turn a former army base in the occupied West Bank into a settlement for 30 Jewish settler families evacuated from Gaza last year. A US backed Israeli-Palestinian peace plan known as the "Road map” calls for a halt to settlement construction in the West Bank, land Palestinians want for a state. “This development runs contrary to the commitment undertaken by Israel in the road map,” Finland, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU, said in a statement. (Reuters) The Bible states that it will be the European Union that will become the final world empire (Daniel 7:7), and it will be the head of the EU that will confirm the covenant with Israel and the nations (Daniel 9:24-27). |
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