Middle East Peace Process: Positive Steps Taken in an Increasingly Negative Setting
At the same
time, the Israeli government has taken several destructive actions, such as its decision
with regard to the hilltop settlements, which while removing 12 of those settlements, has
effectively meant the approval of 32 new settlements in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory. Enlargement of some of the
existing settlements is also taking place, the most recent indication of which was the
decision to enlarge a settlement called Itamar to ten times its current size. Coupled with that has been the ongoing
confiscation of land.
Many other
Israeli political positions regarding the final settlement, such as the position on
Jerusalem and the position on refugees, cannot be described but as extreme positions,
which can only serve to ensure the failure of the negotiations. So, while we do appreciate the Israeli
implementation of the Sharm el-Sheikh Memorandum and the positive developments in this
regard, we are increasingly worried about overall Israeli actions and the real intentions
of Mr. Barak and his government. The Israeli
side must understand that this peace process is not about finding a solution for Israels
problems. It is about finding a solution for
the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, one which should respect the inalienable rights of the
Palestinian people with the required minimum justice and one which should be based on
international law and international legitimacy. |