RAMALLAH/JERUSALEM, 8 June 2008 — Israeli government officials yesterday confirmed that their country has begun the process of drafting a peace agreement with the Palestinian Authority. However, the officials stressed, the negotiations are far from a stage where a final accord can be drawn up.
The Israeli Army Radio quoted the officials as saying that “while there are points of consent on minor issues, there is still a complex disparity when it comes to the core issues (future of Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees, and Jewish settlements in Palestinian territories).”
The officials added “the stage of drawing up an agreement is still far away. The efforts continue and there is much work ahead of us.”
Knesset members from both ends of the political spectrum had negative reactions to statements made by the Palestinian Authority’s chief negotiator, Ahmed Qorei, on Friday in which he said Israel and the PA were prepared to begin drafting a final deal. Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Israel’s rightist party Yisrael Beiteinu, said that “if what Qorei said regarding the drafting of a peace agreement is correct, it should be made clear that the next government will not recognize that document.”
“We agreed with the Israelis to begin writing the positions,” Qorei told reporters late Friday. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reportedly said last week that there were still major gaps between Israel and the PA in peace negotiations.
Abbas was quoted as saying during a meeting with senior Israeli officials that the parties did not appear to be moving toward closure on core issues of Israeli-Palestinian conflict, although the gaps were becoming more clearly defined; he added that more time was needed.
Lieberman, whose party resigned from Olmert’s government in protest to the renewal of peace talks, added “such a document should be seen as an attempt at a political coup aimed at retaining power and not a serious political accord agreed upon in a rational and responsible manner.”
