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Arab League backs PA refusal to recognise Jewish state
The Arab League yesterday gave its clear support for the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) continued refusal to recognise Israel as a characteristically Jewish state, a key demand by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
PA President Mahmoud Abbas underscored his position, telling the Arab League Summit in Kuwait earlier this week, “we have refused to so much as discuss” the issue. As the summit drew to a close, the Arab League gave its backing to Abbas’ position, stating in yesterday’s final communiqué, “We express our total rejection of the call to consider Israel as a Jewish state.” Netanyahu has insisted that the PA recognize Israel as a characteristic nation state of the Jewish people as an expression of mutual recognition at the core of a two-state solution.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry is continuing attempts to ensure that peace talks extend beyond their end of April deadline. Although Israeli leaders have expressed their desire to extend the negotiations, PA leaders have yet to commit to their continuation. Kerry met yesterday with Abbas in Jordan’s capital Amman in what a high-ranking US official told Israel Radio was a “beneficial” meeting. The same report says Kerry will continue talking with Abbas and Netanyahu during the coming days.
The most immediate issue standing in the way of extending negotiations is this weekend’s scheduled fourth and final stage in the overall release of 104 Palestinian prisoners, which Israel agreed in order to allow the resumption of peace talks in July. Israel wants a Palestinian commitment to extend talks before a release, while the PA insists Israel must fulfil its commitment to free prisoners regardless. In addition, speculation suggests the PA will demand that Israel free Arab citizens of Israel and high-profile Fatah leader Marwan Baghouti, who is currently serving five life sentences for murder. However, the US State Department yesterday denied reports in the Israeli media that the United States would free convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard to smooth over the release.