BICOM

Yesterday Israel’s Minster for Strategic Affairs Yuval Steinitz reiterated Israel’s offer to release the fourth tranche of Palestinian prisoners in return for the Palestinian Authority cancelling its bids to join various international organisations. In remarks to The Telegraph Steinitz said, “We were ready to do it [the prisoner release] and if the Palestinians will cancel their unilateral steps and will agree to proceed with the peace dialogue, we will still be able to do it. But we have to have the confidence that Abu Mazen [Abbas] is ready to promote real peace and to conduct these very complicated peace talks.”

Talks between Israel and the Palestinians have faltered after the Palestinians took unilateral steps to join international organisations and Israel responded by cancelling a planned release of Palestinian prisoners. Yesterday Prime Minister Netanyahu moved to limit cabinet level contact with the Palestinian Authority to Chief Negotiator and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and defence and security officials. According to an Israeli official quoted by Reuters news agency, Netanyahu issued the order after “the Palestinians’ grave violation of their commitments in the framework of the peace talks.”

Meanwhile Secretary of State John Kerry has met with his Israeli counterpart Avigdor Lieberman in Washington. Presenting a united front, Lieberman said to Kerry: “We know and everybody in Israel knows that you are really a very close friend, reliable friend. We’re ready to sacrifice a lot for this goal.” Lieberman continued, “We proved our desire to achieve real peace with our neighbours, not only as a lip service, but in all our agreements that we signed with Egypt, with Jordan. We gave up territories three and a half times more than our territory today – Sinai, half of Judea Samaria, Gaza Strip. And I think that we really – we are looking for the same positive approach from the other side, and we think that any unilateral steps, they only can undermine all our efforts.”

Speaking of ongoing efforts to salvage the peace talks, Kerry remarked: “obviously, we are working hard to try to find a way forward and both parties indicate they would like to find a way to go forward in the talks.”

Tzipi Livni has also issued a sharp rebuke to Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett who has repeated his demand that Israel annex parts of the West Bank. Referring to a letter reportedly written by Bennett to the Palestinian Authority, Livni said: “For a moment I considered supporting [Bennett’s initiative], provided that Bennett would also undertake to implement [his proposal] and not only to write letters like a child who acts out in hope that his parents will set him some boundaries. But then I remembered that I have two sons here. So, despite the temptation, no thanks. I want our children to have a Zionist and better future. And, incidentally, the Palestinians would be very glad to know that Bennett only wants the blocs and is prepared to concede all the rest. That’s good news that can be finalized in the negotiations.”