BICOM

According to a report in today’s Haaretz newspaper, Washington is currently frustrated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to resume talks with the Palestinian Authority based on President Barack Obama’s speech of 19 May. According to the speech, negotiations would resume on the issues of borders and security, while the most contentious matters – including the refugee issue and future arrangements in Jerusalem – would be deferred until a later stage. The stumbling block is over the US proposal for future borders to be based on the 1967 lines, with agreed swaps – a formulation unacceptable to Jerusalem. The US Administration, according to the article – considers that Netanyahu’s failure to give a positive response to its proposal is hampering efforts to build a coalition to oppose Palestinian efforts to secure support for a unilateral declaration of statehood at the UN in September. The Palestinian Authority have hinted over the weekend that they would prefer to return to negotiations with Israel, instead of seeking a United Nations vote on the recognition of a Palestinian state.

In a separate development, it was reported today that former Gaza strongman Mohammad Dahlan was expelled yesterday from the Fatah party, having been suspected of plotting to replace Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.