BICOM

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday described the insistence by the Palestinian Authority (PA) that Israel must comply with pre-conditions as a proviso to negotiations as an insurmountable obstacle towards peace efforts.

Netanyahu told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee that “The Palestinians are intentionally insisting on preconditions that we cannot abide in order to prevent the start of negotiations,” adding that “As far as I’m concerned, setting preconditions is an obstacle that cannot be passed.” Netanyahu has repeatedly communicated his desire to resume direct peace talks with PA President Abbas, calling for him last week to “give peace a chance.” However, Abbas insists that before talks can take place, Israel must first freeze all settlement construction, agree to 1967 borders plus swaps and release pre-Oslo prisoners. US Secretary of State John Kerry has made a concerted effort to bring the two sides together since taking office in February and was expected to visit the region again this week. However, the State Department confirmed yesterday that Kerry’s visit has been postponed by several days.

Netanyahu though insisted that despite Palestinian obduracy over pre-conditions, a negotiated agreement is critical and although talks are “likely to be very hard…the alternative of a bi-national state is one we do not want.”

Netanyahu also said that “smart” settlement construction would continue in a fashion which would not harm the chances of a peace accord.  He said that building in the major settlement blocs “does not significantly change our ability to reach an agreement – that is a false claim.” Speaking earlier in the week, Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman told Army Radio that there is “a temporary hiatus” on building in East Jerusalem as “We have an interest in [John]Kerry succeeding” in his efforts to kick-start peace talks.