BICOM

Israeli Channel 2 news claimed yesterday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relayed to the US that he was prepared to start negotiations with the Palestinian Authority based on 1967 lines, plus mutually agreed swaps, on the condition of Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish State. According to Channel 2, the Palestinians rejected Netanyahu’s latest proposal, and as a result, he would not be making it public. An Israeli official quoted yesterday in a separate report in Reuters, said, “In order to restart the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and facilitate the restarting of direct talks, Israel has been willing to accept a package that includes a formula on borders.” The official stressed Netanyahu’s position that Israel would not return to the 1967 lines, but said that the package could include borders “that would be difficult for Israel to accept.” The offer, according to the official quoted, was dependent on the Palestinian side abandoning its campaign to seek recognition at the United Nations in September, and on the recognition by the Palestinian side of Israel as a Jewish state.

US President Barak Obama proposed in May a deal on borders would not mean a return to the 1967 line as it was, but a border based on the 1967 line with mutually agreed land swaps. These would enable Israel to keep the major settlement blocks. Netanyahu stressed at the time that Israel would not return to the 1967 lines.

The Arab League are meeting in Doha in the next few days and reports indicate that a joint-document will be released that will outline the League’s strategy for September. According to reports, the Arab League are in favour of seeking a resolution at the UN Security Council, despite the threat of a US veto, instead of through the UN General Assembly.

Palestinian officials yesterday said that from the 20 September, the eve of the UN vote, they plan to begin non-violent mass marches. Palestinian official Yasser Abed Rabbo said the campaign would be called ‘Palestine 194,’ since the Palestinians hope to become the 194th member of the United Nations.