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Peace Process

US: Israel should strengthen Abbas


By Ryan Jones
October 11, 2005

It?s the same story that has been recurring for the past decade: Washington says it is time to jumpstart the Middle East peace process, and adopts the Arab line that only additional Israeli concessions can accomplish this goal.

This despite the fact the process stalled, as it has repeatedly stalled, as a direct result of ?Palestinian? non-compliance with their signed undertakings, and their increased anti-Jewish terrorism.

But after just last month surrendering the entire Gaza Strip only to be bombarded with rockets days later, Israel is not in a gift-giving mood, and says it would like to first enjoy a little reciprocity.

On Monday, US State Department envoy David Welch met with top Israeli officials in a last-ditch but futile effort to salvage a summit between Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and PLO chief Mahmoud Abbas that had been scheduled for Tuesday.

During the meeting, Welch stressed the US belief that it is important for Israel to strengthen the Abbas regime. The American appeared to be suggesting that Jerusalem acquiesce to the numerous demands being made by the Palestinian Authority as a precondition for their attending the meeting.

PA officials said Abbas would not meet with Sharon without the guarantee that the Arab could walk away with diplomatic rewards that would help justify to the ?Palestinian? street his t?te-?-t?te with the Jew.

Among the ?gestures? on the Arabs? list: the release of 20 blood-soaked terrorists currently incarcerated in Israeli jails, and a withdrawal of Israeli forces from several towns that have been used as bases for terrorist operations in Judea and Samaria.

In his meeting with Welch Monday, Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz said that while Israel was aware of the need for ?confidence-building measures and concessions,? it was more important for the PA to finally after more than a decade take ?real steps, concrete actions against terrorism.?

[Ed. Note ? Oddly enough, no one seems to think its important for the ?Palestinians? to implement confidence-building measures to win back the trust of an Israeli Jewish population plagued daily by their openly hostile ?peace? partners.]

Israel's failure to bow to PA dictates resulted in Tuesday's summit being postponed till November, much to Washington?s chagrin. The Bush Administration wanted to be able to demonstrate that there was momentum towards peace prior to Abbas' visit to the US later this month.

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