Top PA officials say Quartet plan for renewal of peace negotiations encouraging
Elior Levy
After Palestinian officials spoke out against the Quartet’s planfor renewing peace talks last week, senior officials in Ramallah changed their tone Thursday, lauding the proposal and saying they are committed to negotiations with Israel.
Top PLO officials, headed by President Mahmoud Abbas, convened Thursday afternoon to discuss the Palestinian response to the latest Quartet proposal.
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In a statement issued following the meeting, officials in Ramallah said they examined the Quartet plan in detail and found several encouraging elements in it, such as a defined timetable that will not exceed three months for coming up with a detailed plan on the issues of borders and security.
The Palestinians also stressed in their statement that the PA’s leadership is committed to the two-state solution and to the path of negotiations, in the aims of resolving the conflict.
The statement also noted that the Israeli government must commit itself to the Quartet’s plan, especially in all issues pertaining to a settlement freeze and recognition of the 1967 borders as the basis for renewing talks, in order to prompt the resumption of talks as soon as possible.
The PLO’s leadership also condemned in its statement Israel’s decision to build 1,100 housing units in Jerusalem’s Gilo neighborhood.
The statement noted that „The Palestinian leadership again emphasizes that it is unwilling to accept negotiations lacking responsibility and seriousness.”
