Israeli official: No peace deal for many years

[ProgressiveMuslim]

Foreign minister’s comments cast a pall over the U.S. envoy’s latest efforts


JERUSALEM - Israel's powerful foreign minister Thursday said he would tell a visiting U.S. Middle East envoy that there was no chance of reaching a comprehensive peace deal with the Palestinians for many years.

Peacemaking policy in Israel is decided by the prime minister's office, and not the foreign ministry. But Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman carries significant weight in Israeli decision-making, and his is a sentiment common among confidants of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Lieberman is due to meet President Barack Obama's Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, in Jerusalem on Thursday to discuss, among other issues, the stalled peace process.

read on...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33221116/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/

[peacetalksforall]

1. What arrogance. They just wrote their ticket to more expansion and threats of bombing

and probably more massacres and control of all the shore and more money from us, plus the free technology and old jets? I am really depressed and stressed with Israeli policy.

What is the portion that a newly evicted family in this country contributes to the money we pay Israel to never work for peace and still get all the favors?

Let's wait and hear what George Mitchell and President Obama say after this meeting. Thursday morning here - the meeting should be about over in Israel.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

2. At last someone has articulated the ACTUAL POLICY of the Israeli gov't.

I anticipate lots of "he's a right-winger!" "He's an extremist!" kind of comments.

The fact is, he is giving honest voice to the actual position of the Israeli gov't.

Better to deal with someone who tells the truth than with those who would go thru empty motions.

[Howardx]

3. the israeli foreign minister is just one bad apple

he doesnt represent the israeli people...

[LeftishBrit]

4. He represents about 12 per cent of the Israeli people, if one's being accurate

And has far too much power. I hope he ends up in jail (he's been under criminal investigation for a long time).

[ProgressiveMuslim]

5. Olmert has been indicted as well. Why so many criminal policiticians?

It's pretty gross.

[Howardx]

7. a corrupt system breeds corrupt individuals

easy enough.

[LeftishBrit]

6. The two aren't incompatible

He is a right-winger and an extremist *and* he represents - and influences -
the Israeli government.

I would also consider Netanyahu a far-right-winger. Unfortunately sometimes far-
right-wingers attain power even in democratic countries. Look at Bush and
Cheney.

[Kurska]

8. This is news? Thats how most people In America, Israel and the rest of the world feel.

There isn't going to be a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, plenty of polling shows that to be the majority opinion.
http://www.pollingreport.com/israel.html

Just the polling for America by the way, you're free to look up the rest yourself.

[azurnoir]

12. I think HostGator ate your poll n/t

[Ken Burch]

9. Proving again that the Israeli government never WANTED the war to end.

All Israeli prime ministers are convinced that the war is the only reason the country matters.

[azurnoir]

13. Is it just the PM's ?

when one considers how much of Israeli society and economy is vested in the military

[Ken Burch]

14. Well, their whole military-political complex

They've taken the worst part of OUR system and put it on steroids.

[IndianaGreen]

10. No chance of peace for years, says Israel's Foreign Minister

No chance of peace for years, says Israel's Foreign Minister

Friday, 9 October 2009

There is no chance of an early solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and people must "learn to live with it", the Israeli Foreign Minister warned yesterday.

"Anyone who says that within the next few years an agreement can be reached ending the conflict... simply doesn't understand the situation and spreads delusions, ultimately leading to disappointments and an all-out confrontation here," Avigdor Lieberman said in a radio interview.

He added: "I am going to say very clearly: there are conflicts that have not been completely solved and people have learnt to live with it, like Cyprus."

Mr Lieberman, the head of the far-right Yisrael Beitenu party, suggested that a long-term, interim deal with the Palestinians could ensure prosperity, security and stability, but tougher questions should be left until later.

"We have to be realistic," he said. "We will not be able to reach agreement on core and emotional subjects like Jerusalem and the right of return of Palestinian refugees."

Mr Lieberman does not lead Israel's negotiating team and his ideas will not necessarily translate into his country's policy towards the Palestinians, which is set by the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Nevertheless, the Foreign Minister's remarks overshadowed the arrival in Jerusalem of George Mitchell, America's Middle East envoy, who will try to get the stalled talks moving again.

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/no-chance-of-peace-for-years-says-israels-foreign-minister-14526956.html#ixzz0TP5VkwRe

[bemildred]

11. It's almost like he doesn't want peace. nt

[Ken Burch]

15. Gee...y'think?

n/t.