U.S. 'Very Surprised' at Extent of Israeli Concessions

Arutz Sheva ^ | March 31, 2008 | Gil Ronen

[ScaniaBoy]

(IsraelNN.com) Israeli diplomatic sources said Sunday that the American delegation was very surprised at the extent of Israeli concessions to the Fatah-controlled "Palestinian Authority" (PA) announced by Defense Minister Ehud Barak. However, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was quick to say that they were not enough, and vowed to monitor Israel's execution of its promises.

The latest Israeli concessions to the PA in Judea and Samaria include permission for construction of two new Arab neighborhoods in the Ramallah area, with a total of 5,000 to 8,000 housing units. In addition, about 50 dirt roadblocks in Samaria will be removed, thus enabling vehicular traffic between Jenin, Tulkarm, Kalkilya and Ramallah, and the permanent checkpoint in the Rimonim area will be removed.

Barak announced the decisions in the meeting he held with PA "Prime Minister" Salam Fayyad and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Sunday.

Rice Talks Tough About Israeli Compliance
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had some tough words for Israel Sunday regarding the "gestures" Israel has undertaken to carry out in Judea and Samaria.

"We will monitor exactly what the Israelis do and the purpose is to improve the Palestinians' freedom of movement," Rice said. "We want to be much more systematic about what is promised and what is "We want to be much more systematic about what is promised and what is actually carried out," Rice added.

American special envoy General William Fraser, Rice explained, will be following Israel's implementation of the Road Map closely "and making sure that the road blocks are indeed removed and that this has an impact on the Palestinians' freedom of movement." Before Fraser arrived, she said, "we did not do this and we received promises that the Israeli steps would be carried out within a short time. I expect this to happen very soon."

25 APCs, 125 more vehicles
The Israeli concessions also included the following:

1. PA "police" stations will open in some areas under joint Israeli and PA control.

2. 700 PA "police" personnel will be deployed in the Jenin area, once they return from training in Jordan. Ultimate security responsibility will remain in Israel's hands.

3. Additional roadblocks and checkpoints in Judea and Samaria are to be removed by mid-May.

4. 25 APC's – out of 50 originally requested – and 125 additional vehicles and pieces of logistical equipment will be delivered to PA/Fatah hands.

5. Various restrictions on the movement of public figures will be eased.

6. Various restrictions on the movement of businessmen will be eased.

7. An additional 5,000 permits will be issued for construction work by Arabs in Israel (the current quota is approximately 18,500).

8. The Sha'ar Ephraim Crossing for will be opened for commercial activity on Fridays. Two new Arab neighborhoods in the Ramallah area. In addition, about 50 dirt roadblocks in Samaria will be removed.

9. Israel will allow the passage of businessmen from Arab countries, the United Kingdom, Turkey, the PA and Israel on a VIP footing (without checks) through Ben-Gurion International Airport, for the Bethlehem Economic Conference for Investors in May. Israeli businessmen will be allowed to enter Bethlehem for the conference. Businessmen attending the conference will be allowed to move in organized groups in Judea and Samaria cities, and into Israel (including Jerusalem and Nazareth).

10. Industrial Zones will be established in Jericho, Hevron (Tarkumiyah) and Mukibla. The Tarkumiya Industrial Zone will receive Turkish financing. Another industrial zone will be established in Yericho (Jericho) for the processing and marketing abroad of PA agricultural produce. Japan and Jordan will be involved in this project.

A statement issued after the talks went on to say that "the parties have completed connection of 27 Palestinian villages in [Judea and Samaria] to the Israeli power grid and, in an unprecedented action, have connected Jericho to the Jordan power grid."

PA will 'work' against terror
The agreements reached in the talks between Rice, Barak and Fayyad include only one commitment by the PA. "For its part, the Palestinian Authority will deploy security forces to provide law and order, and work to prevent terror," the statement issued by the American delegation said.

American officials voiced satisfaction with the Israeli "gestures." However, the sources said, Israel needs to do even more to make the Arabs' lives better.

Rice will meet Jordan's King Abdullah Sunday evening and will meet Prime Minister Olmert again Monday. She will then meet the heads of the Israeli and Arab negotiating teams, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Ahmed Qureia ("Abu Ala").

Opposition chairman Binyamin Netanyahu told U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Sunday that a permanent status arrangement with the PA that does not leave the IDF in charge of "large areas" of Judea and Samaria would lead to a Hamas takeover and the creation of additional Iranian bases there.

"We cannot transfer responsibility for security to subcontractors. Security needs to stay in the IDF and the security establishment. The practical way is an economic peace with the Palestinians," Netanyahu said after the meeting.

"If we abandon security to the care of others, we will receive rockets," the Likud chairman said. "We are the ones protecting Abu Mazen, he isn't protecting us."

[ScaniaBoy]

NETANYAHU: "WE ARE THE ONES PROTECTING ABU MAZEN, HE IS NOT PROTECTING US".

And in that one line Netanyahu revealed the total hollowness of the Bush/Rice/EU policy in the Middle East.

[ScaniaBoy]

PING!

[exit82]

Jehovah-jireh,please protect Israel.

From us.

[NormsRevenge]

Well, If Ms Rice’s efforts can survive the speedbumps in the Road to Peace in the Middle East, aka Hamas and Hezbollah, she will have accomplished something no one else has been able to do.

Ya never know. (but I doubt it) .. Old habits, like old terrorists, die hard.

[Bobalu]

I'm so disappointed by Rice and Bush's meddling in Israel's security affairs.

[DouglasKC]

The agreements reached in the talks between Rice, Barak and Fayyad include only one commitment by the PA. "For its part, the Palestinian Authority will deploy security forces to provide law and order, and work to prevent terror," the statement issued by the American delegation said.

What has gotten into these people?? Israel essentially has to arm it's enemies and in return they'll work to prevent terror?? How crazy is this??

[ScaniaBoy]

I’m sure Ms Rice’s “efforts” will survive Hamas and Hezbollah. I am not so sure Isrel will survive her “efforts”, though. At best we are looking forward to a “Finlandized” or dhimmified Israel - and as such the country will not survive for long.

One just hopes that the Israeli voters finally see the light and throws out Olmert/Livni/Barak, but frankly it does not look like that:

http://israelmatzav.blogspot.com/2008/03/rice-expects-deal-by-may-14-shas-buries.html#links

[kingattax]

American officials voiced satisfaction with the Israeli "gestures." However, the sources said, Israel needs to do even more to make the Arabs' lives better.

it's israel's obligation to make "arabs lives better" ? give me a break

this is one reason i find it absolutely absurd whenever i see someone come out with the "condi for president" nonsense

[forkinsocket]

There is no one good to replace them. Israel has simply never had good leaders.

[Migraine]

I am not so sure Isrel will survive her “efforts”, though.

I understand and sympathize with your sentiments; but -- I am willing to bet my life and fortune on this:

Amos 9:14 I will bring back my exiled people Israel; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. 15 I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them," says the LORD your God.

I am that certain that this passage refers to the very time in which we are living.

[MonicaG]

Thank you for posting that, very much!

God help us.

[AlaskaErik]

Why do we even waste our time on this nonsense. It's no big secret that the so-called “Palestinians” won't stop their violence until the state of Israel no longer exists.

[yldstrk]

Israel, don’t give up anything. Stand tough.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. or WOT [War on Terror]

----------------------------

[Convert from ECUSA]

Condi and the President are putting themselves in the position of arm-wrestling with the Almighty over Israel. Bad move. Nobody wins an arm-wrestling contest with the Lord. Foolish people.

[M. Espinola]

It's not that the White House is not aware of prophecies relating to Israel, they just think they are bunk, which is very dangerous for them -- and the rest of us.

Thanks a lot Washington!

[Convert from ECUSA]

"Thanks a lot Washington!"

I swear there is something in the water over DC that affects the White House, Capitol Hill, and Foggy Bottom.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Convert from ECUSA.

“However, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was quick to say that they were not enough, and vowed to monitor Israel’s execution of its promises.”

Can Condi’s three generals help her out-maneuver Barak in the West Bank?
Jerusalem Post | 3-31-08 | Calev Ben-David
Posted on 03/31/2008 8:22:38 AM EDT by SJackson
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1994334/posts

The Price of Bush’s Commitment to Palestinian Statehood
Arutz Sheva | 3-31-08 | Elan Journo
Posted on 03/31/2008 5:10:00 AM PDT by SJackson
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1994328/posts

Jewish Left wants the US to pressure Israel
Israpundit | Mar 30/08 | Ted Belman
Posted on 03/30/2008 4:45:01 AM PDT by tedbel
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1993938/posts

[rmlew]

Don't confuse political corruption and treason with the Israeli people. The problem is that the Media, courts, and leftist parties are wed and have bought, bribed, or coerced some others into refusing to allow for actual elections.

There is no recourse for the ISraeli people save marching on the Knesset in force.

[justiceseeker93]

As I said, it’s time for all friends of Israel in the US, Christian and Jewish, to remind the Bush WH that we don’t appreciate Condi Rice’s game plan for Israel.

[ScaniaBoy]

No, I was referring to a poll cited by Carl in Jerusalem which gave Likud 26 seats - the largest party, but way, way too little to have any effect if and when the elections will take place.

I just hope that the real figures will look so much better and Olmert/Barak/Livni (and Shas) will be hurled out of the Knesset and the government by the voters.

[rmlew]

Likud alone is not the true measure. Add NRP/Mafdal, National-Unoion-Yisrael Beitenu,and the religious parties.