Erekat: There Haven't Been Direct Talks in Weeks

Arutz Sheva ^ | 12/23/13 | Elad Benari

[Eleutheria5]

Amid reports that the United States is planning to present a framework agreement for peace between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) within a month, the PA’s chief negotiator said on Sunday that the sides have not even had any direct talks for weeks.

NRG/Maariv quoted Saeb Erekat as having said that the only talks in recent weeks have been taking place between the PA and the Americans and the Americans and the Israelis. Israeli and PA representatives have not been meeting recently, he stressed.

"There have not been talks for some time," said Erekat. “The meetings currently taking place are between the American leadership and us on the one hand, and between Israel and the American leadership on the other hand.”

Erekat outright denied a report Sunday in the London-based Arabic paper A-Sharq Al-Awsat, which claimed that there is already a written framework agreement to be presented by the Americans. He said that the matter is still under discussion and that the Americans have been listening to both sides.

So far, the Arab League has voted to reject a proposal by Secretary of State John Kerry, according to which Israel would withdraw from the Jordan Valley, but IDF soldiers would remain for a 10-year period. Arab leaders insist Israel withdraw completely in the short term.

Israeli leaders have expressed strong concern over Kerry’s suggestion as well, arguing that a complete withdrawal in 10 years is not in Israel’s interests and would pose a serious security risk.

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[Eleutheria5]

McPoem:

Liar, liar, pants on fire
Sinking in the piece-talk mire

[Former Fetus]

Mr. Abbas: when I hear the words “final solution” and Israel in the same sentence, I get kind of anxious... Kindly, go and take a hike!

[SunkenCiv]

> So far, the Arab League has voted to reject a proposal by Secretary of State John Kerry, according to which Israel would withdraw from the Jordan Valley, but IDF soldiers would remain for a 10-year period. Arab leaders insist Israel withdraw completely in the short term.

Thanks Eleutheria5.