(Israel's President Moshe) Katzav hosts Geneva Initiative architects

The Jerusalem Post ^ | 26 November 2003 | GIL HOFFMAN

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Nov. 26, 2003
Katzav hosts Geneva Initiative architects
By GIL HOFFMAN

President Moshe Katzav hosted the Palestinian signatories to the Geneva Initiative at Beit Ha-Nassi (the President's residence) Wednesday.

At the start of the meeting, former Palestinian minister Yasser Abed Rabo said that his delegation is "extending the hand of peace to Israel."

"We are looking for the support of all Israelis who want peace in this land to help create a bridge to peace," Abed Rabo said. "Both sides have suffered a lot. We hope to put an end to the suffering and start a new era of friendship, good neighborliness and peace."

Katzav said he welcomes talks between Israelis and Palestinians in an effort to increase understanding between the two peoples, but that "only the government has a legitimacy to negotiate and conclude a formula for peace the brutal bloodshed of the last few years prevents reaching a formula for peace."

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I cannot understand why President Katzav, who is a member of Likud, is doing this. It gives Yossi Beilin and the Geneva Insanity more legitimacy which it does not deserve.

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ping

[anotherview]

You are not bursting my bubble. I have long argued that Labour and Likud ultimately carry out the same policies no matter what they say in the election campaigns. The Wye River Accords, which advanced the Oslo "peace" process were signed by Binyamin Netanyahu, remember?

I just think Likud is generally less likely to make concessions that are so stupid as to endanger Israel's future. It was the fear of just those sort of concessions that cost Shimon Peres the 1996 election.

[dennisw]

I cannot understand why President Katzav, who is a member of Likud, is doing this.

If you can't I can't. I can only hope it fits into a larger Ariel Sharon strategy. That Katzav is not a loose cannon. May well be that Israel figures the PA cannot live up to even the first steps of this peace agreement.

[anotherview]

Tell me again that Israel is not doomed.

OK, I'll tell you. Israel is not doomed.

Now you tell me: How much power does Moshe Katzav have under the Israeli system of governmnent? See what I mean?

[anotherview]

The actions of one stupid powerless politician do not doom an entire nation. Israel is not that easily doomed.

[tubavil]

THE LEADERS IN ISRAEL ARE COWARDS AND CORRUPT, AND DON'T HAVE A CLUE!

Bump!