Abu Ala: Ramat Eshkol & French Hill Will be Part of Palestine

Israel National News ^ | 15:29 Sep 08, '03 / 11 Elul 5763 | IMRA

[yonif]

(IsraelNN.com) The following IMRA interview with Ahmed Qureia (Abu Ala), in English, was conducted on 22 December 1997. Abu Ala was selected by Yasser Arafat to be the PA’s next prime minister.

IMRA: Yasser Arafat's most recent statements about Jerusalem indicate that there would be not compromise on any of the area of Jerusalem to the east of the 1967 line.

Abu Ala: There will be no compromise for one centimeter of the West Bank including Jerusalem.

IMRA: I have spoken with people from the Israeli peace camp and they all seem to be convinced that in a settlement such an area as French Hill or Ramat Eshkol - let's call them the older settlement areas...

Abu Ala: Nothing. Not settlements or settlers either.

IMRA: Not even French Hill or Ramat Eshkol?

Abu Ala: No. No. Of course no. That is occupied territory from 1967 and that is the compromise.

IMRA: We are talking about property worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Abu Ala: If there are individuals owning property then like in any country of the world it will be preserved for that person. But not for groups.

IMRA: What do you see happening to the people who live in those large neighborhoods.

Abu Ala: they are welcome to apply for citizenship under Palestinian law.

IMRA: Is there a provision in Palestinian law for dual citizenship or would they have to renounce their Israeli citizenship?

Abu Ala: That can be discussed, but not as settlers, not as Israelis in Palestine. IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)

[yonif]

They all want the destruction of Israel.

[tomahawk]

Bush's policy is in tatters. He keeps Arafat, who makes his plan impossible, in position to ruin the plan (which was unrealistic to begin with).

[anotherview]

Ah yes, Mr. Qurei, whom Reuters is calling "moderate", insists on every last centimeter of Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem. Very moderate--NOT!

[anotherview]

Prime Minster Shamir pretty much did what you suggested, and the U.S. froze a lot of aid to Israel. Israel survived without the U.S. aid and Prime Minister Shamir did not stop settlement development.

[sr4402]

Bush's policy is in tatters. He keeps Arafat, who makes his plan impossible

Is that so? Bush says Arafat must go and he is not. That means GWB has another card in his hand to play. You guys always underestimate GWB. He's got cards in his hands he hasn't played yet and it doesn't show on his face.

You think you are going to overwhelm GWB and the public with all this BS, but I think you will find the tables turned around real fast right when you don't want it.

He has more cards than you think.