munaeem | 30 March, 2007 10:32
In interviews with Israeli newspapers published on Friday, Olmert said the plan endorsed by Arab leaders at a summit in Riyadh could help create positive momentum in future negotiations.
"There is a significant chance that in the next five years Israel can get to a comprehensive peace," Olmert said.
But he made clear aspects of the Arab plan were "problematic" and that Israel was not prepared to embrace it, "jump in and say 'This is it."'
The Arab plan offers Israel normal ties with all Arab countries in return for withdrawal from land seized in the 1967 Middle East war, the creation of a Palestinian state and a "just solution" for Palestinians displaced in 1948 with Israel's creation.
Israel opposes giving Palestinian refugees the right of return to their former homes in what is now the Jewish state, and it wants to hold onto some of the major settlement blocs in the occupied West Bank."
Israel's concerns are justified. Because it will turn Jews into minority. International community should intervene and try to find out some solution, which should be acceptable to Israelis and Palestinians. There were reports that Palestinians in foreign countries will be granted permanent residency of that country.
Islamist group Hamas should show some flexibility, and try to settle this issue through negotiation. They must realize that Palestinians people have suffered a lot because of wrong policies and rigidity of their leaders. Now time has come to lessen their miseries.
According to reports , Arab leaders in Riyadh gave the green light to creating a committee that could negotiate details of the plan with the Jewish state and others.
Olmert and other Israeli officials have held secret talks in recent months with Saudi officials, according to diplomats and Israeli media reports. Agreeing to a public meeting would be a major breakthrough.
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