Monday, November 16, 2009

Clinton to Palestinians: US Policy on Settlements Has Changed



Al-Manar

"....Meanwhile, former US president Bill Clinton confirmed on Sunday that Washington is committed to Israel’s security. He added that Israel must also want the US president to be accepted by non-extremist Muslims in the world.

Clinton also urged the Palestinians to accept America's modification of its anti-settlement policy and return to the bargaining table. "Take where we are and the reformulation of the settlement issue and find a way [to move forward]," Clinton told a Jerusalem gathering of high level American and Israeli policy makers at the Saban Forum in occupied Jerusalem.

The Palestinians, he warned, were more likely to get a good deal through negotiations. By refusing to talk with Israel, he said, they risked irking the international community, which might then blame them for the stalled peace process.

His words were consistent with the policy of Obama's administration, which has backed Israel's call to the Palestinians to open an immediate dialogue without preconditions.

That statement pleased Netanyahu, who opposes any freeze but angered many Arabs by appearing to reverse Obama’s commitment to a total freeze. It also put Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas in an untenable position because he refuses to resume talks “…without a full cessation of settlement construction.”......"

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