![]() Such a move would transform Abbas’ tense relationship with Israel into an openly hostile one.Ībbas is also pushing forward with reconciliation with Hamas, which seized control of Gaza from his forces seven years ago. After that, Abbas has threatened to take steps toward joining the International Criminal Court, opening the door to pursuing war crimes charges against Israel. veto, a scenario the Palestinians believe would embarrass an American government and portray it as out of step with international opinion. That is the number required to trigger a U.S. So the key test for Abbas will be whether he can muster nine votes in the 15-member council. The U.S., which says a Palestinian state can only be established through negotiations, has already said it opposes the proposal. Security Council for a resolution that would set a deadline for Israel to withdraw from occupied lands to make way for an independent Palestinian state. Palestinian officials say Abbas is now set on turning to the U.N. last week that Israel conducted a “war of genocide” in Gaza all but buried the chances of resuming dialogue. Palestinians: The Palestinians have long had little faith in Netanyahu, but Abbas’ accusation at the U.N. “I can see obvious signs for the common interest of Israel and Arabian states,” he said. He said had Netanyahu mentioned the 2002 Arab peace plan - which offered comprehensive peace with the Arab world in exchange for a peace agreement with the Palestinians - the speech would have been more serious.īut Eli Avidar, who headed Israel’s trade office in Qatar from 1999-2001, said Netanyahu’s ideas are “absolutely realistic.” “The naive belief that there is any chance in the world that the Arab world will make peace with us before we make peace with the Palestinians is really strange,” Beilin said. But he said sharing a “common denominator” is not enough. Yossi Beilin, a former Israeli deputy foreign minister, said Israeli leaders have tried to forge alliances with Arab moderates since the first Gulf war in 1991. “Chances for such alliance (with Israel) are nearly nonexistent,” said Sameh Seif al-Yazal, a former Egyptian intelligence official who is close to el-Sissi. But President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has also said he supports the Palestinian people and their pursuit of statehood. In an interview last week with CNN, he said his country was open to reviving relations with Israel “as long as they are serious in making peace and providing and protecting the Palestinian people.”Įgypt, which has a peace agreement with Israel and maintains close security ties with the Jewish state, was seen as largely supportive of Israel during its latest war against Hamas in Gaza. The Gulf country once stood out for hosting an Israeli trade office but closed it in 2009 in protest over Israel’s war with Hamas, the first of three in less than six years. Similar concerns were voiced recently by the emir of Qatar, Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. “This is one person nobody wants to hang around with or be seen sitting next door to.” ![]() “This guy is just talking nonsense,” Abdulla said. Netanyahu’s intended partners, however, appear to be in no hurry to take him up on his offer.Ībdulkhaleq Abdulla, a professor of political science at United Arab Emirates University, said the lack of progress in peace efforts with the Palestinians, and continued Israeli settlement construction, have hurt Netanyahu’s credibility in the Arab world. A top adviser, Dore Gold, in a radio interview on Tuesday, said Netanyahu would elaborate “at the right time.” ![]() Netanyahu’s proposal was largely devoid of details. He mentioned Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia as possible allies. “Our challenge is to transform these common interests to create a productive partnership,” he said, adding that such an alliance could even “facilitate peace” between Israel and the Palestinians. He then urged moderate Arab countries to join him in the battle against Sunni Islamic extremists and an empowered Shiite Iran. Seeking to rally international support, Netanyahu said in his address Monday that Hamas and the Islamic State extremist group are ideological brethren - an oft-repeated claim that has gained little traction around the world. Israel: After a failed round of peace talks last spring and a war against Hamas that inflicted heavy damage in the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu is under pressure to seize the diplomatic initiative. Both plans offer novel attempts at breaking months of deadlock. ![]()
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