The divide over the right of return of war displaced Palestinians has come into focus again with the Palestinian Authority reaffirming that it will not recognise Israel as a Jewish state.
Nabeel Shaath, a high ranking member of the Palestinian negotiation team said at a press conference on Wednesday that the Palestinians had declined during the course of the recently concluded Washington summit, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s call to discuss recognition of Israel as a Jewish State. According to Mr. Shaath, Mr. Netanyahu wanted these discussions to take place during the next round of summit talks scheduled in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El-Sheikh next week.
The Palestinian official, a former foreign minster, explained that recognition of Israel as a Jewish State would negate the right of return of Palestinian refugees who had been uprooted by the Arab Israeli wars of 1948 and 1967. Analysts point out that the return of refugees, estimated over four million would threaten the Jewish majority status of Israel.
Separately, the chief Palestinian negotiator, Saeeb Erakat has revealed that upcoming negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians would cover the status of Jerusalem, settlements, alignment of borders, refugees, water, security, and the release of prisoners. Apart from the status of refugees, the Palestinians have insisted that the occupied territories of West Bank and Gaza should comprise a future Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Mr. Erakat, however warned that high profile talks meant to conclude within a 12-month time frame would stall if Israel does not extend its September 26 deadline of suspending construction work inside Palestinian territories. He stressed that “the failure to extend the suspension would clearly mean breaking off and totally ending the negotiations”.
Mr. Erakat also said that an early breakthrough on the issue of borders would be crucial as it would impart a positive momentum to the resolution of other issues. He stressed that negotiations can progress “concurrently” if an agreement on the 1967 borders is achieved.
The Palestinian official said he would be holding fortnightly meetings with his Israeli counterpart, Yitzhak Molcho, to help smoothen the regular interaction between Mr. Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu. He added that the Palestinian negotiating team is made up of 14 committees comprising a total of 277 experts.
