Issue of settlements and the recognition of the State of Israel top agenda. Netanyahu's refusal to renew moratorium on new occupations in the West Bank hinder initial optimism. More rockets from Gaza against Israel.

Sharm el-Sheikh (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations start today in Sharm el-Sheik, the second round since last September 2 in Washington after 20 months of stalemate. The talks between Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will focus on the issue of settlements and the recognition of Israel. The first meeting was held in Egypt and in the evening talks will move to Jerusalem. Both meetings were attended by the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, who said yesterday that it is now "time for both parties to get to work."

Despite initial optimism, a stable agreement remains a distant hope. The moratorium on the freezing of settlements in the West Bank expires next Sept. 26 and on the eve of the meetings Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that he does not intend to renew the measure. He assured that will do everything possible to stop the construction of some of the thousands of new homes planned in the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority's intention is to totally and permanently block any new construction and now refuses to recognize Israel. "If the choice of Israel is to continue building settlements - says Saeb Erekat, a Palestinian official in the negotiations - that means it want to destroy the entire peace process."

Another obstacle to the negotiations is the Palestinians' internal division. Yesterday two more rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel and Hamas yesterday called the negotiations "humiliating and degrading", insisting that Abu Mazen is not authorized to negotiate on behalf of the Palestinian people.

 

• Israel
• Palestine
• negotiations
• Egypt
• peace
• talks
• settlements
• Jerusalem