While Prime Minister Ehud Olmert remains opposed to entering into talks with any Palestinian Authority (PA) officials, Peretz continues calling for a dialogue with Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), whose party was ousted from power in the recent election, resulting in Hamas taking control of the PA.
In Peretz’s most recent statements, he called for entering into a dialogue with Abu Mazen in order to implement Olmert’s convergence plan with PA cooperation, stating Israel cannot implement additional unilateral withdrawal policies, as was the case this past summer in Gush Katif and northern Samaria.
Olmert continues to resist talks, realizing the Hamas administration is the subject of western pressure, with the White House and European Union observing an economic/political boycott on the PA.
Rejecting media reports, Peretz insists relations between his office and the prime minister are not strained as a result of his continued calls for dialogue with the PA, but analysts report this is not the case. Most political experts believe that Olmert and Peretz are at odds, pointing out that Peretz continue to inflame the situation with his daily statements, which are contradictory to Olmert’s policies.
With the White House remaining firm, back by the European community, Olmert does not want to enter into a dialogue with PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyah, especially ahead of his first White House visit, scheduled to take place later this month.
Haniyah continues to release statements that his administration will never recognize Israel’s right to exist, justifying the use of terrorism as a “legitimate” means towards achieving Hamas’ goals. Haniyah and his top aides have stated that recognition of Israel’s right to exist would contradict Hamas’ charter and therefore, it will never happen.
Nevertheless, Peretz continues to urge the cabinet to move towards opening a dialogue with Abu Mazen, who on Monday, during a visit to Russia where he met with President Vladimir Putin, called on Israel to resume diplomatic contacts with the PA, stating that without the resumption of talks, there is no hope of reaching a future agreement.
In Peretz’s most recent statements, he called for entering into a dialogue with Abu Mazen in order to implement Olmert’s convergence plan with PA cooperation, stating Israel cannot implement additional unilateral withdrawal policies, as was the case this past summer in Gush Katif and northern Samaria.
Olmert continues to resist talks, realizing the Hamas administration is the subject of western pressure, with the White House and European Union observing an economic/political boycott on the PA.
Rejecting media reports, Peretz insists relations between his office and the prime minister are not strained as a result of his continued calls for dialogue with the PA, but analysts report this is not the case. Most political experts believe that Olmert and Peretz are at odds, pointing out that Peretz continue to inflame the situation with his daily statements, which are contradictory to Olmert’s policies.
With the White House remaining firm, back by the European community, Olmert does not want to enter into a dialogue with PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyah, especially ahead of his first White House visit, scheduled to take place later this month.
Haniyah continues to release statements that his administration will never recognize Israel’s right to exist, justifying the use of terrorism as a “legitimate” means towards achieving Hamas’ goals. Haniyah and his top aides have stated that recognition of Israel’s right to exist would contradict Hamas’ charter and therefore, it will never happen.
Nevertheless, Peretz continues to urge the cabinet to move towards opening a dialogue with Abu Mazen, who on Monday, during a visit to Russia where he met with President Vladimir Putin, called on Israel to resume diplomatic contacts with the PA, stating that without the resumption of talks, there is no hope of reaching a future agreement.