Israel initially promised US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that it would implement a long-dormant provision of the Oslo Accords, providing PA Arabs traveling between Gaza and Judea and Samaria "safe passage" through uncontested Israel, on Israeli roads. The commitment was made in the framework of a deal brokered by Rice to open the Rafiach crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
However, Israeli officials have informed the Americans that current anarchy in the PA makes it impossible to maintain Israeli security requirements for implementing the cross-Israel passage for PA residents. According to a senior government official, the US and European officials have shown understanding of Israel's position.
American negotiators have not raised the matter of the "safe passage" in the past week, in contrast with the persistence with which they pressured Israel previously. The European Union has also lowered its pressure on Israel, particularly since the European observers at the Rafiach crossing on the Egypt-Gaza border were forced to flee in the wake of PA rioting and internal clashes.
On Thursday, a delegation of senior envoys from the United States is due to arrive in Israel for meetings with Israeli and PA officials. The American delegation, headed by US Undersecretary of State C. David Welch and Deputy National Security Advisor Elliot Abrams, will raise the issue of the "safe passage", but no ultimatum is expected. At the top of the delegation's agenda will be the expected victory of the Islamist Hamas movement in PA elections scheduled for later this month, as well as the possibility that the elections may be postponed. Members of the ruling Fatah organization have recently threatened to withdraw their names from the ballot, which would force a postponement; whereas, PA leader Mahmoud Abbas ("Abu Mazen") has declared that the elections will go ahead on schedule. Abu Mazen himself, however, has indicated that he may not contest future PA leadership elections.
However, Israeli officials have informed the Americans that current anarchy in the PA makes it impossible to maintain Israeli security requirements for implementing the cross-Israel passage for PA residents. According to a senior government official, the US and European officials have shown understanding of Israel's position.
American negotiators have not raised the matter of the "safe passage" in the past week, in contrast with the persistence with which they pressured Israel previously. The European Union has also lowered its pressure on Israel, particularly since the European observers at the Rafiach crossing on the Egypt-Gaza border were forced to flee in the wake of PA rioting and internal clashes.
On Thursday, a delegation of senior envoys from the United States is due to arrive in Israel for meetings with Israeli and PA officials. The American delegation, headed by US Undersecretary of State C. David Welch and Deputy National Security Advisor Elliot Abrams, will raise the issue of the "safe passage", but no ultimatum is expected. At the top of the delegation's agenda will be the expected victory of the Islamist Hamas movement in PA elections scheduled for later this month, as well as the possibility that the elections may be postponed. Members of the ruling Fatah organization have recently threatened to withdraw their names from the ballot, which would force a postponement; whereas, PA leader Mahmoud Abbas ("Abu Mazen") has declared that the elections will go ahead on schedule. Abu Mazen himself, however, has indicated that he may not contest future PA leadership elections.