Barak: Israel Should Accept Upcoming U.S. Peace Plan
(AP Photo/Dan Balilty)
A spokesman for the U.S. State Department said he "could not confirm the existence of such a plan." But the Web site for the Israeli daily, Haaretz, reported that Barak told the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee the U.S. plan will "be formulated and presented to the parties."
"I believe that Israel must take the lead in accepting the plan," Barak was quoted as saying.
The news comes amid reports of increasing friction between the two allies over conflicting disagreements about future steps. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has so far stiff-armed Washington's demand for a West Bank settlement freeze. The Palestinians have demanded that Israel halt its settlement activity in the West Bank before resuming negotiations. Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority were put on ice last December after Israel invaded the Gaza Strip.
Since then, U.S. Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, has conducted several meetings with Barak.
YNet News, which is affiliated with the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, quoted Barak saying that Israel was "committed to a regional deal, that we honor agreements signed by previous governments, and that Israel accepts and endorses the vision of two political entities co-existing in peace, security, and cooperation."
Barak reportedly also said that Israel would retain West Bank Jewish settlement blocs in any future agreement, while Palestinian refugees would remain outside Israel.
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That issue must be decided between Israel and Pakistan. Both Countries have very deep emotions concerning the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Since both Countries are members of the United Nations, it is upto the United Nations to help mediate an agreeable accord between these two Countries (if THEY ask for help), and not the United States.
Maybe I have (one of many) the misconception, but I was taught that the United Nations was to promote well-being, discuss world issues, and to help mediate, any conflicts between all member Countries.
There are about 192 members, that would mean there could be 192 possible solutions that could be discussed, to bring about a peaceful end to their contiued struggle with this issue.
Let the UN do what it was meant to do, and the United States, pay more attention to our own Country.
I do however agree with your statement - "America is not going to solve the West Bank and Gaza Strip issue, nor should we try." But to the extent that the US is member of the United Nations, we should ALL try and hope for a positive solution to this centuries old conflict.