Israel always the enemy
Hamas leaders made their first appearances at public events since Israel’s Gaza war on Friday, signalling defiance of rival Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as he discussed peace prospects with a U.S. envoy. “We cannot, we will not, and we will never recognize the enemy in any way, shape or form,” Mahmoud Zahar, one of the two leaders, said in a mosque sermon broadcast on the Islamist movement’s radio station.
Recognize Israel, first: Bibi
The Palestinians should recognize Israel as a Jewish state before Israel commits to peace talks, Benjamin Netanyahu said. “Israel expects the Palestinians to first recognize Israel as a Jewish state before talking about two states for two peoples,” Israel’s prime minister told George Mitchell, U.S. President Barack Obama’s Mideast envoy, during an April 16 meeting in Jerusalem, a senior official in Netanyahu’s office told Israeli media. In meetings with Israeli officials, Mitchell said U.S. policy favours the creation of a Palestinian state. Mitchell met Israel’s foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman on April 16 after a meeting with President Shimon Peres and an April 15 meeting with Defence Minister Ehud Barak. Mitchell also met opposition leader Tzipi Livni.
No talking to Lieberman
Egypt’s foreign minister said his country won’t deal with Israel’s foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman. Ahmed Abul Gheit said in an interview with Russia Today television that his country would work with Israel and any of its proposals, but not through Lieberman. “Of course he will not visit Cairo as long as his positions remain unchanged,” Gheit added. Last year during a Knesset session, Lieberman said Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak could “go to hell” if he was not interested in visiting Israel. Lieberman backtracked during a speech at a ceremony earlier this month marking the start of his tenure in office, when he said he would like to visit Egypt and welcomed its leaders to Israel, saying Egypt is key to achieving regional stability.
Peres dismisses Iran speculation
President Shimon Peres on April 16 dismissed speculations that Israel is planning to attack Iran over its contentious nuclear program. Peres told visiting U.S. special Mideast envoy George Mitchell that the key to containing Iran’s nuclear ambitions would not be found in a military realm.
“All the talk about a possible attack by Israel on Iran is not true,” Peres said. “The solution in Iran is not military.” He said that progress with Iran depended on international co-operation and exploring whether dialogue presented a real opportunity or if Tehran was just stalling, according to a statement from Peres’ office.
IAF strikes in Gaza
The Israeli Air Force hit a house in Gaza that was rigged with explosives a day after a Qassam rocket was fired on southern Israel. The attack took place April 16 as U.S. President Barack Obama’s Mideast envoy, George Mitchell, was meeting with Israeli military Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi. It was Israel’s first strike on Gaza in more than a month. The Qassam fired April 15 was the first attack on southern Israel in two weeks.
– files from JTA and Ha’aretz
