Netanyahu at Davos: It takes three to tango for Mideast peace

[Jefferson23]

Israeli PM takes stage at Davos short time after Iran's Rohani. In speech, Netanyahu calls Israel 'innovation nation' and draws direct line between peace and Iran, saying Arab nations more concerned with nuclear Iran than Israel, 'removal of Iranian threat would help peace'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered an address at the annual economic forum in Davos on Thursday, focusing mainly on economic partnerships and Israel's entrepreneurial opportunities, but also taking questions on the peace process and Iran.

Following his address, the prime minister was asked about Israel's talks with the Palestinians and said that he was "ready for a real, genuine, secure peace," adding that he hoped Palestinian President Mahmoud "Abbas is too, because if he is, I'm sure our American friends will only help."

“I believe we can get there. It is difficult, but it is like riding a bicycle...you have to keep going. In order to make peace in the world, it takes two to tango, and the Middle East needs at least three,” Netanyahu said.

“It will not be a perfect peace,” Netanyahu continued, “but it is important for us, and I think it is important for our Palestinian partners, as well,” the prime minister said, stressing that “mutual recognition is vital to the solution. And because of the nature of the Middle East, we need very specific security arrangements on the ground. “

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4480282,00.html

[azurnoir]

1. so Iran is why Israel can't withdraw it's military from the West Bank

yes the 2 Iran and the WB are so physically close so much closer than Israel is to Iran that they must remain-did a bridge come with that sale Bibi?

[bemildred]

2. Iran causes pretty much everything. From what I understand. Huge threat, Iran. Godlike, really.

It's only a matter of time until the Persian Legions are crossing the Allenby Bridge.
Obilgatory:

But seriously, I thought it a good thing to have them both making their case before "world opinion" like that.

[Jefferson23]

3. Any excuse will do, right? Bibi seems on board...his words seem pretty clear, other than his

dumb ass remarks about Iran. Framework for the piece deal with Abbas seems likes it is moving
in the direction the US wants it to...unfortunately.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

5. Next excuse..,

The Persians are coming for our sodastream in the illegally held settlments!

[Jefferson23]

4. Netanyahu, Kerry discuss core conflict issues in Davos

Private meeting on summit sidelines aims to make progress on framework agreement with Palestinians.
By Barak Ravid | Jan. 24, 2014


Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, in Davos, to discuss the peace negotiations with the Palestinians.

Israeli and American officials said the meeting, held on Friday morning, focused on the details of the draft framework agreement that Kerry wants to present within a few weeks. The document would address all the core issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and become the basis for future negotiations.

Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who leads negotiations with the Palestinians, and Netanyahu's special envoy Isaac Molho, met with Kerry in Washington on Monday to lay the groundwork ahead for the Netanyahu-Kerry meet.

Livni and Molho on Tuesday met with American mediator Martin Indyk and continued to try and narrow the differences between Israel and the Palestinians regarding parts of the framework agreement.

Kerry is expected to mention the peace process in his speech in Davos later on Friday.

The U.S. secretary of state on Thursday told Al Arabiya that, at this stage, the sides were unable to bridge the differences and agree on a draft agreement.

"We’re still negotiating," he said. "We’re working in good faith with both of the parties. The leaders have been very, very committed to this process. My hope is we can achieve the framework for final status negotiations. But it’s very, very difficult and we have a lot of work to do."

The framework agreement, Kerry noted, would clarify how both sides see a final peace deal and the end of the conflict.

"The framework agreement would be the best thinking of both parties as to what the endgame of a peace agreement could look like and what they would agree to as a matter of principles as to how they would negotiate towards that endgame final status agreement… we don’t want an interim agreement – but … a final status agreement where you have end of conflict, end of claims, there’s a Palestinian state, there’s an end of occupation, and security for Israel is clear, and people can see the future."

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat is expected to visit Washington next week for similar talks with the U.S. administration.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.570359#