Sunday, June 19, 2011

The Pragmatism of Ehud Barak

Reported

Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak said Friday Israel could not stop settlement construction in Jerusalem and the West Bank citing what he called "natural growth" of the settlements.

In an interview with France 24 television channel in an interview that part of what had been built might go to Palestinians under a negotiated settlement.

"If we have a breakthrough, it will delineate a border. If there’s a building that ends up on the Palestinian side of a mutually agreed border, why should they care – they will get it." Likewise, he added, "If it ends up on the Israeli side of a mutually agreed upon border, why should they care. It’s on our side anyhow," he explained.

And

Settlements, he insisted, are "not the real issue when coming to negotiations."


Here, see for yourselves. Starts around the 5 minute mark.

50-50 is very good as odds for "peace negotiations" (see 3:50).

But this is better news:

Cabinet expected to curtail Barak's power to veto West Bank settlement construction - Anticipated decision would move control of World Zionist Organization's Settlement Division from Agriculture Ministry to Prime Minister's Office.

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