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Friday, March 24, 2017
Text: Joint readout on the United States-Israeli Consultations

Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA:

1. "The United States delegation reiterated President Trump’s concerns
regarding settlement activity in the context of moving towards a peace
agreement." Take note that Barak Ravid of Haaretz reported recently that
the American proposal is a return to the Bush era letters exchange that
provides for UNLIMITED construction within the "construction line" (namely
the area zoned for construction) of EVERY Israeli community - not just those
within the amorphous "settlement blocs". While such an arrangement would
make it possible to build thousands, tens of thousands - or even more -
housing units, this matter has yet to be concluded.

2. The wording "takes those concerns into consideration" is the most
noncommittal possible diplomatic wording.

3. The reference to "advancing issues regarding electricity and water in
ways that will benefit both Israel and the Palestinians" alludes to a
problem the Palestinians introduced by insisting that Israelis must not
benefit from infrastructure projects. For example, the Palestinians would
rather continue polluting the water table dumping untreated sewage water
than send the sewage water to a regional water treatment facility that also
serves Israeli communities in the region.
===========

Joint readout on the United States-Israeli Consultations
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2017

[as reported by Derick Dilsworth
http://www.yc.news/2017/03/23/joint-readout-on-the-united-states-israeli-consultations/

Senior-level United States and Israeli delegations concluded today four days
of intensive discussions, with a particular focus on concrete, near-term
measures to improve the overall climate in order to advance the prospects
for a genuine and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

The United States delegation was led by Jason Greenblatt, President Donald
J. Trump’s Special Representative for International Negotiations, and
included representatives of the National Security Council staff and the
Department of State. The Israeli delegation was led by the Chief of Staff to
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Horowitz, and included
Israeli Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer and representatives of
the Israeli National Security Council and office of the Prime Minister. The
issues the two delegations discussed are exceptionally complicated, and the
fact that both governments dedicated such senior delegations for nearly a
full week of talks reflects the close cooperation between the two countries
and the importance both assign to this vital task.

A principal focus of the discussions was specific measures that could have a
meaningful impact on the economic environment in the West Bank and Gaza,
allowing the Palestinians to more fully realize their economic potential.
The Israelis welcomed United States interest in continuing to play a
facilitating role in advancing issues regarding electricity and water in
ways that will benefit both Israel and the Palestinians and also move the
Palestinians toward self-sustainability in these crucial areas.

Following up on discussions Mr. Greenblatt had in Ramallah last week, the
two sides agreed on the importance of implementing measures benefitting the
people of Gaza, and in that regard, the delegations discussed the necessity
of all parties to the 2014 Gaza Reconstruction Conference in Cairo
fulfilling their pledges to bring humanitarian relief and economic
development to Gaza in ways that benefit the population without further
empowering Hamas or other terrorist organizations.

The two delegations also discussed Israeli settlement construction,
following up on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to Washington and Mr.
Greenblatt’s recent visit to Israel. The United States delegation reiterated
President Trump’s concerns regarding settlement activity in the context of
moving towards a peace agreement. The Israeli delegation made clear that
Israel’s intent going forward is to adopt a policy regarding settlement
activity that takes those concerns into consideration. The talks were
serious and constructive, and they are ongoing.
________________________________________
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Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on
Arab-Israeli relations

Website: www.imra.org.il

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