Israel Update, 23.03.07 by Deborah Brown

Egypt has urged Israel to approve the Saudi peace initiative ‘land-for-peace’, first proposed at the Beirut Arab Summit in 2002, so that negotiations with the Palestinians can begin.

The 2002 plan, which is expected to be reviewed and revived at the Arab summit later this month requires Israel to fully withdraw from the land captured in the six day war in ’67, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as the capital, and for  Palestinian refugees to be allowed to return to homes in Israel. The plan proposes that in return, Israel will receive recognition and most importantly, peace.

After a rejection from Israel, contesting the Palestinian right of return most significantly, on Thursday Ehud Olmert indicated an interest in using the initiative for negotiations.

Today, Shimon Perez said that going to war with Lebanon was a mistake, saying that the military “was not prepared for this war” and that we are now seen as being weaker than we were before. He argued that Hezbollah, having found an effective spokesperson (Hassan Nasrallah) has been more successful than Israel at gaining favourable news coverage. It would seem that Perez’s decision to keep quiet about his feelings in Cabinet meetings was a tactical move, to appear united to the public.

Gilad Shalit: abducted IDF soldier

Although on Thursday, the president of the PNA, Mahmoud Abbas said that a framework agreement had been made entailing a prisoner swap and that “the process is happening quickly”, after meeting with Abbas on Friday, MK Ahmed Tibi has stated that although the matter of Shalit’s release was not closed, “I did not understand from him that this matter was going to be solved at any moment.” Due to the nature of the Palestinian terror groups, the government are unable of taking control of the crisis straight away. If, however, as Mustafa Barghouti commented, Israel were to accept the initiative put forward by Egypt for Hamas, the issue would be resolved. As always, every issue is used as a bargaining tool.

To update on the abduction of BBC journalist Alan Johnston, on Monday his father, Graham Johnston made an appeal, saying that he was a friend to the Palestinian people. No information has been released about his whereabouts or his condition, but the EU, The Arab League, the UK Government & International groups have been voiced their support for his freedom.

The son of Marwan Barghouti, Quassam Barghouti, 21 has been released on bail after 34months in jail. Israeli officials arrested him in 2003 after crossing from Jordan into the West Bank. He was convicted of weapons possessions but is still on probation as he is still being considered for other charges. Qassam Barghouti described his freedom as “bittersweet” as including his father, more 9000 prisoners are still held by Israel.