RAMALLAH, September 25 (JMCC) - Ahead of a cabinet meeting scheduled for Monday, Israeli politicians are expressing support for a
Quartet plan to return Palestinians and Israelis to negotiations.
The plan calls for a meeting in one month's time that would set an agenda for bilateral talks and an agreement by the end of 2012.
The Quartet did not address ongoing Israeli settlement construction or refer to the 1967 borders, both conditions Palestinians have set for the resumption of talks. It also does not address Israel's demand that Palestinians recognize the Jewishness of the state.
Right-wing Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman said Israel should accept the Quartet plan,
reports the Jerusalem Post.
We must be grateful to the United States for their assistance in events surrounding the embassy in Cairo and [Obama's] General Assembly speech, and we should therefore accept the International Quartet's proposal, despite reservations, Lieberman said.
Mahmoud Abbas fled immediately after his speech, so that we could not, God forbid, negotiate, the foreign minister said. The Palestinians make up excuses not to negotiate all the time. Those who want excuses will find them. Mahmoud Abbas continues to demand the right of return, and if a Palestinian state is established in Judea and Samaria, he will still want to send the refugees to Israeli territory .
Israeli President Shimon Peres also praised the Quartet plan, according to the newspaper.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will discuss the Palestinian position on the Quartet statement with the PLO leadership in Ramallah Sunday evening.