PA Foreign Minister says negotiations have failed, so strategy is to isolate Israel in the international arena
From statements made by PA Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyad Al-Malki, to the WAFA agency and Egyptian news agencies:
Headline: “Al-Malki: ‘What was agreed upon among the Palestinian leadership has been adopted by the Arab [leadership]’”
“[PA] Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyad Al-Malki… stated that President Mahmoud Abbas emphasized in his speech to the Arab Peace Initiative committee that the Palestinian leadership is willing to resume negotiations with the Israeli side if Israel commits to releasing the fourth and last group [of prisoners, see note] arrested before the Oslo [Accords], and to stop its settlement activities. Al-Malki stated that it is important that this be a clear message to every country or group of countries that considers making an effort to awaken international interest in the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, because in principle the Palestinian people is willing [to renew the peace process], and there are no conditions other than obligations Israel needs to fulfill in order to create the atmosphere and conditions appropriate for our return to the negotiations.
He added: ‘We understand that the Israeli side is not interested in negotiations, as it repeatedly proclaim its refusal to resume negotiations, and opposes a two-state solution, a withdrawal, a cessation of settlement activity, etc. It did not demonstrate any interest in resuming negotiations, and therefore at the same time we want to show the world the extent of the willingness of the Palestinian side, versus the recalcitrance of the Israeli side. The matter needs to be translated into results that will benefit the Palestinians, including forcing the countries who committed to recognizing the State of Palestine if the negotiations do not advance [to keep their promise], or punishing the Israeli side, which demonstrates no interest or willingness to take part in any future negotiations.’ Al-Malki noted: ‘The Palestinian side has discovered in recent years that there are other tracks, no less important than negotiations. These tracks are related to international political activity, diplomatic activity, and legal frameworks, and therefore the Palestinian leadership is working vigorously to implement them. This is what has led us to the achievements we have registered in recent years, which have contributed to the increase in Palestinian successes/accomplishments and the increased isolation of Israel in the international level. This [activation of international tracks?] has to continue in the future, as we believe it would lead to additional successes, and contribute to Israel’s further isolation.’”
The fourth group – In August 2013, Israel agreed to release 104 Palestinian terrorists from prison, which was the PA's precondition for renewing peace talks. The terrorists were released in stages. The first group of 26 was released on Aug. 13, 2013. The second group of 26 was released on Oct. 30, 2013. The third group of 26 was released on Dec. 30, 2013. The fourth group was scheduled to be released on March 29, 2014, but Israel delayed their release while negotiating the terms for continuation of the peace talks. When the PA submitted requests for admission as a state to several international bodies, Israel cancelled the release.
Some of the prisoners included in the fourth group:
Muhammad Adel Daoud is serving a life sentence for murdering Ofra Moses, who was pregnant, and her 5-year-old son, Tal Moses, by throwing a Molotov cocktail at their car (April 11, 1987).
Jum’a Adam and Mahmoud Abu Kharabish – each serving a life sentence for throwing A Molotov cocktails at an Israeli bus in Jericho in 1988, killing a woman, her three children, and an Israeli soldier who tried to rescue them.
Diya Zakariya Shaker Al-Agha "Al-Faluji" - serving a life sentence for beating Israeli citizen Amatzia Ben Haim to death with a shovel in the Gaza Strip (Oct. 11, 1992).
Bashir Al-Khatib – serving 35 years in prison, a member of Fatah’s ‘Force 17′ – who murdered Israeli citizen Chaim Hai Hartouk in order to allow Fatah to make use of the victim’s body for the purpose of a prisoner exchange deal.
Fares Baroud – serving a life sentence for murdering Israeli citizen Mordechai Roitman and wounding three others in a furniture store in Hadera, in 1991.
Karim Younes and Maher Younes- Israeli Arabs, serving 40-year sentences for kidnapping and killing Israeli soldier Avraham Bromberg together in 1980. Originally sentenced to life in prison, but Israeli President Shimon Peres reduced their sentences in 2012.
Walid Daqqa - Israeli Arab member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). He is serving a life sentence for being part of the squad that kidnapped and murdered Israeli soldier Moshe Tamam in 1984.
Ahmad Abu Jaber – Israel Arab, serving a life sentence for his participation in the kidnapping and murder of Israeli soldier Akiva Shaltiel in 1985.
Ibrahim Agbaria, Yahia Agbaria, Muhammad Agbaria and Muhammad Jabarin–Israeli Arabs, each serving 3 life sentences for participating in the murder of three soldiers in a recruit training base in the north of Israel, in an incident known as the Night of Pitchforks (February 15, 1992)
Muhammad Falana – serving a life sentence for planting a bomb with an accomplice near the town of Dolev in the West Bank in 1992. One person was killed and 6 were injured in the bombing.
Nasser and Mahmoud Abu Sorour – serving a life sentence for participating in the murder of a member of Israeli Intelligence (Jan. 3, 1993).
Abd Al-Jawad Yusuf Shamasneh - serving four life sentences. Together with his brother Muhammad Yusuf Shamasneh and their cousin Ibrahim Shamasneh, he kidnapped teenagers Lior Tubul and Ronen Karmani and stabbed them to death (Aug. 4, 1990). In that same year, they also murdered taxi driver Rafi Doron. In addition, in March 1993 Abd Al-Jawad murdered Israeli soldier Yehoshua Freidberg, who had been hitchhiking and accepted a ride from him.
Mahmoud Issa Abu Al-Bara - serving 3 life sentences for participating in the kidnapping and murder of border guard soldier Nissim Toledano (Dec. 13, 1992), and attempting to murder two other soldiers.
Nael Salhab – serving 30 years in prison for his participation in the kidnapping and murder of Israeli soldier Yaron Chen (August 5, 1993)
Muhammad Al-Tous – a Fatah terrorist serving a life sentence for a series of crimes. He was the commander of a terrorist cell that attacked 5 civilian buses in September 1985, wounding 16 passengers. He also issued the command to murder Zalman Abolnik in March 1984 and Meir Ben Yair and Michal Cohen in July 1985, and took part in the murder of Mordechai Suissa and Edna Harari in October 1985. He has been in prison since 1985.
Headline: “Al-Malki: ‘What was agreed upon among the Palestinian leadership has been adopted by the Arab [leadership]’”
“[PA] Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyad Al-Malki… stated that President Mahmoud Abbas emphasized in his speech to the Arab Peace Initiative committee that the Palestinian leadership is willing to resume negotiations with the Israeli side if Israel commits to releasing the fourth and last group [of prisoners, see note] arrested before the Oslo [Accords], and to stop its settlement activities. Al-Malki stated that it is important that this be a clear message to every country or group of countries that considers making an effort to awaken international interest in the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, because in principle the Palestinian people is willing [to renew the peace process], and there are no conditions other than obligations Israel needs to fulfill in order to create the atmosphere and conditions appropriate for our return to the negotiations.
He added: ‘We understand that the Israeli side is not interested in negotiations, as it repeatedly proclaim its refusal to resume negotiations, and opposes a two-state solution, a withdrawal, a cessation of settlement activity, etc. It did not demonstrate any interest in resuming negotiations, and therefore at the same time we want to show the world the extent of the willingness of the Palestinian side, versus the recalcitrance of the Israeli side. The matter needs to be translated into results that will benefit the Palestinians, including forcing the countries who committed to recognizing the State of Palestine if the negotiations do not advance [to keep their promise], or punishing the Israeli side, which demonstrates no interest or willingness to take part in any future negotiations.’ Al-Malki noted: ‘The Palestinian side has discovered in recent years that there are other tracks, no less important than negotiations. These tracks are related to international political activity, diplomatic activity, and legal frameworks, and therefore the Palestinian leadership is working vigorously to implement them. This is what has led us to the achievements we have registered in recent years, which have contributed to the increase in Palestinian successes/accomplishments and the increased isolation of Israel in the international level. This [activation of international tracks?] has to continue in the future, as we believe it would lead to additional successes, and contribute to Israel’s further isolation.’”
The fourth group – In August 2013, Israel agreed to release 104 Palestinian terrorists from prison, which was the PA's precondition for renewing peace talks. The terrorists were released in stages. The first group of 26 was released on Aug. 13, 2013. The second group of 26 was released on Oct. 30, 2013. The third group of 26 was released on Dec. 30, 2013. The fourth group was scheduled to be released on March 29, 2014, but Israel delayed their release while negotiating the terms for continuation of the peace talks. When the PA submitted requests for admission as a state to several international bodies, Israel cancelled the release.
Some of the prisoners included in the fourth group:
Muhammad Adel Daoud is serving a life sentence for murdering Ofra Moses, who was pregnant, and her 5-year-old son, Tal Moses, by throwing a Molotov cocktail at their car (April 11, 1987).
Jum’a Adam and Mahmoud Abu Kharabish – each serving a life sentence for throwing A Molotov cocktails at an Israeli bus in Jericho in 1988, killing a woman, her three children, and an Israeli soldier who tried to rescue them.
Diya Zakariya Shaker Al-Agha "Al-Faluji" - serving a life sentence for beating Israeli citizen Amatzia Ben Haim to death with a shovel in the Gaza Strip (Oct. 11, 1992).
Bashir Al-Khatib – serving 35 years in prison, a member of Fatah’s ‘Force 17′ – who murdered Israeli citizen Chaim Hai Hartouk in order to allow Fatah to make use of the victim’s body for the purpose of a prisoner exchange deal.
Fares Baroud – serving a life sentence for murdering Israeli citizen Mordechai Roitman and wounding three others in a furniture store in Hadera, in 1991.
Karim Younes and Maher Younes- Israeli Arabs, serving 40-year sentences for kidnapping and killing Israeli soldier Avraham Bromberg together in 1980. Originally sentenced to life in prison, but Israeli President Shimon Peres reduced their sentences in 2012.
Walid Daqqa - Israeli Arab member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). He is serving a life sentence for being part of the squad that kidnapped and murdered Israeli soldier Moshe Tamam in 1984.
Ahmad Abu Jaber – Israel Arab, serving a life sentence for his participation in the kidnapping and murder of Israeli soldier Akiva Shaltiel in 1985.
Ibrahim Agbaria, Yahia Agbaria, Muhammad Agbaria and Muhammad Jabarin–Israeli Arabs, each serving 3 life sentences for participating in the murder of three soldiers in a recruit training base in the north of Israel, in an incident known as the Night of Pitchforks (February 15, 1992)
Muhammad Falana – serving a life sentence for planting a bomb with an accomplice near the town of Dolev in the West Bank in 1992. One person was killed and 6 were injured in the bombing.
Nasser and Mahmoud Abu Sorour – serving a life sentence for participating in the murder of a member of Israeli Intelligence (Jan. 3, 1993).
Abd Al-Jawad Yusuf Shamasneh - serving four life sentences. Together with his brother Muhammad Yusuf Shamasneh and their cousin Ibrahim Shamasneh, he kidnapped teenagers Lior Tubul and Ronen Karmani and stabbed them to death (Aug. 4, 1990). In that same year, they also murdered taxi driver Rafi Doron. In addition, in March 1993 Abd Al-Jawad murdered Israeli soldier Yehoshua Freidberg, who had been hitchhiking and accepted a ride from him.
Mahmoud Issa Abu Al-Bara - serving 3 life sentences for participating in the kidnapping and murder of border guard soldier Nissim Toledano (Dec. 13, 1992), and attempting to murder two other soldiers.
Nael Salhab – serving 30 years in prison for his participation in the kidnapping and murder of Israeli soldier Yaron Chen (August 5, 1993)
Muhammad Al-Tous – a Fatah terrorist serving a life sentence for a series of crimes. He was the commander of a terrorist cell that attacked 5 civilian buses in September 1985, wounding 16 passengers. He also issued the command to murder Zalman Abolnik in March 1984 and Meir Ben Yair and Michal Cohen in July 1985, and took part in the murder of Mordechai Suissa and Edna Harari in October 1985. He has been in prison since 1985.