Barak Says 'Both Sides Must Move'

W460

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday said that for progress to be made in the thorny clash at the United Nations over Palestinian statehood, both sides will have to give.

"It's up to us, and mainly to our counterpart, the Palestinian leadership, Mahmud Abbas, and to others, to show the leadership and start to move," Barak told CNN television.

As the Palestinians seek statehood at the U.N., the United States and several European countries have been trying to head off the Palestinians. They have offered the prospect of new peace negotiations with Israel ahead without any credible sign of a resumption of talks.

"It's not easy at the moment," Barak stressed, when asked if an agreement might be within reach.

But "I hope and I believe that a way should be found to make it a launching pad for a new momentum to resume negotiations. No conditions in order to strike a deal. I believe that it's possible. Both of us are powerful, two states, two people.

"I think the differences are not insurmountable," the former prime minister added.

Comments 1
Default-user-icon Danny B (Guest) 21 September 2011, 23:36

mowaten: and when exactly the Palestinian and Arabs would have sent the Jews if Jews lost in 1948. you should blame only the Arabian countries and Palestinian who followed them believing that Jews will be kicked out from Palestine within 3 days. After loosing the battle still Arabian countries supported Palestinian with weapons and incitement. this dhows the solidarity of Arabian countries with Palestinian. Matter of fact, Arabian Citizen living under the "Zionist " having more democracy and civil rights than in any other Arabian country.