In a statement from its Foreign Ministry Friday, Russia reiterated its support of a sovereign Palestinian state within the borderlines before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. It also urged Israel to facilitate further dialogue with the Palestinians by extending the current freeze on new settlement construction on Arab land.
The freeze was called last November and should stay in force until late this month. Its imposition persuaded the Palestinians to enter the latest edition of direct negotiations with Israel, started in Washington on Thursday.
The Middle East peace process is being pushed by four big-power mediators - Russia, the United States, the United Nations and the European Union. In 1993, they first managed to bring the sides to face-to-face talks. Between 2000 and 2007, these talks were on hold, as the Palestinians waged their second Intifada against Israel. They again broke down in late 2008, when Israel invaded Gaza. The meeting in Washington revived them after 20 months.
The Russian Middle East analyst Dr. Boris Dolgov weighs the positions and motives of the negotiating sides.
The motives for the Fatah leader and West Bank ruler
In a statement from its Foreign Ministry Friday, Russia reiterated support of a sovereign Palestinian state within the borderlines before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. It also urged Israel to facilitate further dialogue with the Palestinians by extending the current freeze on new settlement construction on Arab land.
The freeze was called last November and should stay in force until late this month. Its imposition persuaded the Palestinians to enter the latest edition of direct negotiations with Israel, started in Washington on Thursday.
The Middle East peace process is being pushed by four big-power mediators - Russia, the United States, the United Nations and the European Union.In 1993, they first managed to bring the sides to face-to-face talks. Between 2000 and 2007, these talks were on hold, as the Palestinians waged their second Intifada against Israel. They again broke down in late 2008, when Israel invaded Gaza. The meeting in Washington revived them after 20 months.
The Russian Middle East analyst Dr. Boris Dolgov weighs the positions and motives of the negotiating sides.
The motives for the Fatah leader and West Bank ruler Mahmoud Abbas are twofold. First, he hopes a successful outcome can bolster his leadership position as he continues to govern beyond his latest term as Palestinian President. Second, he believes progress at the talks can help him subdue clamour by the Gaza rulers Hamas that he represents just a fraction of the Palestinian people.
As far as Israel is concerned, it sat down for talks under pressure from big powers including the United States. This means any significant concessions on the Israeli side are highly unlikely. The Israeli leaders say their country needs security, and the latter cannot be ensured without reliance on force.
are twofold. First, he hopes a successful outcome can bolster his leadership position as he continues to govern beyond his latest term as Palestinian President. Second, he believes progress at the talks can help him subdue clamour by the Gaza rulers Hamas that he represents just a fraction of the Palestinian people.
As far as Israel is concerned, it sat down for talks under pressure from big powers including the United States. This means any significant concessions on the Israeli side are highly unlikely. The Israeli leaders say their country needs security, and the latter cannot be ensured without reliance on force.
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