[02/November/2009]

Abu Dhabi, Nov. 02 (Saba) Two major English language newspapers of UAE have said that unless United States pushes Israel to fall in line and resolve all its issues with the Palestinians,
including the Palestinian land it has occupied, there is no hope for the Middle East peace process, UAE News Agency (WAM) reported on Monday.

They added that the first crucial step to restart this process is the immediate and total freeze on Israeli settlements on Palestinian land In its today's editorial the Dubai-based Gulf News while
refering to the recent visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that "Her regional tour was much touted as "a serious push" to restart the dormant peace negotiations. There is a
consensus in the region and beyond, even among key officials of the Obama administration, that the unabated Israeli expansion of colonies must be halted before any "meaningful" talks could begin".

"But Clinton seems to have another point of view. She thinks that the Israel's announcement that it will "restrain" colony building is something of a concession worthy of praise. She even tried to
intimidate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas into agreeing to restart talks with the Israelis without even a promise of halting the construction of colonies", the paper noted.

The paper while quoting Palestinian officials has said that Clinton has requested that Abbas allow Israel's government to complete building 3,000 units in Jewish colonies in the West Bank, and to
allow the government to construct public buildings and continue construction in occupied east Jerusalem.

"By US and UN definition these projects are illegal. Nevertheless, the American Secretary of State tried to get the Palestinians to give away their undisputed right to their native land. If this is
the American idea of an honest broker, who needs enemies, questioned the paper? Another UAE daily, Khaleej Times in its today's editorial titled " Stop the Settlements First, Obama" has said that Israel is in the dock. The five-member UN commission headed by Justice Richard
Goldstone has found the regime in Tel Aviv guilty of ?war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity.' The commission findings are before the UN Security Council and General Assembly. The UN is to debate the report this week.

"With both Libya and Turkey currently head General Assembly and Security Council respectively pushing for action against Israel, all eyes are on the world body and its ability to protect peace and
administer justice to a long oppressed and persecuted people", it observed.

So the last thing the Palestinians want right now is more talks with Israel. Especially when they haven't delivered anything all these years. President Abbas understood this when he refused to play the ball even when repeatedly pushed by the Americans. Which is how it should be. For the ball lies in Israel's court. The Palestinians are the aggrieved party. If America - and the world - wants peace, it has to push the Israelis, not the Palestinians who have nothing more to offer, it explained.

Saba