U.S. DOES WHAT ISRAEL WANTS
Since the talks between Israel and the Palestinians stopped in December 2008 after Israel approved a series of plans to construct in Jewish settlements in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem, the Palestinians have been trying to attract the attention of the U.S. and urging it to pressure on Israel.
However, Talal Oukal, a Gaza-based political analyst, said that the U.S. positions have always served Israel's interests, adding " the U.S. has always adopted Israel's political stances against the Arabs and the Palestinians, and always done what Israel wants."
"Therefore, pushing the Palestinians towards accepting the direct negotiations with Israel without achieving any progress in the proximity talks means that the Palestinians are reversing back to the first quarter of the negotiations. Exactly the quarter that Israel wants," Oukal told Xinhua.
The PNA, now in a weak position, is trying its best through the Arab friends of the U.S. to exert more pressure on Israel to do something that shows a progress has been achieved, mainly extending the period of freezing settlement, or carrying out goodwill gestures such as releasing prisoners.
"I would advise the Palestinian National Authority not to accept to go for direct talks as long as the proximity talks have achieved nothing," said Oukal, adding "even if the direct talks with Israel are resumed, I don't think it will achieve a breakthrough, but only a waste of more time."
Special Report: Palestine-Israel Conflicts
