Israeli PM mulls land transfers to Palestinians ahead of Obama's visit

Source:Xinhua Published: 2013-3-5 20:30:01

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is mulling lands transfers to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) as a gesture of good will ahead of the planned visit of US President Barack Obama to the Middle East region.

Obama is scheduled to arrive in Israel on March 20 in his first visit as a US president (he visited Israel while he was running for office in 2008.)

The move would be part of a series of gestures on behalf of the Israeli government to the PNA including the release of 123 Palestinian prisoners and transfer of light weapons, the Ma'ariv daily reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, Israel would hand over control of two West Bank roads to the PNA. The two roads are located in the West bank, one leading to the new Palestinian city of Rawabi and another to the city of Tul-Karem.

Furthermore, the gestures will also include approval on plans for construction of ten Palestinian villages that are currently deemed illegal by the Israeli authorities, the report said.

According to the report, understandings over the new Israeli moves were reached during Netanyahu's meetings with the international quartet's envoy to the Middle East, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

In a taped speech aired on Monday during a convention of a pro- Israeli lobby in Washington DC, Netanyahu said that Israel is " preparing for a meaningful compromise" regarding the peace talks with the Palestinians.

"Israel seeks peace with our Palestinian neighbors, that will end the conflict once and for all...grounded in reality and in security," Netanyahu said.

There were several reports over the past days that Obama might cancel his trip to Israel due to the ongoing efforts by Netanyahu to build a government. However, the White House on Monday declared there are no changes to Obama's schedule.

Netanyahu was given a 14-day extension from President Shimon Peres to form a government following the Jan.-22 elections starting from Sunday. This means the new government would be announced on March 17, just three days before Obama's visit.



Posted in: Mid-East

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