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Yedioth Ahronoth: "Netanyahu: 'We've Moved Forward, The Palestinians Haven't'"

Aug. 26, 2009

by Shimon Shiffer et al.

In the course of his meeting with Brown, Netanyahu said that he would keep his promise to allow normal life to continue for the settlers. In other words, construction would continue to expand current settlements as well as public facilities -- but no new settlements would be created.

   The formula now taking shape will be discussed today in the course of Netanyahu's meeting with special US envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell. Mitchell is holding a series of talks with representatives from both sides of the conflict in order to restart negotiations over a permanent status agreement and to convene an international event at which renewed negotiations with Syria and Lebanon will also be discussed.

  Tomorrow Netanyahu will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

  A week following the tour of the outposts by right wing minister, yesterday came the turn of the leftists -- MKs Ophir Pines, Haim Oron, Daniel Ben Simon and former MKs Mossi Raz, Zehava Galon and Tzali Reshef who visited the outposts together with Peace Now activists. MK Daniel Ben Simon of Labor said: "The Labor Party did not join the government in order to take part in the establishment of new outposts. I have a promise from Defense Minister Barak that the outposts will be removed within two months. If by the end of the recess the outpost shame is not eliminated, I will recommend that Labor leave the coalition." Associates of Barak refused to confirm the statement but stressed: "the defense minister has committed several times before the media that the evacuation of outposts is our obligation as a democratic state. This will take place within a matter of weeks to months, not years."