- Title: WEST BANK: JEWISH SETTLERS EXPRESS OBJECTION TO ROAD MAP PEACE PLAN.
- Date: 4th June 2003
- Summary: (U7) OFRA SETTLEMENT, WEST BANK (JUNE 3, 2003) (REUTERS) 1. MV: DANIEL KASSUTO, OFRA SETTLER POINTING AT CAR STICKER AGAINST THE OSLO AGREEMENT 0.03 2. MCU: (SOUNDBIE)(English) DANIEL KASSUTO SAYING "It is one of many attempts that will not lead to anything. Because the Arabs will never accept us as a Jewish state amongst Arab states, they say it n
- Embargoed: 19th June 2003 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: OFRA, WEST BANK
- City:
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Reuters ID: LVA9CO2B6Q2LFLWFVWA8R5MKINOR
- Story Text: On the eve of a crucial Middle East summit, Jewish
settlers in the West Bank settlement of Ofra have expressed
their objection to the road map peace plan. The settlements
are one of the main issues in the roadmap, with Israel
expected to dismantle settlement outposts erected since March
2001 and freeze expansion of all settlements in the West Bank
and Gaza Strip.
Palestinian, Israeli and U.S leaders will hold talks in
the Jordanian city of Aqaba on Wednesday (June 4, 2003) to discuss
the implementation of the roadmap peace plan. The U.S.-backed
plan sets a course for an end to 32 months of violence and
calls for creation of a Palestinian state by 2005.
Back at home, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon faces
opposition from his right-wing coalition partners, headed by
various settler groups.
Less than a day before the trilateral talks commence in
Aqaba, Israelis in the West Bank Ofra settlement expressed
their anger at the roadmap, which includes an Israeli removal
of illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank and the Gaza
Strip being one of the key issues during the talks.
"It is one of many attempts that will not lead to
anything. Because the Arabs will never accept us as a Jewish
state amongst Arab states, they say it now, they will say it
again, they are not going to give up that point," said settler
Daniel Kassuto.
"I think it's funny weird, I don't know how to explain it,
why we keep repeating the same mistakes. For me the road map
is the same as Oslo it's the same thing so I don't know why we
are not learning the lesson, that there is no partner, there
is no one to talk to, we can give them whatever we want it
will not help the situation, The situation will stay as it is,
because the dispute is too strong and too deep, and it can not
be solved not with a fence, not with road maps, not with Oslo,
not with anything like that, it is much more rooted in both
the Jews and the Arabs," said settler Tali Hass.
Ofra is one of the oldest settlements in the West Bank,
situated outside the Palestinian city of Ramallah.
More than 200,000 Jews live in settlements scattered across
the West Bank and Gaza. The international community considers
the settlements illegal, although Israel disputes this. The
outposts were built over the years on hilltops outside
existing settlements, in an effort to expand the settlements.
Earlier this week, Israeli media said Sharon is planning
to announce on Wednesday the dismantling of 10 illegal
settlement outposts in the West Bank.
Jordan's King Abdullah who will host the summit said on
Sunday that the summit signalled the start of a push to bring
permanent Arab-Israeli peace.
U.S. President George W. Bush will attend the Aqaba summit
with Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas in a
bid to move forward the latest "road map" to peace.
Abdullah will be the only Arab leader to attend both
Bush's meeting with Arab leaders in Egypt on Tuesday and the
Aqaba summit.
Under the road map, drawn up by the United States, United
Nations, European Union and Russia, Israel and the
Palestinians are to take reciprocal steps leading to a
Palestinian state in 2005.
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