USA/WEST BANK: Israeli spokesman Mark Regev says peace talks will move forward despite new violence

Record ID: 566449

  • Title: USA/WEST BANK: Israeli spokesman Mark Regev says peace talks will move forward despite new violence
  • Date: 1st September 2010
  • Summary: WASHINGTON D.C. UNITED STATES (AUGUST 31, 2010) (REUTERS) WIDE OF REPORTER WITH ISRAELI SPOKESMAN MARK REGEV (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARK REGEV, ISRAELI SPOKESMAN, SAYING "You know we learned about today's terrorist attack on the plane here to Washington. It's almost symbolic in a negative way that flying to a conference that's supposed to restart the peace process that you have this sort of terrible attack. The prime minister spoke to the Defense minister and to other senior security personnel and was briefed about this attack. What is clear is that Israel should not have to tolerate this sort of horrific attack against innocent civilians and we will not tolerate these sort of attacks and this just underscores something that we have been talking about for months now that any peace agreement we reach has to be based upon security. There is no peace without security." HEBRON, WEST BANK (AUGUST 31, 2010) (REUTERS) ISRAELI SOLDIERS PUTTING SPIKES ON THE ROAD FOLLOWING A SHOOTING ATTACK THAT KILLED FOUR ISRAELIS ISRAELI SOLDIERS STANDING NEXT TO JEEP ISRAELI WOMAN HOLDING CHILD NEXT TO VEHICLE WASHINGTON D.C. UNITED STATES (AUGUST 31, 2010) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARK REGEV, ISRAELI SPOKESMAN, SAYING "The issue of the settlements along with all the other core issues of the conflict must be discussed around the negotiating table. Ultimately we have to put all the core issues to the conflict including the issue of settlements on the negotiating table." WIDE OF REGEV WITH REPORTER (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARK REGEV, ISRAELI SPOKESMAN, SAYING "I'm realistic. I know an agreement is possible. I know there are challenges. I know the gaps are wide. But I know the Israeli people dream of peace, the Israeli people want peace, the Israeli government is committed to peace. And if the Palestinian leadership comes to the table and shows vision and creativity as we are willing to do, an agreements indeed will be possible." HEBRON, WEST BANK (AUGUST 31, 2010) (REUTERS) MORE OF ISRAELI SOLDIERS WASHINGTON D.C. UNITED STATES (AUGUST 31, 2010) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARK REGEV, ISRAELI SPOKESMAN, SAYING: "There are people in Israel who have called on Prime Minister Netanyahu to return home. That is not-- I repeat-- that is not our intention. We want to move ahead in this peace process. We are not looking for excuses to call this off. But neither should the other side."
  • Embargoed: 16th September 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA15Z5QSNS8RGXMJ26Z3YYACK2B
  • Story Text: Israeli spokesman Mark Regev said Tuesday (August 31) his government is fully committed to direct peace talks with Palestinians despite new violence flaring over Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.
    Four Israeli settlers were shot dead in an attack the Islamist Palestinian group Hamas said was an assault on the peace process.
    In an interview with Reuters television, Regev played down suggestions the attack might undercut Washington's hopes that Thursday's talks will launch a process that will result in a peace deal within one year.
    "There are people in Israel who have called on Prime Minister Netanyahu to return home. That is not-- I repeat-- that is not our intention. We want to move ahead in this peace process. We are not looking for excuses to call this off. But neither should the other side," Regev said.
    "You know we learned about today's terrorist attack on the plane here to Washington. It's almost symbolic in a negative way that flying to a conference that's supposed to restart the peace process that you have this sort of terrible attack," Regev said, adding that there will be no peace for Israel with security.
    The White House and the Palestinians have both condemned the attack.
    Israel's partial, self-imposed moratorium on new building in the West Bank expires on Sept. 26. The Palestinians have threatened to pull out of the talks unless the moratorium is extended but Netanyahu, who heads a government dominated by pro-settler parties including his own, has given no sign he is ready to take that step.
    Regev declined to speak directly about the moratorium but said the issue of settlements and other important issues must be addressed at the negotiating table.
    Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas earlier Tuesday and was also due to see Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later that evening.
    Direct peace talks are set to resume in Washington between Palestinians and Israelis after almost a 2-year absence.
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