Bibi watch: Countdown to furious denial

Posted on 07/28/2007 by Meryl Yourish

How long you figure it will take Bibi Netanyahu to deny this article? I say the moment Shabbat ends, he holds a press conference or sends out his statement to the press.

Egyptian FM: Bibi not opposed to Arab initiative

[…] Abul Gheit said opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu told him during talks in Jerusalem earlier this week that he was not opposed to the initiative. Netanyahu was said to be opposed to the Arab peace plan because he redeemed it dangerous to Israel’s security.

“We presented to him the Arab position. Netanyahu focused on the importance of economic cooperation between Israel and the Palestinians to benefit the Palestinians. We also spoke about the need to revive the peace process,” Gheit told al-Ahram.

“In general I can say that Netanyahu does not express opposition to the Arab initiative although he wanted to check some points, especially in relation to the Palestinian refugees. He wanted to know the principles of the initiative. In a general manner he did not rule out the initiative,” he added.

Yeah, countdown to the denial in one, two….

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4 Responses to Bibi watch: Countdown to furious denial

  1. Sabba Hillel says:
    07/28/2007 at 9:59 pm

    Consider this or this from last Wednesday. I would say that the statement is a deliberate misquote of what Bibi said.

    Israel: Netanyahu Nays Saudi Peace Plan

    Tel Aviv, Jul 25 The leader of the Israeli rightwing in the Knesset , Benjamin Netanyahu, rejected the peace plan of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, after meeting in Jerusalem with Jordanian and Egyptian Foreign Ministers Abdul Ilah al Jatib and Ahmed Abul Gheit, respectively.

    In his press statement, Nentayahu took the traditional stance of conservative politicians, linking the withdrawal from the Arab territories with the establishment there of bases of “radical Islam.”

    However, despite his negative stance, Netanyahu expressed his support to economic cooperation and joint plans in the region.

    The meeting with the leader of the Likud party was the first held by the visitors, who represent the Arab League in its effort to present the Saudi peace initiative. They also met with Israeli President Shimon Peres, telling him their hopes that Tel Aviv positively responds to the Arab League proposal.

    The Saudi initiative approved by the Pan Arab organization five years ago also includes the recognition of Israel by the members of the league in return for its withdrawal from territories occupied in the June 1967 war, as well as the creation of an independent Palestinian State.

  2. Sabba Hillel says:
    07/28/2007 at 10:04 pm

    Also check this out. See the section that I emphasized.

    Headline News
    Wednesday, July 25, 2007 by Staff Writer

    Netanyahu: Economy, not land, as basis for peace

    Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu met with the visiting foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan in Jerusalem on Wednesday, and informed them that if he becomes prime minister in the near future, the Saudi-authored Arab League peace initiative will no longer have Israel’s approval.

    Netanyahu was quoted by Ynet as saying that, under his leadership, economic ties and prosperity “will be a leverage for peace,” rather than the failed practice of surrendering land for what have proven to be worthless Arab commitments to end incitement and violence against the Jewish state.

    “The withdrawal from Gaza two years ago proved that any Israeli withdrawal, particularly a unilateral one, does not advance peace but establishes a terror base for radical Islam,” said the Likud Party leader.

    The Arab League peace plan calls for Israel to withdraw from every inch of land captured in the 1967 Six Day War, including the eastern half of Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, in exchange for a commitment from all Israel’s Arab neighbors to eventually normalize ties.

    On Tuesday, Netanyahu launched what appeared to be a national electoral campaign, apparently confident of the immiment downfall of the Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s government.

  3. Ed Hausman says:
    07/29/2007 at 2:45 am

    They also met with Israeli President Shimon Peres, telling him their hopes that Tel Aviv positively responds to the Arab League proposal.

    I bet Tel Aviv does respond positively, but … what does Jerusalem, Israel’s capital, think of the proposal?

    Throw the bums out.

  4. Paul says:
    07/29/2007 at 8:37 am

    Say it ain’t so Bibi !!!

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