Arab leaders give OK for direct Palestinian talks with Israel

[Ross K]

Source: CNN.com

Cairo, Egypt (CNN) -- Arab leaders gave the Palestinian Authority on Thursday the green light for direct talks with Israel, a move that prompted the Israeli prime minister to say his country is ready for the face-to-face talks as well.

"In response to the decisions of the Arab League, PM Benjamin Netanyahu says that he is willing to commence direct and honest talks with the Palestinian Authority within the next few days," the Israeli prime minister's office said.

"Through direct negotiations it will become possible to quickly reach a peace agreement between the two nations."

The Arab League made it clear it is now up to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas whether to enter direct talks with Israel.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/07/29/israel.palestinians.talks/index.html

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Whew! Thank God that's almost over with!

[Chulanowa]

1. Israel gets to dust off the ol' barrel, yay!

Hasn't been a Palestinian leader bent over it in a while, it was starting to get dusty.

[Jim Sagle]

2. Positive sign, no matter what the crazies say.

[Ross K]

3. Unfortunately,

there are enough crazies on either side to fuck up the whole damn thing.

[HankyDubs]

4. Yeah, unfortunately

Its hard not to be cynical at this point.

It seems to be cyclical. If there hasn't been enough violence for a certain period of time, ME peace talks begin. As soon as there is a risk that a solution might be found, one side or the other sends its death squads out and sets a few Reichstag fires. Everyone feigns outrage and there is a period of ultra violence. The violence dies down for a few weeks, and then we hear about new ME peace talks. As soon as there is a risk that a solution might be found...

[aquart]

5. The PA? does that mean Fatah? The West Bank, not Gaza?

I adore a good wily move.

[Turborama]

6. Help me out here, why does it need the Arab leaders' to give the PA a "green light"

before talks can begin?