(Newsweek) Dan Ephron - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held three direct negotiating sessions in September - 16 hours of talks. Palestinian and Israeli sources say Israel's "security concept" involved keeping Israeli troops stationed along a strip several kilometers wide at some points on the Palestinian side of the barrier Israel has built in the West Bank to protect what Israel calls its "narrow waistline." Also, Netanyahu insisted Israeli troops would remain posted in the Jordan Valley for years. Abbas countered that Israel should cede 98.2% of the West Bank, say the sources. He also offered to allow U.S. or other third-party troops to be stationed on Palestinian territory after Israel withdrew.
2010-12-14 09:13:38Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive