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Israel Envoy: Outlook for Peace Talks Not "Particularly Bright"

(Washington Times) Ben Birnbaum - The outlook for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks does not look "particularly bright," Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren said Tuesday, as international mediators descended on Jerusalem in search of a formula to jump-start negotiations between the parties. "Our policy remains direct negotiations to achieve a two-state solution...to try to get [PA President] Mahmoud Abbas back to the negotiating table." Oren blasted the heroes' welcome given to the freed Palestinian prisoners who had been convicted of terrorism, released last week as part of Israel's deal with Hamas to free captured Staff Sgt. Gilad Shalit. "I think it underscores the great difference between Israeli society and the society on the other side," he said. "We celebrate life, they revel in death." "Mahmoud Abbas comes out and says, 'Not only are these people heroes, but we're going to work for the release of the terrorist who killed 39 people at a Passover Seder in Netanya, that's a hero.'" "What kind of message does that send to Palestinian children?"
2011-10-26 00:00:00
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