Barak and Arafat Seek Fresh Start on Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian President Yassir Arafat held a 75-minute meeting at the Erez checkpoint, expressing confidence in a fresh start for the stalled peace process. Mr. Barak committed to implementing all outstanding peace accords, but refrained from dismantling Jewish settlements in the West Bank at present. The meeting comes after a seven-month standstill, which saw the Wye River accord's implementation halted due to concerns over Palestinian terrorism.

Key Takeaways:

• Ehud Barak has committed to implementing all outstanding peace accords, including the Wye River accord, which calls for the transfer of 13.1% of West Bank land to the Palestinians.
• Despite concerns over terrorism, Yassir Arafat reaffirmed the Palestinian Authority's policy of zero toleration of terrorism.
• The two leaders discussed linking final status negotiations with the implementation of the Wye accord, with Arafat surprisingly expressing "no contradiction" with this arrangement.
• Israeli control over 71% of the West Bank and 30% of the Gaza Strip has left Palestinians feeling vulnerable in future negotiations.
• Ehud Barak stated that Israel would not establish new Jewish settlements, but would not dismantle existing ones at present.
• The Israeli prime minister emphasized his government's commitment to blocks of settlements, which Palestinians view as undermining a territorial Palestinian state.

Statistics:

• Israel controls 71% of the West Bank and 30% of the Gaza Strip.
• The Wye River accord calls for the transfer of 13.1% of West Bank land to the Palestinians.
• The Israeli government has not yet implemented decisions from previous governments that have not yet been implemented.

Sources:

• "Financial Times Limited 1999. All Rights Reserved"