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Blair, Tony

Netanyahu Agrees to Renew Middle East Peace Process in London

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to participate in a summit in London with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, marking a significant breakthrough in the stalled Middle East peace process. The decision comes after British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrived in Israel on the third leg of his Middle East tour, bringing a message of hope and lessons from the historic peace agreement in Northern Ireland. Despite the progress, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel's primary consideration is security, and the country will not yield on that point.

Key Takeaways:

  • Netanyahu has agreed to participate in a summit in London with Arafat, marking a significant breakthrough in the stalled Middle East peace process.
  • The deal was brokered by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who arrived in Israel on the third leg of his Middle East tour.
  • Netanyahu emphasized that Israel's primary consideration is security, and the country will not yield on that point.
  • The Israeli government has accepted the invitation to talks in London, but stressed that the British moves are being closely co-ordinated with the United States.
  • U.S. officials confirmed that Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is likely to meet the Israeli and Palestinian leaders in Europe next month.
  • The British government hopes to achieve a breakthrough that will lead to the opening of a Palestinian airport in Gaza and an industrial park on the Gaza-Israel border, funded by over $2.6 billion in European aid.
  • Blair believes that increasing prosperity will increase the chances for peace, but warned that movement on the economic front should not divert attention from the central negotiations on land for peace.

Statistics:

  • Over $2.6 billion in European aid will fund the Palestinian airport and industrial park projects.
  • Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been living in refugee camps for 50 years.
  • The Israeli government has refused to accept the presence of a Jewish state in the midst of Arab countries.

Sources:

  • The Globe and Mail, "Blair urges Israeli's to make concessions on peace deal" (no date mentioned)
  • The article does not mention specific sources, but quotes from the article are included to provide context.

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