Palestinian president :Arabs erred in rejecting UN 47 Partition plan

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The Palestinian president, in a remarkable assessment delivered on Israeli TV, said Friday the Arab world erred in rejecting the United Nations’ 1947 plan to partition Palestine into a Palestinian and a Jewish state.

The Palestinian and Arab refusal to accept a U.N. plan to partition the then-British-controlled mandate of Palestine sparked widespread fighting, then Arab military intervention after Israel declared independence the following year. The Arabs lost the war.

“It was our mistake. It was an Arab mistake as a whole,” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told Channel 2 TV in a rare interview to the Israeli media. “But do they (the Israelis) punish us for this mistake 64 years?

Abbas also addressed his negotiations with former Israeli leader Ehud Olmert, now in the spotlight because of the publication of the memoirs of former U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.

Rice backs Israel’s account that Olmert made a peace offer that was rejected, while Palestinians say that talks never actually reached a point where a firm offer was on the table.

Abbas claimed that he and Olmert were “very close” to reaching a peace agreement in 2008, before the Israeli leader left office under the cloud of corruption allegations.

“It was a very good opportunity,” he said. “If he stayed two, three months, I believe in that time we could have concluded an agreement.”

He confirmed Olmert’s account that the Israeli leader was prepared to withdraw from 93.5 percent of the West Bank. The Palestinians, Abbas added, responded by offering to let Israel retain 1.9 percent of the West Bank.

In her forthcoming book, “No Higher Honor,” excerpted in Newsweek this week, Rice claims that the Palestinians rejected Olmert’s proposal.

Rice said Olmert proposed in a May 2008 conversation with her to cede about 94 percent of the West Bank, and to share sovereignty over the disputed holy city of Jerusalem and put an international body in charge of its religious shrines.

In its waning days, Rice wrote, the administration of President George W. Bush tried one last time to wrest a peace deal: “To have an Israeli prime minister on record offering those remarkable elements and a Palestinian president accepting them would have pushed the peace process to a new level. Abbas refused.”

In their last meeting before Bush left office in December 2008, “The President took Abbas into the Oval Office alone and appealed to him to reconsider. The Palestinian stood firm, and the idea died,” Rice wrote.

On Friday, the chief Palestinian negotiator told The Associated Press that the Palestinians had never rejected the Israeli offer.

With Abbas offering in his counter-proposal to let Israel annex 1.9 percent of the West Bank, Bush set a meeting for Jan. 3, 2009, to lock in the positions, which had been delivered verbally, “so the next administration could begin where we left off,” he said.

That meeting was scuttled because of Israel’s December 2008 invasion of Gaza, Erekat said, and Olmert was soon out of office. Since that time, talks revived for only a brief three weeks last year.

Last month, Abbas bypassed the troubled negotiations route to ask the U.N. to recognize an independent state of Palestine.

In his interview with Channel 2, Abbas acknowledged the Palestinians might not be able to muster the necessary nine votes in the 15-member Security Council to approve the statehood bid.

But majority support would be a moot point, anyway, because the United States has threatened to veto the statehood petition. Israel also opposes the U.N. bid, arguing, like the U.S., that only negotiations can yield a Palestinian state.

Abbas said “it is difficult … to launch any kind of negotiations” with the current Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who takes a hawkish stand on territorial concessions.

He said Netanyahu wants to retain an Israeli military presence along the West Bank’s eastern border with Jordan for 40 years, even after the establishment of a Palestinian state.

“I told him, I prefer occupation,” Abbas said.

Netanyahu has never publicly specified how long he wants to hold on to that territory, known as the Jordan Valley, and his office had no reaction to Abbas’ comment.

AP

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21 responses to “Palestinian president :Arabs erred in rejecting UN 47 Partition plan”

  1. “But do they (the Israelis) punish us for this mistake 64 years?
    Becasue you have repeated the same mistake until 1967, over and over, every day.

    1. 7akibalash Avatar
      7akibalash

      until 1967? you lost me there… you mean until today.

      1. 5thDrawer Avatar

        Right … they can’t get a state from anyone. All they want to do is kill Jews – not necessarily Israelis. And no-one wants rocketeers in their neighbourhood. There may be people from the time of the Palestine Mandate who are still around to ‘go back’, and some who are wanting peace rather than war all the time, but no country wants to take the chance they won’t bring the rockets along with them if they give them some land. Sixty years of educating people that Jews are the worst thing on earth – by ‘religious’ politicians – will not be wiped out of the minds soon, and all the false propaganda and fudged histories only perpetuates the violence – which leads to only thoughts of revenge even if it didn’t involve the ones who hate so well. None of the countries they are in now – in so-called ‘camps’ – will give them citizenship even when born there, and it seems they don’t want to be called Jordanian or Syrian or Lebanese anyway, but only wish to be ‘Palestinians’ – some kind of ‘breed’ from a country that never existed.
        Over all the years, it has only been the Israelis who were willing to talk, and they are hated for that. Which is something very weird about human nature – resentment over what was a ‘right’ thing to do, and more resentment for losing battles.
        And the ‘Supremes’ lead them now into taking over Lebanon instead – so they can ‘war’ against the Jews from there.

          The religious wars begun by ‘The Prophet’ will never end it seems. And now the Somali Al-Shiskabobs call for war on everyone west of the Nile, since Kenyans have decided they had enough kidnappings of ‘forced-labour’ from their refugee camps or of Aid-Workers or of anyone else who could ‘bring in the money’ for guns, and there will be people trying to do it because they have been ‘lead astray’ in their thinking, and have the same resentments.

        It may be good to hear the present ‘Palestinian president’ admit that what they did in ’47 was a mistake. It might mean there is some recognition of the truth. But the Israelis are not punishing them now for 1947 – but for what they did last week, last month, last year. If they cannot stop the rocketeers, talk will never resolve it. And after admitting that, one wonders how long Abbas can survive.

      2. 5thDrawer Avatar

        Right … they can’t get a state from anyone. All they want to do is kill Jews – not necessarily Israelis. And no-one wants rocketeers in their neighbourhood. There may be people from the time of the Palestine Mandate who are still around to ‘go back’, and some who are wanting peace rather than war all the time, but no country wants to take the chance they won’t bring the rockets along with them if they give them some land. Sixty years of educating people that Jews are the worst thing on earth – by ‘religious’ politicians – will not be wiped out of the minds soon, and all the false propaganda and fudged histories only perpetuates the violence – which leads to only thoughts of revenge even if it didn’t involve the ones who hate so well. None of the countries they are in now – in so-called ‘camps’ – will give them citizenship even when born there, and it seems they don’t want to be called Jordanian or Syrian or Lebanese anyway, but only wish to be ‘Palestinians’ – some kind of ‘breed’ from a country that never existed.
        Over all the years, it has only been the Israelis who were willing to talk, and they are hated for that. Which is something very weird about human nature – resentment over what was a ‘right’ thing to do, and more resentment for losing battles.
        And the ‘Supremes’ lead them now into taking over Lebanon instead – so they can ‘war’ against the Jews from there.

          The religious wars begun by ‘The Prophet’ will never end it seems. And now the Somali Al-Shiskabobs call for war on everyone west of the Nile, since Kenyans have decided they had enough kidnappings of ‘forced-labour’ from their refugee camps or of Aid-Workers or of anyone else who could ‘bring in the money’ for guns, and there will be people trying to do it because they have been ‘lead astray’ in their thinking, and have the same resentments.

        It may be good to hear the present ‘Palestinian president’ admit that what they did in ’47 was a mistake. It might mean there is some recognition of the truth. But the Israelis are not punishing them now for 1947 – but for what they did last week, last month, last year. If they cannot stop the rocketeers, talk will never resolve it. And after admitting that, one wonders how long Abbas can survive.

    2. I have a question on this… Since the PA came into being in 1965, prior to then(49-65) why didn’t the Palestinians demand a state from Jordan or Egypt since they controlled the disputed territories? From 65-67 its fact the Pals wanted all of Israel at this time, not just Gaza and Judea and Samaria.. My point is doesn’t that mean since 67, cause before that the Pals just tried to kill Israeli’s, why didn’t they try to get a state from Jordan or Egypt?

      1. master09 Avatar

        Way back on March 31, 1977, the Dutch newspaper Trouw published an interview with Palestine Liberation Organization executive committee member Zahir Muhsein. Here’s what he said:

        The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct “Palestinian people” to oppose Zionism. For tactical reasons, Jordan, which is a sovereign state with defined borders, cannot raise claims to Haifa and Jaffa, while as a Palestinian, I can undoubtedly demand Haifa, Jaffa, Beer-Sheva and Jerusalem. However, the moment we reclaim our right to all of Palestine, we will not wait even a minute to unite Palestine and Jordan.
        So yes Iran Aware Most of the so called Palestinians lived on the east of the river in Jordan, no body kicked them out of Isreal they walked out from Isreal because the Arabs told them to. With these people out Syria Egypt and so on thought they could win a war against the Jews and throw them in the water. Well so it goes on and will for many years because the Arabs DO NOT WANT PEACE JUST TO DESTROY THE JEWS.

        1. I’m aware my friend of the truth, I just was curious if HE would admit it.. Like responsibility for their own actions, it will never happen

      2. master09 Avatar

        Way back on March 31, 1977, the Dutch newspaper Trouw published an interview with Palestine Liberation Organization executive committee member Zahir Muhsein. Here’s what he said:

        The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct “Palestinian people” to oppose Zionism. For tactical reasons, Jordan, which is a sovereign state with defined borders, cannot raise claims to Haifa and Jaffa, while as a Palestinian, I can undoubtedly demand Haifa, Jaffa, Beer-Sheva and Jerusalem. However, the moment we reclaim our right to all of Palestine, we will not wait even a minute to unite Palestine and Jordan.
        So yes Iran Aware Most of the so called Palestinians lived on the east of the river in Jordan, no body kicked them out of Isreal they walked out from Isreal because the Arabs told them to. With these people out Syria Egypt and so on thought they could win a war against the Jews and throw them in the water. Well so it goes on and will for many years because the Arabs DO NOT WANT PEACE JUST TO DESTROY THE JEWS.

  2. “But do they (the Israelis) punish us for this mistake 64 years?
    Becasue you have repeated the same mistake until 1967, over and over, every day.

    1.  Avatar

      until 1967? you lost me there… you mean until today.

      1.  Avatar

        Right … they can’t get a state from anyone. All they want to do is kill Jews – not necessarily Israelis. And no-one wants rocketeers in their neighbourhood. There may be people from the time of the Palestine Mandate who are still around to ‘go back’, and some who are wanting peace rather than war all the time, but no country wants to take the chance they won’t bring the rockets along with them if they give them some land. Sixty years of educating people that Jews are the worst thing on earth – by ‘religious’ politicians – will not be wiped out of the minds soon, and all the false propaganda and fudged histories only perpetuates the violence – which leads to only thoughts of revenge even if it didn’t involve the ones who hate so well. None of the countries they are in now – in so-called ‘camps’ – will give them citizenship even when born there, and it seems they don’t want to be called Jordanian or Syrian or Lebanese anyway, but only wish to be ‘Palestinians’ – some kind of ‘breed’ from a country that never existed.
        Over all the years, it has only been the Israelis who were willing to talk, and they are hated for that. Which is something very weird about human nature – resentment over what was a ‘right’ thing to do, and more resentment for losing battles.
        And the ‘Supremes’ lead them now into taking over Lebanon instead – so they can ‘war’ against the Jews from there.

          The religious wars begun by ‘The Prophet’ will never end it seems. And now the Somali Al-Shiskabobs call for war on everyone west of the Nile, since Kenyans have decided they had enough kidnappings of ‘forced-labour’ from their refugee camps or of Aid-Workers or of anyone else who could ‘bring in the money’ for guns, and there will be people trying to do it because they have been ‘lead astray’ in their thinking, and have the same resentments.

        It may be good to hear the present ‘Palestinian president’ admit that what they did in ’47 was a mistake. It might mean there is some recognition of the truth. But the Israelis are not punishing them now for 1947 – but for what they did last week, last month, last year. If they cannot stop the rocketeers, talk will never resolve it. And after admitting that, one wonders how long Abbas can survive.

    2. I have a question on this… Since the PA came into being in 1965, prior to then(49-65) why didn’t the Palestinians demand a state from Jordan or Egypt since they controlled the disputed territories? From 65-67 its fact the Pals wanted all of Israel at this time, not just Gaza and Judea and Samaria.. My point is doesn’t that mean since 67, cause before that the Pals just tried to kill Israeli’s, why didn’t they try to get a state from Jordan or Egypt?

      1.  Avatar

        Way back on March 31, 1977, the Dutch newspaper Trouw published an interview with Palestine Liberation Organization executive committee member Zahir Muhsein. Here’s what he said:

        The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct “Palestinian people” to oppose Zionism. For tactical reasons, Jordan, which is a sovereign state with defined borders, cannot raise claims to Haifa and Jaffa, while as a Palestinian, I can undoubtedly demand Haifa, Jaffa, Beer-Sheva and Jerusalem. However, the moment we reclaim our right to all of Palestine, we will not wait even a minute to unite Palestine and Jordan. So yes Iran Aware Most of the so called Palestinians lived on the west of the river in Jordan, no body kicked them out of Isreal they walked out from Isreal because the Arabs told them to. With these people out Syria Egypt and so on thought they could win a war against the Jews and throw them in the water. Well so it goes on and will for many years because the Arabs DO NOT WANT PEACE JUST TO DESTROY THE JEWS.  

        1. I’m aware my friend of the truth, I just was curious if HE would admit it.. Like responsibility for their own actions, it will never happen

      2.  Avatar

        Way back on March 31, 1977, the Dutch newspaper Trouw published an interview with Palestine Liberation Organization executive committee member Zahir Muhsein. Here’s what he said:

        The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct “Palestinian people” to oppose Zionism. For tactical reasons, Jordan, which is a sovereign state with defined borders, cannot raise claims to Haifa and Jaffa, while as a Palestinian, I can undoubtedly demand Haifa, Jaffa, Beer-Sheva and Jerusalem. However, the moment we reclaim our right to all of Palestine, we will not wait even a minute to unite Palestine and Jordan. So yes Iran Aware Most of the so called Palestinians lived on the west of the river in Jordan, no body kicked them out of Isreal they walked out from Isreal because the Arabs told them to. With these people out Syria Egypt and so on thought they could win a war against the Jews and throw them in the water. Well so it goes on and will for many years because the Arabs DO NOT WANT PEACE JUST TO DESTROY THE JEWS.  

  3. master09 Avatar

    In total the Jews gave a deal of 95% of West Bank to the Palestinians but always the answer was no  85 times.
    The Arabs do not want peace that is it.
    They want 100% and the Jews in the water or nothing.  

  4. master09 Avatar

    In total the Jews gave a deal of 95% of West Bank to the Palestinians but always the answer was no  85 times.
    The Arabs do not want peace that is it.
    They want 100% and the Jews in the water or nothing.  

  5.  Avatar

    In total the Jews gave a deal of 95% of West Bank to the Palestinians but always the answer was no  85 times.
    The Arabs do not want peace that is it.
    They want 100% and the Jews in the water or nothing.  

  6. 5thDrawer Avatar

    It’s an old saying. “The time to strike is while the iron is hot”.
    Farting around for months in between little nothings of this or that – nitpicking while the world changes – won’t get you to an agreement.
    Throwing rockets in between doesn’t help either.
    Lebanon could have changed it’s political scene after ‘the people’ gathered to throw out the Syrians. But as we see, victory was not the moment the last tank crossed the border. And the Cedar Forest shrank away …

  7. 5thDrawer Avatar

    It’s an old saying. “The time to strike is while the iron is hot”.
    Farting around for months in between little nothings of this or that – nitpicking while the world changes – won’t get you to an agreement.
    Throwing rockets in between doesn’t help either.
    Lebanon could have changed it’s political scene after ‘the people’ gathered to throw out the Syrians. But as we see, victory was not the moment the last tank crossed the border. And the Cedar Forest shrank away …

  8.  Avatar

    It’s an old saying. “The time to strike is while the iron is hot”.
    Farting around for months in between little nothings of this or that – nitpicking while the world changes – won’t get you to an agreement.
    Throwing rockets in between doesn’t help either.
    Lebanon could have changed it’s political scene after ‘the people’ gathered to throw out the Syrians. But as we see, victory was not the moment the last tank crossed the border. And the Cedar Forest shrank away …

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