Palestinian Negotiatior: We Can Wait for Israel to Leave

A Palestinian negotiator told the public that, over the years, the Israelis have slowly withdrawn from all territory taken over during the 1967 war. Because Israel is leaving anyway, there is no need to negotiate anything. The PA will keep using a stall strategy.

Saeb Ereqat told Jordanian daily Al-Dustour that Israelis only live on 1.2% of land past the 1967 border. Israel offered two states in the 1940s, but the Palestinians said no. Israel has offered many land for peace agreements, but the Palestinians said no. As recent as the Olmert government, Israel offered a land swap that would have given the Palestinians an equivalent to 100% of Judea and Samaria, but the Palestinians said no.

Ereqat told us why. Over time, Israel has ceded land again and again. Settlements have been removed. Gaza has been turned over to Hamas. At this rate, the Palestinians will get whatever they want anyway. Why should they rush through negotiations? They have more to gain if we stall.