G8 Summit: Call for Two-State Solution, Shalit's Release, End Gaza Siege, and Freeze SettlementsA statement released by the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations, which met in Italy yesterday, urged Israel and the Palestinians to ''quickly resume direct negotiations on all open questions, in line with the Roadmap, the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Madrid principles.”
The statement also noted that "a just, lasting and global peace in the Middle East remains crucial for the international community" and reaffirmed its "commitment to the two-state solution." The two state solution was described by the G8 members as one which “would allow Israel to "live in peace and safety" and create "a Palestinian state in which the Palestinian people can make their own decisions."
As a means to fulfill these goals, the G8 called for Israel to end all settlement construction, including “natural growth,” and for the Arab nations to normalize relations with Israel. It insisted that Israel open the Gaza crossings to lift the blockade and immediately allow humanitarian aid, goods and people into the Gaza Strip.
The G8's call came as an Egyptian official charged with mediating between Israel and Palestinian factions for Shalit's release visited Ramallah for talks with PA leaders. The G8 leaders also placed heavy emphasis on the immediate release of captured soldier Gilad Shalit. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak accused Israel of scuttling a deal that was on the verge of ending the three-year captivity of the soldier Shalit. Mubarak told Yediot Aharonot that Shalit was about to be transferred to Egyptian safekeeping when Israel altered its terms for the envisaged prisoner swap. Mubarak explained that Israel insisted on linking Shalit with the reopening of Gaza borders just as the prisoner exchange was about to take place.
HEADLINES
Obama: Iran will not be allowed to develop nukes (Ha'aretz)
Netanyahu aide: US contrasting with Israel on Iran (AP)
Israeli strike on Iran would be 'catastrophe': Sarkozy (AFP)
Netanyahu aide: No Golan pullout for peace (AP)
Palestine and the Palestinians
Hamas' al-Zahar blames Israel for stalled Shalit talks (Ynet)
Gaza's children struggle with memories of war (AFP)
Sheikh Jarrah residents refuse to be displaced (Electronic Intifada)
Soldiers attack the Nil'in weekly Protest (International Middle East Media Center)
Israel
West Bank should not be 'Judenrein': Israel PM (AFP)
Report: Israel may agree on establishment of Palestinian counter-terror force (Xinhua)
Livni: Netanyahu only interested in harming Kadima (Ha'aretz)
Benny Gantz named deputy IDF chief amid Ashkenazi-Barak row (Ha'aretz)
The Neighbors
srael’s criminal activities in Lebanon warrant stronger UN condemnation (Daily Star)
Israel returns Lebanese man who crossed border (Daily Star)
Egyptians Looking for Clues About Their President’s Plans (NY Times)
Gaddafi and Brown in first talks (BBC)
Egyptian authorities forced to burn expired Gaza aid (Ma'an)
US Foreign Policy
U.S. panel demands release of Baha'is facing trial in Iran (CNN)
Israel plans to buy U.S. fighter jets (UPI)
International Relations/Law
German FM: Settlements remain obstacle to peace (Ha'aretz)
Sarkozy urges Israel not to attack Iran (Reuters)
'Iran could build bomb within a year' (Jerusalem Post)
Wary of naked force, Israelis eye cyberwar on Iran (Reuters)
Noam Shalit to testify before UN committee (Ynet)
Arts and Activism
Palestinian children make art from their national catastrophe (Daily Star)
Misc.
Dead Sea moves up in 7 Wonders competition (Jerusalem Post)
Commentary
Erakat: The gross nature of Israel's violations (Huffington Post)
Shavit: Power of deterrence (Ha'aretz)
Friedman: Israel backers must support a settlement freeze (Jewish Telegraph Agency)
Cook: The two-state solution, Israeli style (Anti-War)
Israel's criminal activities in Lebanon warrant stronger UN condemnation (Daily Star)
Roy: Destroying Gaza (Electronic Intifada)
Avnery: Bananas (Dissident Voice)
Anis: Why can't an Arab be more like an Israeli? (Al-Ahram)
Op-Ed: Israel backers must support a settlement freeze (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Comment: Political, legal assault against Israel is just beginning (Jerusalem Post)
Views expressed on this post or on linked web pages do not represent the Palestine Center, the educational program of the Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development. All content is for educational purposes only.
