Middle East/US

Mitchell calls for two-state solution on visit to Israel

Article published on the 2009-04-16 Latest update 2009-04-16 14:37 TU

Mitchell (R) meets Lieberman
(Photo: Reuters)

US Middle East envoy George Mitchell pressed Israel's new, right-wing government to accept a two-state solution to win peace with the Palestinians on a visit to Jerusalem. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes a Palestinian state and hard-right Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman gave the idea a frosty reception.

"US policy focuses on the two-state solution," Lieberman told journalists after meeting the Foreign Minister.

But Lieberman declared that "the peace process has reached a dead end" and that "the new government will have to formulate new ideas and approaches," according to a statement from his office.

"The new government declared that it is bound by all previous agreements to which Israel is a signatory," says correspondent Peretz Kidron. "But not by the Annapolis process, in which the United States affirms its adherence to the idea of the Palestinians being allowed to create a state of their own and live peacefully alongside Israel.”  

“What will make things even more complicated for Mitchell is the difference between Israel’s Prime Minister and the rather brash new style of the new Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman who comes from an aggressively nationalist far-right party," Kidron told RFI.

"Lieberman has spoken out in a very blunt away about these various agreements […] and on various occasions, he has been extremely offensive towards the Egyptians with whom Israel has a long-standing peace agreement.

"On one occasion, he sent President Mubarak to the devil and on another occasion he speculated publicly on the idea of Israel bombing the Aswan dam. This is hardly the style of a diplomatic personage. Today, the Israeli press reported the Egyptian Foreign minister saying he just couldn’t imagine Lieberman ever being allowed to set foot on Egyptian soil.”

Other ministers have been unenthusiastic about Mitchell's message.

"Mr Mitchell knows that imposing the region to a virtual dialogue can have inverse results," said Interior Minister Eli Yishai.

Mitchell will meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on Friday. Abbas insists that the new Israeli cabinet commit itself to a two-state solution before the two sides can resume any talks.