MK SCHNELLER'S MEMO ON THE INTERNATIONAL MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 003070 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2011 TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS KPAL IS SUBJECT: MK SCHNELLER'S MEMO ON THE INTERNATIONAL MEETING REF: TEL AVIV 3060 Classified By: Ambassador Richard Jones for Reason 1.4 (B/D). ¶1. (C) During Kadima Knesset member Otniel Schneller's October October 19 meeting with the Ambassador and emboffs (reftel),he gave us a memo elaborating on his ideas about how final status issues should and should not be handled at the international meeting if we want to gain broad support from the Israeli public. As reported reftel, Schneller is engaged in efforts to develop support among settlers for voluntary relocation from settlements and outposts east of the separation barrier. His memo, reported here verbatim, reflects Schneller's desire to find formulas for peace with the Palestinians that he believes can appeal to mainstream settlers and supporters of nationalist parties. We are reporting Schneller's memo for the insights it provides into the thinking of Schneller's constituency; we do not think his views accurately capture the views of centrist and leftist Israelis, nor do they reflect the GOI's negotiating position. Schneller did not seek to engage the Ambassador in a discussion of his paper. ¶2. (SBU) Begin text: Refugees A formulation that would receive broad support within Israel - Success for the Summit -- Solution of the refugee problem is an integral part of a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, an "end to the conflict" and an end to further claims. -- The parties recognize the existence of a "right to return" by the nations to their homeland. -- Each nation will realize its "right of return" to its own State only. -- The economic and social rehabilitation of the refugees is a common interest for all parties. There is therefore a need for a rehabilitation process which would include a program for the migration of refugees with their agreement and according to their wishes to their own state or to a third state, as well as for the rehabilitation of refugees within their current area of residency. -- Since the rehabilitation solutions will have a profound influence on the lives of many, it must be accepted by a significant majority of the refugee population. -- The international community has an important role to play in the area of social and economic rehabilitation, as also social and cultural reconciliation. Comments on a declaration that would lead to a defense, �A;political and diplomatic crisis - Failure of the Summit. -- Waiving the demand for a Palestinian commitment to a formal recognition of the Jewish Right of Return to the State of Israel. -- A formulation from which it would be understood that Israel would in one way or another allow Palestinian refugees to return to territory of the State of Israel, even in a symbolic way and on some sort of humanitarian basis. ¶3. (SBU) Demography and Borders A formulation that would receive broad support within Israel - Success for the Summit -- In order to ensure preservation of the national character of each nation in its own state, there must be physical separation matching the territorial-demographic principles that are a vital interest for each party. --The parties would agree on the establishment of a Palestinian State with territorial continuity in the West Bank by the side of the State of Israel. -- The permanent borders between the two states will also be determined on a demographic basis. -- When determining the permanent borders and the annexation of settlement blocs to the territory of the State of Israel - the parties will also consider, among other things, ideas of the exchange of land on the basis of the demographic and territorial principles and the existential needs of the parties. Comments on a declaration that would lead to a defense, political and diplomatic crisis - Failure of the summit -- Reference to the idea that the borders will be determined on the basis of the 1967 lines (as demanded by Saudi Arabia, the Palestinians). -- Reference to the size of the territory of the Palestinian state and the drawing of its border (even a general/theoretical drafting). -- A declaration that the idea of an exchange of land will be on a ratio of 1:1. -- A reference to and adoption of political ideas that have arisen over the years, such as the Clinton Parameters, the Taba Meeting, and so on. ¶4. (SBU) Jerusalem A formulation that would receive broad support within Israel - Success for the Summit -- On the basis of the territorial-demographic principle and Jerusalem's special status as capital of the State of Israel and of the Jewish People with their Holy Sites, together with the symbolic meaning and special status of Jerusalem for the Palestinians, Islam and their Holy Sites - certain sections of the greater Jerusalem neighborhoods might be divided between the two nations. -- Therefore, the authoritative principle is that the Jewish neighborhoods would be under Israeli sovereignty and be part of its capital Jerusalem, while the Palestinian neighborhoods would be mainly under Palestinian sovereignty and be part of its capital. -- The area between the two capital cities has a complex texture that cannot be divided. The religious, cultural and historical linkage of the three monotheistic religions demand a solution that will allow freedom of worship, religion and linkage of the member of each of the religions. -- In the areas between the two capital cities there will be a special regime to be agreed upon by the parties. -- An inter-religious institution will be set up for the Holy Sites with representatives of the three religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam - that will deal only with issues of worship and religious management of the Holy Sites while each religion will manage its own holy sites. -- The demarcation of the borders of Jerusalem will allow free access to all holy places. -- The proximity of the capital cities and the daily links between them will require institutions for cooperation in all areas of life, so as to promote stability between the two cities. Comments on a declaration that would lead to a defense, political and diplomatic crisis - Failure of the Summit -- Use of the term "holy basin" - The Haram/Temple Mount area - with the territorial definition according to the Clinton proposal (the area between the two capitals mentioned above includes only the area of the Old City within the walls with a small projection into the City of David). -- There should be no reference (even implied) to size, location or drawing of maps. -- Reference to one of the following sub-topics regarding the special area between the two capitals: - Defining sovereignty - The principles of security - Law and order - Registration of assets and land ownership The joint declaration will undoubtedly include many more topics such as: regional policies, the international community, economic issues, etc. To ensure the success of the summit, Israel, the United States and the Palestinians should set a basic principle: The wider the range of topics - the greater the success of the summit. The deeper the discussions on controversial topics - the greater the chances the summit will fail. End text. ********************************************* ******************** Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. ********************************************* ******************** JONES