Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TELAVIV984
2007-03-30 12:24:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:  

PUBLIC ISRAELI RESPONSE TO ARAB LEAGUE SUMMIT (U)

Tags:  PREL PGOV KPAL KWBG IS 
pdf how-to read a cable
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INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000984 

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL KWBG IS
SUBJECT: PUBLIC ISRAELI RESPONSE TO ARAB LEAGUE SUMMIT (U)

REF: RIYADH 0636

Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones for reasons 1.4 (B and D).

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000984

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL KWBG IS
SUBJECT: PUBLIC ISRAELI RESPONSE TO ARAB LEAGUE SUMMIT (U)

REF: RIYADH 0636

Classified By: Ambassador Richard H. Jones for reasons 1.4 (B and D).


1. (U) Summary: Initial GOI reaction to the Arab League
Summit has been cautiously positive. PM Ehud Olmert's office
announced that they would "study in detail the initiative and
see if there is anything new ... and then respond." In the
official response, the MFA released a statement that skirts
divisive substantive issues and concludes that a dialogue
with moderate Arab states can have a "positive role." In
press interviews, PM Olmert has noted a "revolutionary change
in outlook" among certain Arab states, praised "interesting
ideas" in the Saudi initiative, and stated that "we are ready
to hold discussions and hear from the Saudis about their
approach and to tell them about ours." Vice PM Shimon Peres
and DefMin Amir Peretz have been even more forward leaning.
At the same time, the GOI has retained its hard line on the
"right of return." An upcoming GOI cabinet session and CoDel
meetings with Olmert and Livni on April 1 should provide an
opportunity for a more nuanced readout of the GOI's views and
intentions. End summary.


2. (U) The Prime Minister's Office announced that the GOI
would "study in detail the initiative and see if there is
anything new, and changes, and then respond." The most
likely time for such a response would be following the weekly
cabinet meeting on April 1, when the PMO issues a communique
summarizing decisions and Olmert's comments on each major
issue.


3. (U) The Foreign Ministry's spokesperson released the
preliminary GOI response late on March 29. That statement
(full text in paragraph six) said, "Israel is sincerely
interested in pursuing a dialogue with those Arab states that
desire peace with Israel, this in order to promote a process
of normalization and cooperation. Israel hopes that the
Riyadh Summit will contribute to this effort." The statement
discusses the GOI's commitment to "fundamental principles"
regarding peace with the Palestinians (a veiled reference to
the refugee issue) and concludes that a dialogue with

moderate Arab states can have a "positive role" in supporting
the Israeli-Palestinian track.


4. (U) In the traditional round of pre-Passover interviews,
PM Olmert has tried to accentuate the possibilities of the
"Saudi initiative," which he and the rest of the GOI continue
to differentiate from the Arab League initiative. In one
interview recorded before the Riyadh Summit concluded, Olmert
said that the some regional states have experienced a
"revolutionary change in outlook," and no longer see Israel
as the biggest threat to their security. After praising King
Abdullah, he said there are "interesting ideas" in the Saudi
initiative, adding "we are ready to hold discussions and hear
from the Saudis about their approach and to tell them about
ours." While not directly addressing the substance of such
talks, Olmert reiterated elsewhere in the interview that the
GOI "will not accept any kind of Israeli responsibility for
the refugees -- period." Vice PM Peres also responded
positively, urging direct Israeli negotiations with Arab
states. DefMin Peretz went even further, calling on Israel
to accept the Saudi initiative "as a basis for negotiations."


5. (S/NF) Prior to the Riyadh Summit, senior MFA officials
told visiting USG officials that FM Livni planned to contact
her colleagues from Egypt, Jordan, Oman, UAE, Tunisia, Qatar,
and Morocco by phone to discuss the outcome of the summit.
Post should have more information on these calls and on PMO
contacts with the Arabs following appointments with Olmert
and Livni on April 1.

--------------
Text of Official GOI Statement
--------------


6. (U) "Israeli Statement on Arab Summit in Riyadh 29-Mar-2007

Israel believes in peace, and seeks to establish peaceful and
neighborly relations both with the Palestinian people and
with all the states of the region.

Israel is sincerely interested in pursuing a dialogue with
those Arab states that desire peace with Israel, this in
order to promote a process of normalization and cooperation.
Israel hopes that the Riyadh Summit will contribute to this
effort.

Israel's position with regard to the peace process with the
Palestinians is founded upon fundamental principles, the most
central of which is the existence of two nation-states, with
each state addressing the national aspirations of its own
people - Israel for the Jewish people and Palestine for the

TEL AVIV 00000984 002 OF 002


Palestinian people - and with both states coexisting in
peace, free of the threat of terror and violence.

For this purpose, a direct dialogue between Israel and the
Palestinians is necessary.

Israel also believes that moderate Arab states can fill a
positive role by encouraging regional cooperation, and
supporting the Israeli-Palestinian track. A dialogue between
these states and Israel can contribute to this end."

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