Israel proposes new negotiations based on '67 lines IDF preparing for unrest ahead of UN vote

Israeli officials confirmed on Tuesday that they have decided to offer the Palestinian Authority a new negotiating position beginning with acceptance of the 1967 lines, with mutually agreed land swaps, as a framework for talks as part of a package in which the PA would recognize Jewish state, as part of an effort to forestall an effort by the Palestinians to seek recognition of statehood at the UN next month. The complex legal and diplomatic language of such an opening position, which is being prepared with the assistance and endorsement of the US, EU, UN and Russia, would position Israel as agreeing that the 1967 lines are considered de facto borders by the international community, without having to endorse them itself, allowing negotiations to commence.

  

On the Palestinian side, there is said to be fierce internal debate among leaders about the wisdom of the UN path, even as EU diplomats have attempted to convince the PA that it would be better served by watering down a statehood resolution before bringing it before the UN General Assembly. At the same time, some PA officials have dismissed the Israeli and US efforts as "valueless" towards the goal of restarting negotiations and indicated their continued determination to proceed along the UN track.

For a closer look at recent Israeli-Palestinian relations, click HERE (PDF)
   

Meanwhile, in anticipation of possible civil unrest among the Palestinians and possibly Arab-Israelis as the September showdown at the UN draws near, the IDF is preparing plans to issue emergency call-up orders to reservists, in case extra manpower is needed to contain disturbances. The tempo of training in crowd control techniques is also being stepped up.

  

"We do not know exactly what to expect so we are preparing for a wide-range of scenarios," a senior IDF officer said this week.

In related news, the IDF announced on Tuesday that it would permit the export of textiles and furniture from the Gaza Strip for the first time since the Islamist terror militia Hamas took over the Strip in 2007. The step was taken as a goodwill gesture ahead of the Moslem holy month of Ramadan, and also included an increased supply of water to the Strip and other measures.