World Bulletin / News Desk
Two sources in the Israeli political system have quoted in Haaretz, have said that Tony Blair, has corresponded with opposition leader Yitzhak Herzog with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry had been pushing Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s speech in which he called on Israeli political parties to agree on the need to advance a peace framework Palestinians.
Blair has continued to act independently in order to restart peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, and the Arab world. Blair visited Israel and other countries in the region every two or three weeks, almost always meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, updating them on his talks with Arab leaders. During these meetings he reiterated that while the Arab nations were prepared to make a deal with Israel, the onus was on Israel to take steps towards peace in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Visiting Israel every two to three weeks and meeting with Netanyahu every single time, Haaretz reports that Blair realised that for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, with the involvement of Arab nations, the best best would be to bring the Zionist Union into the coalition.
In Cairo last week, Blair suggested that Sisi address the Israeli people and to make peace with Palestinians in which he did, with Blair coordinating the contents of the speech with Egypt. The visit was organised by Yitzhak Herzog with Blair updating John Kerry about the move.Netanyahu also made an announcement welcoming Sissi’s remarks and saying he was willing to cooperate with a diplomatic move led by Egypt.
read more however talks between Netanyahu and Herzog collapsed just after midnight - Herzog claimed that Netanyahu failed to provide written understanding of what was discussed while Likud countered this claim that Netanyahu realized that Herzog didn't have the full back of the Knesset and didn't want to take such a risk.
U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said: "Secretary Kerry played no role in the Israeli domestic political matters described in this article, in President Sissi's decision to give a speech this week, or in delaying the upcoming Quartet report, which is not yet complete."
Güncelleme Tarihi: 20 Mayıs 2016, 10:26