Israeli deputy FM: Palestinians haven't budged 'a millimeter'
In an interview with Al-Monitor, Deputy Foreign Minister Zeev Elkin claims that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to pay a political price for advancing negotiations, unlike the Palestinian partners.
Moments before what looks like the breakdown of the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, Deputy Foreign Minister Zeev Elkin, a senior member of the hawkish wing of the Likud Party, is preparing for an information campaign war in the international arena. With the Kerry document about to be released, Elkin blames the Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian leadership for the deadlock.
In an interview with Al-Monitor, he emphasizes the steep political and public price that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has paid for his willingness to conduct the negotiations, and explains why he plans to fight against the implementation of the fourth pulse in the release of Palestinian security prisoners.
Elkin’s comments are an accurate reflection of the mood within the Likud and the right in general. On one hand, it places obstacles in the prime minister's way over the negotiations, while on the other hand it embraces and empathizes with him over the external pressures being placed upon him.
Al-Monitor: Over the past few days, the number of voices on the right calling on the government to stop the fourth prisoner release has increased. Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon has even threatened to quit the government over it. Will that have an impact on Netanyahu?
