Israel’s U.S. ambassador, Michael Oren, outlined for Jewish leaders his country’s list of priorities in framing peace talks with the Palestinians.
Speaking June 30, Oren said Israel is looking into President Barack Obama’s recent proposals for renewing talks. Such talks, Oren said, should be framed
by what he called the “terms of reference”: the recognition of Israel as a Jewish state; no return of Palestinian refugees; and a long-term military presence for Israel along the Jordan-West Bank border.
Oren insisted that the terms were not preconditions. Pressed by a questioner, however, Oren acknowledged that Israel’s demand that the Palestinian Authority end reconciliation talks with Hamas was a precondition. “Hamas is not a game changer, it’s a game stopper,” he said.
The call was organized by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. — jta