Palestinians Present Biden Administration with Demands to Activate Peace with Israel

Arab World

June 30th, 5:18am

Tel Aviv - Asharq Al-Awsat

Palestinians hold pictures of Ghazanfar Abu Atwan, in the West Bank city of Hebron, 29 June 2021. Ghazanfar Abu Atwan, who is detained in an Israeli prison, is currently on 56 days of hunger strike against the administrative detention. EPA/ABED AL HASHLAMOUN

In the framework of its dialogue with the US administration, the Palestinian Authority has given Washington a list of proposals that could revive the peace process if Israel responds to them, Haaretz newspaper revealed on Tuesday. The newspaper wrote that the roughly 30 proposals on the list address restoring the government powers of the Palestinian Authority, improving the Palestinian economy and addressing the quality of life of individual Palestinians. The proposals also include restoration of the PA’s diplomatic standing, the reopening of Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem and the suspension of construction in West Bank settlements. The document includes a number of civilian-sector projects – increasing the number of Israeli work permits issued to Palestinians, permitting family reunification and regulating construction in Palestinian towns and villages to accommodate natural population growth. The document also proposes that the Palestinian Authority be given direct authorization to import fuel from Jordan and expanding the PA’s capacity to export goods, the establishment of a free-trade zone within its territory and the issuance of construction permits for power plants and green energy projects. It calls for the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel in accordance with the fourth stage of a plan already worked out by Israel and the Palestinians that was suspended in 2014. The document also proposes that an international airport be established in the West Bank and that Palestinian officials again be permitted to staff the Allenby Bridge border crossing point between the West Bank and Jordan. Israeli government officials have reportedly informed PA leaders about a desire to improve the lives of the Palestinian people. “Everyone has an interest in maintaining a low profile,” a source with knowledge of the initiative told Haaretz.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3054736/palestinians-present-biden-administration-demands-activate-peace-israel