3.26.2009

Netanyahu posturing

As soon as he is sworn in as Israel's next prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu plans to hold a series of consultations aimed at crystallizing his new government's policy on the Palestinians.

Netanyahu's first act toward this end will be the formation of an administrative body whose task is to promote economic peace with the Palestinians. The department will have a mandate to concentrate the government's activities vis-a-vis the international community, particularly with the Quartet's special envoy to the region, Tony Blair, and the Palestinian Authority. Netanyahu's government will seek to advance some 25 economic initiatives in the West Bank.

Netanyahu associates are hopeful that the process of formulating policy will be complete by April, that is just before Netanyahu's planned trip to the United States currently scheduled for May 3. Aides also said Netanyahu will try to hold at least one cabinet meeting that is to be devoted to Israel's policies in the territories.

Read more @ Haaretz
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1074095.html

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