Moussa: Israel 'not serious' about peace negotiations

Egyptian president hopeful Amr Moussa tells CNN Israel should adopt Arab Peace Initiative, seize opportunity of changing Arab world.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Arab League chief Amr Moussa Egypt 311 (R) (photo credit: REUTERS/Abdallah Dalsh)
Arab League chief Amr Moussa Egypt 311 (R)
(photo credit: REUTERS/Abdallah Dalsh)
Egyptian presidential likely Amr Moussa said that the Israeli refusal to negotiate a peaceful settlement with a Palestinian government that includes Hamas is illegitimate. He said that the current Israeli leadership "is not serious" about negotiating with any Palestinian faction.
Speaking to CNN's Fareed Zakaria, Moussa said that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has to "take into consideration that the Arab world is changing," and that the new Arab leadership will not represent the old status quo. He said now is the time for the Israeli government to "seize this opportunity."
Moussa reiterated his support for the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative (API) that was proposed by then-Crown Prince King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and called for a complete withdrawal from all "occupied territories" including east Jerusalem, as well as a settlement to the Palestinian crisis that would allow any Palestinian wishing to "return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbors" the right to do so.
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According to Moussa, even though Israel's adoption of the API would ensure normalization with, and recognition by the entire Arab world, Israel "never took seriously or even considered" the option.
Moussa said that if he were elected Egyptian president, he would completely adopt the platform, saying that "We are ready to implement our part of the deal. We invite you to implement your part of the deal."