Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., May 06, 2008 Iyyar 1, 5768 | | Israel Time: 17:28 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 13:30 02/05/2008 World powers urge Arabs to honor pledges to Palestinians By Avi Issacharoff and Asaf Uni Tags: Israel, PA donor nations World powers called on Friday on Arab states to honor their financial and political pledges to help the Palestinians in their U.S.-backed Middle East peace effort with Israel. The call was made in a statement at talks in London between the Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators made up of the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and Russia. "The Quartet called for all donors to follow through on pledges made...The Quartet encouraged the Arab states to fulfil both their political and financial roles in support of the Annapolis process," the statement. Advertisement The statement voiced "deep concern" over humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip which has been under a stringent siege imposed by Israel since the Islamist Hamas movement took over power there in June 2007. Israel says the blockade is aimed at stopping Hamas rocket attacks into Israel. "The Quartet called for continued emergency and humanitarian assistance and the provision of essential services to Gaza without obstruction. The Quartet expressed its continuing concern over the closure of major Gaza crossing points given the impact on the Palestinian economy and daily life," it said. It also called on Israel to freeze all settlement activity and to dismantle outposts erected since March 2001, which the Palestinians and other countries say are an impediment to the peace process. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters earlier as she flew to London for the talks that "It's extremely important that people pay their pledges... States that have resources ought to be looking not for how little they can do, but how much they can do." Rice did not mention any names but a senior U.S. official made clear Washington had in mind oil-rich Arab states whose contributions he called "woefully short." Of $717.1 million in budget support for the Palestinians promised by Arab League members, only $153.2 million has been delivered, all of which came from three countries: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Algeria. Donor states to urge Israel to lift W. Bank roadbocks, open borders Donor states to the Palestinian Authority are expected to express grave concern for the suffering of the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip at a conference that opens Friday in London. A meeting of the Middle East Quartet of peacemakers will take place on the sidelines of this conference, chaired by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and attended by several Arab foreign ministers. They will discuss ways of developing economic institutions in the West Bank and Gaza. Diplomatic sources said the donor states' closing statement will call for the opening of the Gaza border crossings and express concern over Israel's increasing traffic restrictions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Conference delegates will present a World Bank report censuring Israel for not doing enough to help the Palestinian Authority by removing roadblocks or reducing traffic restrictions to help revive the Palestinian economy. According to UN figures, there are 612 roadblocks and obstructions, a rise of more than 60 percent compared to their number when the freedom of access and movement agreement was signed in 2005. Palestinian sources said the PA was acting to bring about a denunciation of Israel at both the conference and the Quartet's meeting. The conference's closing statement is also expected to praise the PA for beginning to implement Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's reforms. Sources in Jerusalem on Thursday said that the Quartet is expected to support Russia's plan to convene an international peace conference in Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has been making efforts to bring about this event, with the encouragement of PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas. Palestinian sources say Abbas believes that such a conference in Moscow would force Israel to speed up the peace talks, or alternatively, lead to harsh criticism of Israel if it refuses. However, a senior PA official blasted Russia's conduct. He said the Russians have been playing a double role, wishing to mediate between Hamas and Fatah while at the same time keeping open channels to Iran, Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas, so as to act as a counterbalance to the United States. British Middle East envoy Michael Williams said yesterday that Israel's failure to remove West Bank roadblocks is a source of "grave concern." However, he said a balance must be struck between removing the roadblocks, which is essential for the Palestinian economy's growth, and Israel's security needs. Fayyad is expected to call on the donor states to pressure Israel to remove the roadblocks. Conference host Britain said it intended to ensure that the donor states meet their undertaking to contribute $7.7 billion to building economic institutions in the Palestinian Authority, as they resolved to do at the Paris conference in December. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who will represent Israel in London, is expected to meet her Egyptian counterpart Aboul Gheit there. The two, who have not met since their highly publicized confrontation in December over arms smuggling from Sinai into Gaza, are expected to discuss the peace process between Israel and the PA and the situation in the Gaza Strip. Livni is also due to discuss the Iranian nuclear program and the peace talks with Ban and with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. She is also scheduled to meet Foreign Secretary David Miliband, and Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague. Related articles: Top U.S. official: America would look favorably on PA request for additional funding State recycles promise to remove dozens of roadblocks in the West Bank Human rights groups call on Israel to stop limiting fuel to Gaza Bookmark to del.icio.us   Shimon goes green Peres says to fight terror Israel should reduce its dependence on oil. Voices of heroism IDF releases audio recordings from famed 1976 Entebbe raid.   1.   March of the Living version II : US Incites to Fund Terror PLO-PA 08:45  |  Joseph . E 02/05/08   2.   Transparancy of the ?Palestinian? finances. 08:56  |  Jean Van Daem 02/05/08   3.   The West dose not get that the Arabs do not care 09:02  |  David G 02/05/08   4.   How about Israel? 09:37  |  Colin Wright 02/05/08   5.   to David G #2 10:12  |  zeev 02/05/08   6.   American Indians 11:14  |  Gregor 02/05/08   7.   Perfidious terror supporter C.Wright,show a map where 12:55  |  Absolute Sweden 02/05/08   8.   5: Zeev continues to support ethnic cleansing 13:09  |  David Teich 02/05/08   9.   Wright, wrong again 13:20  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 02/05/08   10.   Removing roadblocks ...how about the militias disarming first.... 14:19  |  r 02/05/08   11.   End the checkpoints - a cure-all? 14:28  |  Sam 02/05/08   12.   to Gregor #6 14:34  |  zeev 02/05/08   13.   "Money talks, BS walks" 15:09  |  Morris Shappira 02/05/08   14.   on David Teich #8 15:09  |  zeev 02/05/08   15.   #6 Gregor. 16:08  |  John Allen 02/05/08   16.   Hatred towards Jews?? 16:18  |  John Allen, 02/05/08   17.   Arab bravado 16:47  |  utagawa 02/05/08   18.   SAM, That`s what the Israel haters here want 17:08  |  GZLives 02/05/08   19.   #6 Gregor 17:18  |  Space 02/05/08   20.   Palestinians are an irritant to Saudia, etc. 19:26  |  Jewboy 02/05/08   21.   Oil at $120 and no significant Arab financial help to the Pals? 22:13  |  Mr. Ami Goldman 02/05/08   22.   They scream and moan about aid to Israel... 22:27  |  Conroy 02/05/08   23.   Spend the money encouraging emigration 22:32  |  Realist 02/05/08   24.   Arabs Are Married To The War 22:34  |  dyinglikeflies 02/05/08   25.   to David G #3 - 2nd try 23:52  |  zeev 02/05/08   26.   to Gregor #6 - 2nd try 23:56  |  zeev 02/05/08   27.   on David Teich #8 - 2nd try 00:00  |  zeev 03/05/08   28.   to Sam #11 - 2nd try 00:07  |  zeev 03/05/08   29.   Conroy - There IS a difference 00:25  |  American 03/05/08   30.   David (3), the Sunnis wouldn´t buttress that what 00:25  |  Karl 03/05/08   31.   to Sam #11 - 3rd try 00:51  |  zeev 03/05/08   32.   Arab states are worse than israel 01:07  |  Ivan 03/05/08   33.   Jewboy: Funny the jews have ALWAYS been an irritant to the EU, US 03:09  |  Euro 03/05/08   34.   This isn`t blood money 05:12  |  Mark Lincoln 03/05/08   35.   Compensation - zeev # 12 08:21  |  Gregor 03/05/08   36.   Arab refugees are victims of the Arab states. 08:30  |  Jean Van Daem 03/05/08   37.   # 19 space - land deeds 08:36  |  Gregor 03/05/08   38.   to Gregor #35 10:40  |  zeev 03/05/08   39.   14: Zeev shows his hypocrisy again 17:17  |  David Teich 06/05/08

Read & React Erekat: No progress in Monday's talks, key issues still contested Responses: 71 Moshe Arens: Is Olmert pushing for peace at any price? Responses: 50 Daphna Golan: When will we listen to the Palestinians' suffering? Responses: 83 Soldier killed in Lebanon War 'finally promoted to rank of Jew' Responses: 47 Rosner's Domain Why progressives don't like Israel (WTR) Poll: If Olmert is gone, who should be PM? The Democrats are fighting over Iran Carter is helping Hamas achieve their strategic goal How people die in Gaza? (WTR) More Headlines 16:07 State: Olmert probe gag order won't be lifted before Independence Day 16:09 Barak: Probe will not affect Olmert's political decisions 14:24 Polish police: Kuwaiti envoy's son held 3 Jewish teens captive 12:30 Erekat: No progress in Monday's talks, key issues still contested 15:41 Palestinian forces kill bystander in clash with Jenin gunmen 15:48 Israel to honor fallen soldiers and victims of terror attacks 17:21 Police quiz Druze protesters over possible Memorial Day protests 10:12 Soldier killed in Lebanon War 'finally promoted to rank of Jew' 16:47 Israel at 60: Population nears 7.3 million, 76% Jewish 13:56 IAF airstrike kills Hamas gunman in northern Gaza mortar squad 15:45 Serial arsonist who hit 3 synagogues may have struck again 05:34 Boy's death in Lod fire may have been part of domestic dispute 11:32 1948 Diaries: Former Jordanian POW recalls Gush Etzion defeat Previous Editions Select Day 05 may 04 may 02 may 01 may 30 apr 29 apr 28 apr 27 apr 25 apr 24 apr 23 apr 22 apr

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Products Buy Dead Sea mineral skin care and beauty products. Coupon code Haaretz for 10% off. Together Celebrating Israel's 60th The Jewish Agency and world Jewry shaping the destiny of Israel and the Jewish people. Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer The interest rates haven't changed But your profits will! Learn Hebrew online with Israel's best teachers Sign up for a trial lesson today Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the