Netanyahu to Meet with Kerry to Discuss French 'Peace Initiative'

JERUSALEM, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Rome Sunday to discuss the French "peace initiative" with Secretary of State John Kerry and E.U. Foreign Policy chief Federica Mogherini.

Upon his return to Jerusalem, Netanyahu will meet with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

According to Israeli media, discussions will focus on the latest report by the Quartet (U.S., E.U., U.N. and Russia) blaming Israel for the stalemated peace process and harshly criticizing Jewish "settlements" (towns and cities) outside the pre-1967 armistice lines. That includes Judea, Samaria, Gush Etzion and the Golan Heights for starters.

Meanwhile, in remarks to the E.U. parliament, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas blamed Israel for global terrorism and said the Israeli-Arab conflict is the root of all the problems in the Middle East. Abbas also repeated erroneous allegations by the P.A. Foreign Ministry that Israelis are attempting to poison water supplies in P.A.-controlled areas.

"Once the occupation [sic] ends, terrorism will disappear," Abbas told European parliamentarians. "There will be no more terrorism in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world."

Abbas also said the P.A. will not compromise on any part of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which Netanyahu said could only be used as a basis to restart talks.

The 2002 Saudi-led initiative calls for an Israeli withdrawal from all territory acquired during the 1967 Six-Day War, dividing Jerusalem and accepting the so-called Palestinian right of return.

Netanyahu's office released a statement in reaction to Abbas' (Abu Mazen) comments.

"In Brussels Abu Mazen showed his true face. Someone who refuses to meet President Rivlin and Prime Minister Netanyahu for direct negotiations and spreads a blood libel in the European Parliament falsely claims that his hand is extended in peace," the statement read.
 
"Israel awaits the day when Abu Mazen stops spreading lies and dealing in incitement. Until then, Israel will continue to defend itself against Palestinian incitement, which motivates acts of terrorism."

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin addressed the parliament the day before Abbas spoke. Rivlin offered to meet with Abbas on the sidelines of the Brussels meetings, but he refused though several E.U. leaders reportedly urged him to do so.