Netanyahu to retain final say on Palestinian peace deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have the final say in future peace talks with the Palestinians, an official said Tuesday, after Interior Minister Silvan Shalom was entrusted to oversee negotiations.

“The prime minister is responsible for the negotiations. Silvan Shalom will be holding the meetings with the Palestinians along with Yitzhak Molcho, the personal envoy of the premier,” the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

On Monday, Netanyahu announced he had charged Shalom, a veteran member of his right-wing Likud party, with conducting peace talks with the Palestinians.

Molcho, a discreet lawyer and Netanyahu confidant, was part of the last round of US-brokered negotiations conducted by then-justice minister Tzipi Livni with the Palestinians.

The talks fell apart in April 2014, and prospects for their renewal seem bleak with a lack of trust between the sides exacerbated by the formation of Netanyahu’s new coalition.

The government leans heavily to the right-wing and contains several ministers opposed to a Palestinian state.

The head of left-wing opposition party Meretz on Tuesday slammed Shalom’s “empty” position.

“This is a sad joke,” said Zehava Gal-on, noting past remarks Shalom had made against a Palestinian state.

Netanyahu, however, reiterated his desire to reach a peace accord with the Palestinians in a speech Tuesday.

According to the prime minister, neighboring states consider Israel a “central partner” in dealing with “regional threats,” referring to Iran’s nuclear program and extremist Islamic militants.

“We will make every effort to translate this cooperation into processes for stability and peace, including attempts to reach a responsible political settlement with the Palestinians, which will safeguard Israel’s essential interests,” he said.

The Palestinians, however, reiterated their doubts.

“Netanyahu says he wants peace and appoints a head of the negotiations team, while on the ground he destroys peace and continues settlement building,” chief negotiator Saeb Erakat said.

The new government’s place was in front of “international courts”, he said, referring to the International Crime Court which the Palestinians joined last month in a bid to sue Israel over alleged war crimes.