Despite harsh criticism from right-wing ministers about the Annapolis peace summit, Israeli cabinet on Sunday decided to support the agreements reached regarding final-status negotiations with the Palestinians, local Yedioth Ahronoth said.
In its weekly meeting on Sunday, Israeli cabinet endorsed the understandings reached in the Annapolis peace conference regarding negotiations with the Palestinians.
Prime Minster Ehud Olmert stated in the meeting that "There is no doubt that this was a positive meeting that will enable the negotiations process between us and the Palestinians to move forward."
He also stressed that Israel will not have to carry out any commitment stemming from the agreement before all of the roadmap commitments are met.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni lauded the conference's results, saying that "the three major achievements of the Annapolis peace summit are its adherence to the Road Map principles, its flexibility with regard to the core issues at this stage, and its insistence on a 'hands off' policy as far as international involvement is concerned."
"We need to continue as support for moderate Arab leaders who do not view negotiations with Israel as high treason to the Arab cause," added Livni.
However, ministers from right-wing Shas and Yisrael Beiteinu slammed the summit's result.
Shas Chairman Eli Yishai said that Annapolis was "an unnecessary conference," adding that "we should certainly not talk with the radical Palestinians. We surrender more and more each time."
Yisrael Beiteinu's Avigdor Lieberman, minister for strategic affairs, said "The chance that Abbas would be able to control Gaza, as was required of him in Annapolis, is slim."
The peace summit's outcome was also harshly criticized by several Kadima members, saying that Israel should not engage in negotiations over core issues before it has made sure that the Palestinians are in full control over all the territories, including the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
Source: Xinhua
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