JTA: Engel’s Remarks regarding Settlement
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency picked up on Rep. Eliot Engel’s remarks to EMET during our most recent seminar on Peace-making and the Iranian Threat:
Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) says he believes Israel needs to make concessions on settlements, but thinks they must be made in concert with some kind of concessions from the Palestinians at the same time.
Speaking at a program co-sponored by EMET: The Endowment for Middle East Truth and the Heritage Foundation , Engel also said, though, that “he would look with tremendous askance if any adminstration” failed to honor the Bush-Sharon 2004 understanding which permitted Israel to continue to build in large settlement blocs which it would be likely to keep in any peace deal. The Obama administration has signaled that it would not adhere to that informal agreement, but Engel said he would probably make his feelings on that issue privately to the administration.
“I don’t want Israel pressured into making unilateral concessions up front in return for nothing,” said Engel, referring to settlements. “Palestinians need to do things simultaneously. I don’t mind if Israel makes concessions at the same time the Palestinians are making tangible concessions.” Asked afterward what those might be on the Palestinian side, Engel suggested that reducing incitement against Jews and Israel could one area for the Palestinians to work on.