Analysis: The Saudi fig leaf

By: Anshel Pfeffer – The Jerusalem Post

Much has changed in the five years since the Saudi initiative first emerged, but two principles have remained sacrosanct. The Palestinians, backed by the Arab leaders, have adamantly refused to back down from the demand for the “right of return” of Palestinian refugees. All Israeli governments continue to oppose any concession on the issue, reflecting the consensus that allowing the refugees back would amount to suicide of the Jewish state.

So how was Prime Minister Ehud Olmert suddenly saying to the cabinet that he was ready to “treat seriously” the taboo initiative, already rejected out of hand by his predecessor and patron, Ariel Sharon? And how was such a statement greeted with barely a peep from the other ministers, or even from the opposition?

Olmert’s announcement was preceded by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni’s interview with an Arab newspaper, in which she said parts of the Saudi initiative were acceptable, but not the “right of return.”

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