Palestinians: Money Yes; Concessions No

YERUSHALAYIM

The Palestinian Authority responded on Monday to Secretary of State John Kerry’s $4 billion economic revitalization plan, though probably not in the manner that was hoped for.

The PA said it would not make “political concessions in exchange for economic benefits,” AFP reported.

In a statement from the Palestine Investment Fund and Economic Adviser Mohammad Mustafa, it was stated the PA will “not accept that the economy is the primary and sole component.”

He made clear that they are not trading any preconditions to negotiations for a carrot, no matter how tempting.

“We wish it [the economy] to be part of a political framework that will ensure the creation of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Yerushalayim its capital and the rights of refugees and a reference to a political solution — these are the priorities,” AFP quoted the statement as reading.

“The plan for the Palestinian economy is bigger and bolder and more ambitious than anything proposed since Oslo more than 20 years ago,” said Kerry.

But, he cautioned on Sunday, its implementation would depend on progress toward peace, a precondition that may not be on the Palestinian agenda.

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