Israeli, Palestinian negotiator confrontation

2012-01-27 20

A bitter confrontation broke out between the head of the Israeli negotiating team Yitzhak Molcho and chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat during their meeting In Jordan on Saturday. Erekat and Molcho exchanged harsh words in front of their stunned Jordanian hosts, with the argument reaching its peak when Prime Minister Netanyahu's envoy asked to present Israel's position on security arrangements. Erekat refused to let him present the Israeli stance, and Molcho responded by leveling harsh criticism at Erekat. Molcho and Erekat are due to meet in Jordan on Wednesday for the fifth time, a day ahead of the January 26 deadline set by the Palestinians for Israel to present their position on the question of borders. The Palestinians are threatening to leave the talks in Jordan if Israel does not declare its stance by the set deadline.