During a visit to the Netherlands and following talks with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the Dutch government has agreed to assist Israel in improving its gas supplies to Gaza.
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“We are very thankful that Mahmoud Abbas accepted in principle the Russian initiative proposed by President Putin”.
An official close to Netanyahu said the deal is a sign that Israel’s policies are fruitful in the West and that there is a rising awareness on the importance of issues linked to the livelihood of Palestinians and their social and humanitarian status.
On Tuesday, Abbas’s office criticized Netanyahu’s request from Russia to postpone a three-way meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was scheduled in Moscow next week.
But he says Israel has asked to delay the meeting until an unspecified later date.
Following the incident, Netanyahu, released a video from his plane in response to the incident saying, “Today we saw another clear example of those who want peace, and those who don’t.”In the video he says, “I will continue to proudly present Israel’s position to the world and strengthen its worldwide standing.” “.
The incident comes after former Dutch Prime Minister Dries van Agt, a longtime Palestinian activist, said in an interview on a public television station that Netanyahu is a “war criminal” who should be prosecuted during his visit to the Netherlands.
“The main question is, of course, is Abu Mazen (Abbas) willing to meet without preconditions?”
On Tuesday after talks in Palestinian political capital Ramallah, he said efforts would continue to work towards a future meeting.
During his meeting with the Dutch MPs, Netanyahu told them that “in many respects” Israel’s defense of itself served to protect Europe, too.
In the clip, Mr Netanyahu is being greeted by Dutch delegates before coming face-to-face with Mr Kuzu.
At the same time, the Palestinians themselves remain divided between Abbas’s Fatah party and the Islamist movement Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip.
Huge pro-Palestine protests were held in the country ahead of his arrive with protesters holding banners which read “send him right away to the International Criminal Court”. It is one of several global initiatives, including a French plan to host an worldwide peace conference and Egyptian offers to bring the sides together as well.
The Palestinians strongly support France’s worldwide approach, saying years of negotiations with the Israelis have not ended the occupation. Mr Abbas said global help to end the conflict was crucial.
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“Israel always escapes from any global initiative to rescue the stalled peace process in the Middle East”, said Abu Rdineh.
