Palestinian leaders reject President Bush's approval of Israel's plan for a unilateral withdrawal from all of Gaza but only parts of the West Bank. Ahmed Qurei, the Palestinian Prime Minister, states that Palestinians cannot accept the notion that Israel would retain some Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Yasser Arafat, the head of the Palestinian Authority, asserts that Palestinians will defend their land and will never cease their efforts to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. On Wednesday, President Bush, in announcing support for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan, said that dismantling all Jewish settlements in the West Bank would not be realistic. Colin Powell, the U.S. Secretary of State, who met with Ariel Sharon on Thursday morning, has urged Qurei in a phone call to focus on the complete withdrawal of Israel from Gaza.
Palestinian Leaders Reject President Bush's Approval of Israeli Plan - 2004-04-15
Palestinian leaders have rejected President Bush's endorsement of Israel's plan to withdraw from Gaza while retaining parts of the West Bank. Key figures like Ahmed Qurei and Yasser Arafat emphasize the need for full Palestinian sovereignty and the defense of their land. This rejection highlights ongoing tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges of U.S. foreign policy in the region.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Palestinian leaders rejected President Bush's support for Israel's unilateral withdrawal plan, which proposed leaving some Jewish settlements in the West Bank. They emphasized the need for full Palestinian sovereignty and the defense of their land.
- Bush stated that dismantling all Jewish settlements in the West Bank was unrealistic.
- Qurei and Arafat asserted that Palestinians would not accept any retention of Israeli settlements.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for decades, centered around issues of territory, statehood, and mutual recognition. This particular episode highlights the deep divisions over land and sovereignty.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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