El-Husseini: Negotiating with Barak is difficult; reaching understanding with Natenyahu is impossible

Faisel El-Husseini, a member in the executive committee of the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) said that if negotiating with Ehud Barak of the Israeli Labor Party is difficult, reaching an understanding with Likud Prime Minister Netanyahu will be impossible.

El-Hussini told Palestinian television yesterday about his position concerning the Palestinians, saying he is for an Israeli government that respects its commitments and pledges, while it was clear throughout the past three years that Netanyahu never adheres to these commitments.

El-Husseini stated that all the Israeli Jewish parties agree that Jerusalem with its eastern and western parts will be the perpetual capital of Israel, a position refused by the Palestinians, adding that the eastern and western parts of the city are subject to the decision of UN Security Council resolution 343 and withdrawal by Israel as the city is the capital of the Palestinian independent state.

El-Husseini said the Palestinian side doesn't seek to divide Jerusalem or establish a line between the city's sections but to keep it as an open city on the basis that the western part stay under the Israeli sovereignty and that an Israeli - Palestinian coordination committee manages concerns regarding the city in light of each side's sovereignty.