'Absurd' Israeli demand seen as bid to sabotage US peace talks

Cape Times, 16.11.07. JERUSALEM: Israel is hardening its stance towards the Palestinians - just weeks ahead of US peace talks - by insisting that they recognise the Jewish nature of the state. This demand, slammed by the liberal Haaretz daily as "absurd", appears to have come from nowhere at a time when negotiating teams from both sides are working to agree on a joint document for the November 27 meeting at Annapolis, Maryland. "There has never been a debate on this question ..." a surprised foreign ministry official said. "It's obvious that the Palestinians cannot recognise the Jewish nature of Israel. It will be difficult to move forward with such a demand."