Blair accuses Israel of wrecking major PA economic project

[bemildred]

The Quartet's Middle East envoy Tony Blair is accusing Israel of obstructing one of the West Bank's most important economic projects, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlines his economic peace vision abroad.

Blair joined the Palestinian Authority in accusing Israel of violating the agreement to allocate frequencies to operate the Palestinians' second cellular phone company in the West Bank, Wataniya Mobile. The company has threatened to pull out of the deal.

If Israel delays releasing the frequencies any further, Wataniya Mobile's $700 million investment in the West Bank could go down the drain and other investors could be deterred, Blair wrote in a Quartet document. Blair said that releasing the frequencies, which Israel and the PA agreed on in 2008, would bring the cash-strapped PA $214 million and help it to fulfill urgent financial needs.

Wataniya Mobile said on Sunday that it has set a September 15 deadline for the release of frequencies needed for the mobile phone network launch scheduled for October 15. Unless Israel releases the frequencies by then, Wataniya will demand $140 million in license fee returns and other financial compensation.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1110390.html

[azurnoir]

1. Doesn't sound to good for that "economic peace"

or new prosperity in the WB that has been so highly touted recently

[bemildred]

2. I'm just surprised Tony has gone anti-semitic all of a sudden.

:hi:

[grassfed]

3. just like those irrational hate-filled Scandinavians

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWXyb2YxiVI&eurl

[bemildred]

4. Sorry, I don't do U-Tube.

Nothing personal.

[shira]

5. nope, this appears like very legitimite criticism, not demonization

[bemildred]

7. Always a pleasure when we can agree.

:hi:

[Howardx]

6. hahaha

:toast: