The United States has rejected an Israeli request to present to senior American officials a unilateral separation plan from the Palestinians, reported Haaretz newspaper on Sunday.
The plan was drawn up by members of the Israeli security personnel.
The Americans said that reason for the rejection was technical, claiming that the forum in which Israel had wanted to present the plan was inappropriate, a source told the daily.
The source added that Israeli and the US officials will participate in the twice-yearly meeting on strategic cooperation in Eilat Monday.
In the past, the two sides have shared their overviews of the political and security situation, and present to each other issues that could pose a strategic problem or threat, according to Haaretz.
Usually Iran, Iraq, and other important topics are the issues discussed.
“This time, Israel requested to present its program for a unilateral separation from the Palestinians, but the Americans said the strategic talks are not designated for such topics,” said the source.
The Israeli side will present a survey compiled by the Foreign Ministry regarding Israel's relations with Asian countries in response to an American survey presented at the previous joint forum, regarding security problems on the continent, the source told the daily.
“The Israelis will also discuss the effects of the cancellation of the Phalcon AWACS system deal with China, which was done due to American pressure.”
According to Haaretz, the two delegations at the strategic conference are headed by the director-general of the Defense Ministry, Amos Yaron, and the head of the State Departments' Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Eric Newsom – Albawbaa.com
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