BRITAIN: ISRAEL NOT INVITED TO PEACE CONFERENCE

Blair's Peace Initiative Dismays Israel
Although Israel views Blair as a solid ally, there is wariness at his attempt to insert himself into the peace process, particularly with the proposed conference in January which Israel is being discouraged from attending. An Israeli official said: "We recognize Tony Blair as a friend of Israel, but he is a friend who thinks he knows what is best for us. There is a widely held view here that Mr. Blair wants to force the pace."

Israel is concerned that Blair's Middle East conference will bypass the first phase of the road map, particularly the requirement for the Palestinian leadership to curb violence, and push on to the second phase which foresees the creation of a provisional Palestinian state. Israel's real concern appears to be that it could lead to U.S. pressure to move on to the creation of a Palestinian state much quicker than Sharon desires.

British officials said Israel would not be invited. "What we're trying to do is implement phase one of the road map," said one British official. "We are not asking the Israelis to come. We don't really want them there because that increases the arguments and pointless political discussion. But they may invite themselves because they fear that if the Palestinians show up and agree to everything, the EU might say: let's shoot for phase two." (Guardian-UK)