'Israel may lease east Jerusalem from a Palestinian State'

Arab newspaper reports that US, Israel are discussing future borders; one option is leasing land from Palestinians for up to 99 years.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Obama speaks as Bibi looks on 311 (photo credit: Associated Press)
Obama speaks as Bibi looks on 311
(photo credit: Associated Press)
The US is negotiating the future borders of the Palestinian state with Israel, according to a report released by Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat on Friday.
One option is reportedly that Israel would lease land in east Jerusalem from the Palestinian state for 40-99 years.
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Palestinian sources confirmed to the paper that the US and Israel are discussing borders and settlements, but PA President Mahmoud Abbas does not yet know the details.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's office refused to confirm or deny the reports, and State Department sources told the paper that Israel and the US are discussing matters "as a part of the the close relations between the two countries."
Asharq Al-Awsat also reported that Israel and the Palestinians discussed the option of leasing land in talks at Taba in 2001, but they discussed leasing for 6-9 years, and not 99.