Kerry Arriving to Israel in Attempt to Save Peace Talks
“The Lord bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life!” (Psalm 128)
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry waves upon arrival for a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah January 4, 2014. (Photo: Issam Rimawi/Flash90)
In an effort to save collapsing peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will be making his way to Israel Monday in an unexpected visit.
Reported by the U.S. State Department to AFP, the sudden visit was confirmed by State Department Spokesperson Ken Psaki.
“Our negotiating team has been working with both parties on the ground to help them agree on a path forward, and Secretary Kerry has kept in close touch with his counterparts by phone,” Psaki said. “After consulting with his team, Secretary Kerry decided it would be productive to return to the region.”
Kerry, who was in Paris over the weekend, spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about how to move forward in peace negotiations. Psaki reported that Kerry will be in Israel on Monday and Tuesday and is expected to meet with Netanyahu and PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
“Over the course of the last eight months, the Israelis and Palestinians have both made tough choices, and as we work with them to determine the next steps, it is important they remember that only peace will bring the Israeli and Palestinians people both the security and economic prosperity they all deserve,” Psaki explained.
Over the last two weeks, peace talks have been on the verge of collapse. This past week, Israel blocked the release of Palestinian terrorists from prison on the grounds that Israel had no assurance the PA would continue to engage in peace negotiations past the April 29 deadline.
Rumors from the PA camp indicated that Abbas would walk out on peace talks immediately following the release of the prisoners. Lacking full confidence in the PA, Israel has refused to give the PA further concessions without a guarantee that it would stay at the negotiating table.
On Monday, Israel handed over a peace framework proposal to extend peace talks. In return, the PA demanded that it would only continue to engage in formal peace negotiations if Israel released an additional 1,000 prisoners, freeze settlement construction, and give over territory from Area C to PA control.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for commenting. Your comments are needed for helping to improve the discussion.