Expectations low as Kerry tries to breathe new life into peace talks Expectations for John Kerry's latest visit in Israel are markedly low as the US secretary of state makes a desperate attempt to salvage stagnant peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Israeli state officials described the visit as "another futile attempt" while the Palestinians asserted it was a last chance to save the peace talks before a chance for a two-state solution is permanently lost.
Kerry arrives in Israel for more talks amid tensions
US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Israel on Wednesday evening for another round of talks in Jerusalem and Ramallah, with Palestinian officials again voicing deep pessimism about any breakthrough in peace talks, and Israeli officials more keen on talking to Kerry about Iran than about the Palestinians. Kerry is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Thursday morning, followed by a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. A second meeting with Netanyahu on Thursday evening is possible if deemed necessary. This has been the pattern of Kerry’s meetings during previous visits. He is expected to fly back to the US on Friday. “The number one security challenge we face is Iran,” one Israeli government official said, explaining why Iran had in recent weeks totally eclipsed the Palestinian issue in Jerusalem. He added that it did not have to come at the expense of talks with the Palestinians, but would necessitate the Palestinians coming to the table with a commitment to making the negotiations work – something he charged had not yet been the case.
US officials: Secretary of State John Kerry will present the outlines of a West Bank security plan in meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders this week, stepping up American involvement in hopes of reviving faltering Mideast peace efforts, U.S. officials said Wednesday. The proposal will mark the first time that Kerry has directly intervened in the talks since they began in late July. By all accounts, the negotiations have made no progress, despite an April target date for reaching a deal |
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