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CMEP Bulletin: Diplomatic Pressures Rise Over Palestinians, Iran
Written by Churches for Middle East Peace Talks about talks continue Talks between Israelis and Palestinians in Jordan continued this week in an ongoing effort to find a way to get back to direct negotiations. However, it seems like little progress has been made so far. The third meeting between Palestinian and Israeli negotiators took place on Saturday, January 14 in Amman, Jordan. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and Israeli envoy Yitzhak Molcho agreed to meet again on January 25. The next day, January 26, marks the day some believe the Quartet’s timetable for submitting proposals on borders and security expires. Palestinians say they held up their end of the deal by submitting a proposal in November and point out that Israel has thus far refused to do so. Now it seems Israel’s goal is to keep the Palestinians talking past the deadline. Before last week’s meeting, Israeli officials said Israel wants to arrange a summit between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Mahmoud Abbas in March, with talks continuing in the meantime. Ynet News reports that Netanyahu would present his plan on borders and security at that summit, which will include security positions such as a demilitarized Palestinian Authority and Israeli rule in the Jordan Valley for several decades. The meeting on January 25 will be crucial in determining whether talks of any kind will move forward. However, there is little optimism that the meeting will result in much progress. According to Ynet News, Palestinian officials stressed that Israeli positions during the talks have left little chance that direct negotiations will follow. Palestinians continue to insist Israel halt all settlement activity before negotiations can re-start. Jordan’s King Abdullah II, who is hosting the talks, met with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington on Tuesday, January 17 to discuss developments in the region. The monarch expressed a glimmer of hope for progress toward direct negotiations. In an interview with the Washington Post, he said, “We all know the positions in which they have entrenched themselves. However, the intent, I believe, is there — from both sides. It is little baby steps, right at the beginning.” Click here to continue reading this CMEP Bulletin, including the following items:
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