BICOM

US Secretary of State John Kerry held talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem yesterday as he looks to revive direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Kerry is beginning a period of shuttle diplomacy between Jerusalem and Ramallah, in an effort to find a formula whereby the two sides will agree to a return to direct talks. Having already met with PA President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday, Kerry had dinner yesterday evening with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon.

Earlier in the day, Kerry met with Israel’s President Shimon Peres and both expressed cautious optimism over efforts to kick-start talks. Peres said that gaps between the two sides could be bridged, adding “The two-state solution is the best solution and the parameters for that agreement already exist, two states for two peoples – a Jewish state, Israel and an Arab state, Palestine.” Kerry commented, “I am convinced there is a road forward. I would say to everyone that I have no illusions about the difficulties.”

Various reports suggest that PA leaders are continuing to condition a return to talks on a series of Israeli actions. Haaretz says that Abbas reaffirmed demands that Israel institute a freeze on construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in addition to releasing Palestinian prisoners as a pre-condition to talks. The Telegraph suggests that Kerry proposed an amended version of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative as a basis for talks. The initiative would facilitate a comprehensive peace across the Arab world, but Kerry’s plan softens language on a full Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told Voice of Palestine radio that the PA had rejected Kerry’s amendments. Other reports suggest that the Palestinians are demanding that Israel submit a proposed map for future borders at the outset of any new round of negotiations. Netanyahu has until now wanted to address Israel’s security concerns before entering into detailed discussion on borders.