BICOM

During a press conference in London yesterday alongside Foreign Secretary William Hague, US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed cautious optimism over the ongoing peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA).

It is thought that several rounds of talks between the two sides have taken place during the last month. Kerry reiterated yesterday that “we’re not going to discuss the substance” of the talks, with a strict media blackout in place to guard against potential leaks which could hamper the negotiations. However, Kerry did say “I am encouraged that even though there have been difficulties along the way on both sides in their countries…nevertheless, they are staying at it… That encourages me, in terms of the determination and purpose.”

Later in the day, Foreign Secretary Hague met with PA President Mahmoud Abbas, who is on a four-day visit to London. In a statement, Hague said that he paid tribute “to the courageous leadership he [Abbas] and Prime Minister Netanyahu have shown in agreeing to return to negotiations on the Middle East Peace Process.” He commented that “if we do not succeed now” in reaching a negotiated peace “we may not get another chance.” Hague reiterated the UK’s commitment towards reaching an agreement leading to “a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state, based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, with Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states.”

Meanwhile, reports claim that the Israeli government is set to make a second complaint in a week to the United States over leaked reports regarding the talks in the Arab media, which claim that the PA is unhappy over Israeli suggestions on issues including control of the border with Jordan and the amount of West Bank territory Israel wishes to retain. An unnamed Israeli official told the Jerusalem Post that “The leaks undermine the process.”