BICOM

US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Israel yesterday for talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders and outlined the framework which he hopes both sides will accept as guidelines for negotiations on core issues.

Kerry met for several hours yesterday evening with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who heads Israel’s negotiating team and Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon. At a brief press conference alongside Netanyahu, Kerry praised Netanyahu’s “courage” to release Palestinian prisoners earlier this week and emphasised that “Israel’s security concerns are uppermost in my mind.” But, he said “The time is soon arriving when leaders will have to make tough decisions.”

Kerry then addressed the much-discussed framework document which he said would “provide the agreed guidelines for permanent-status negotiations.” He explained that the framework would ensure both sides know “where they are going” when it comes to talks on borders, security, refugees, Jerusalem, mutual recognition and an end to claims. He added, “It will take compromise from both sides. But an agreed framework would be a significant breakthrough.” US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf added that the framework would create “fixed, defined parameters” to future talks. Israeli media reports say that it would summarize the two sides’ positions and act as a mandate to continue peace talks beyond the agreed April deadline.

Netanyahu emphasised that the Israeli people are ready for an “historic peace,” but that “there’s growing doubt in Israel that the Palestinians are committed to peace.” Referencing the enthusiastic welcome given earlier this week by Palestinian Authority (PA) President Abbas to the released Palestinian prisoners, all convicted of involvement in murdering Israelis, Netanyahu asked “How can President Abbas say that he stands against terrorism, when he embraces the perpetrators of terrorism and glorifies them as heroes?” He called on the Palestinian Authority to fight terror, end incitement, to recognise Israel as a Jewish state, meet Israeli security needs and be “prepared to truly end the conflict once and for all.”