News
Kerry returns to region in bid to broker peace talks extension
US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Israel late last night to try to resolve the stalemate over the release of a group of Palestinian prisoners and the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) refusal to extend peace talks.
Israel had been scheduled on Saturday night to free the fourth and final batch in the overall release of 104 Palestinian prisoners, which Israel agreed in order to allow the resumption of peace talks in July. With an end of April deadline on peace negotiations approaching, Israeli leaders, who have expressed their desire to extend talks, want a Palestinian commitment to continue negotiations before a release. However, the PA insists Israel must fulfil its commitment to free prisoners regardless.
Given the impasse, US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki announced yesterday, “Secretary Kerry decided it would be productive to return to the region.” Kerry apparently landed late last night and met with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem while Israel Radio news says Kerry also met senior PA officials. It is unclear whether Kerry will conduct follow up meetings today, but the Guardian adds that US special envoy Martin Indyk has met repeatedly with Israeli and Palestinian negotiators over the past two days.
AFP reports that the Palestinian leadership met in Ramallah yesterday evening and agreed to inform Kerry that unless the prisoner release is resolved within 24 hours, the PA will turn to the international bodies for redress. PA lawmaker Mustafa Barghouti is quoted saying, “If we don’t get an answer from John Kerry on the prisoners tonight, we’ll begin to ask for membership in all UN agencies tomorrow.”
Several sources, including Reuters and the New York Times suggest that a formula under discussion would see Israel release the fourth batch of Palestinian prisoners, the PA agree to extending the peace talks and the United States free convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard. However, White House spokesman Jay Carney said yesterday that there was nothing to update regarding Pollard.