BICOM

Following US special envoy Martin Indyk’s return to the region, Israeli and Palestinian representatives are today resuming discussions aimed at finding a package deal that will allow them to extend the period of negotiations due to expire on 29 April.

Yesterday, a five Israeli lawmaker delegation (three from Labour, two from Meretz) ,comprising some of the Caucus to Solve the Israel-Arab Conflict, visited Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. Abbas reportedly told them of his preference to continue talks for a further nine months, as long as the fourth tranche of prisoners – which includes 14 Israeli Arab prisoners – are released by Israel. According to the reports, Abbas suggested that the first three months of further negotiations be focused on the sides resolving the border issue between them, during which Israel would freeze all settlement activity.

Abbas was also quoted as saying that if the diplomatic stalemate continued, he would ask Israel to “take the keys” and resume responsibility for areas where the Palestinian Authority (PA) currently operates. This position was echoed by Palestinian Religious Affairs Minister Mahmoud al-Habash who warned Israel that the PA would be dismantled if the situation does not change by the end of 2014.

In addition, last night Israel’s Channel 2 reported that the head of the Shin Bet security service, Yoram Cohen recommended that if the government goes through with the final release of Palestinian prisoners in the peace talks, 10 of them be sent to the Gaza Strip or abroad.