Israel Matzav

Resumption of 'negotiations' not yet a done deal

In announcing Friday that Israelis and Palestinians had established “a basis” for resuming direct peace negotiations, Mr. Kerry included a caveat. “If everything goes as expected,” he said, chief negotiators for each side will convene in Washington “within a week or so.”

That, apparently, was a reference to the prisoner deal, negotiated in a series of hurried telephone calls with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Friday evening as Mr. Kerry was eager to get home but determined not to leave empty-handed after six visits in four months.

It remained unclear on Saturday how many Palestinian prisoners were to be released and when, though it was unlikely to happen before the first meeting in Washington. It was also not clear whether the vote required was of Mr. Netanyahu’s full cabinet or a smaller circle of top ministers known as the security cabinet, both of which meet regularly on Sundays; Mr. Netanyahu has secured the support of several key ministers.

The formula Mr. Kerry negotiated, officials said, involves the United States’ making a declaration about the borders and settlements, and recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, that Mr. Netanyahu and President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority can distance themselves from while still negotiating.

The Palestinian political leadership expressed dissatisfaction with that formula on Thursday, but when it became clear that Israel would not budge further, the focus on Friday turned back to prisoners, an issue with profound emotional resonance on both sides. Palestinians consider the men in Israel’s jails, particularly those serving since before Oslo, prisoners of war. Israelis call them terrorists. Some have been convicted of multiple murders, and the families of their victims have already made passionate public appeals against the release.

“Releasing terrorists in order for there to be negotiations and a meeting in Washington in a week’s time — we’re getting nothing in return,” Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon complained on Israel Radio. “They’re not in prison for traffic violations. They’re major terrorists who have murdered, some with their own hands. They’ve kidnapped soldiers, buried them alive, shocking stories.”

Mr. Netanyahu’s office refused to discuss the deal on Saturday. Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, said he had “committed to John Kerry and President Abbas to shut up for 48 hours until we finalize everything, but things are looking good.”

Labels: 1949 armistice lines, Middle East peace process, negotiations without preconditions, Palestinian terrorists

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:13 AM