US Secretary of State John Kerry announced today that Israelis and Palestinians will resume direct peace negotiations in Washington this week, ending a three-year diplomatic freeze and raising cautious hopes for progress toward a two-state solution.
The Announcement
After six months of intensive shuttle diplomacy, Kerry declared: “I’m pleased to announce that we’ve reached an agreement that establishes a basis for resuming direct final status negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis.”
Key Breakthroughs
- Prisoner Release: Israel agreed to release 104 Palestinian prisoners in stages
- Settlement Restraint: Unofficial understanding on limiting settlement activity
- Borders Basis: Negotiations to be based on 1967 lines with land swaps
- Nine-Month Timeline: Initial commitment to negotiate for nine months
Negotiating Teams
Israeli Team:
- Chief Negotiator: Justice Minister Tzipi Livni
- Special Envoy: Yitzhak Molcho
Palestinian Team:
- Chief Negotiator: Saeb Erekat
- Senior Advisor: Mohammed Shtayyeh
Overcoming Obstacles
Kerry’s achievement required:
- 20 visits to the region
- Countless phone calls
- Economic incentives package
- Arab League backing
- Creative compromises on preconditions
Initial Reactions
President Obama: “This is a promising step forward, though hard work and hard choices remain ahead.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu: “Israel wants a peace agreement. This is important and crucial for our future.”
President Abbas: “We hope this will be the last round of negotiations and lead to implementing the two-state solution.”
Skepticism Remains
Critics cite:
- Failed history of past negotiations
- Continued settlement expansion
- Hamas opposition from Gaza
- Deep gaps on core issues
- Weak political positions of leaders
Core Issues to Address
- Borders: Defining the Palestinian state
- Security: Israel’s requirements vs Palestinian sovereignty
- Jerusalem: Status of the contested capital
- Refugees: Right of return for Palestinians
- Recognition: Jewish state vs Palestinian rights
Regional Context
The talks resume amid:
- Egyptian political turmoil
- Syrian civil war
- Iranian nuclear concerns
- Shifting regional priorities
Analysis
While Kerry’s persistence deserves credit, fundamental obstacles remain:
- Both leaders face domestic opposition
- Core positions appear irreconcilable
- Regional instability complicates efforts
- Public skepticism runs deep
The real test will be whether this round can move beyond process to address substantive issues that have derailed every previous attempt at peace.