9 apr 2014
China's President Xi Jinping urged Israel to make "brave" decisions on the latest round of peace talks with the Palestinians, after negotiators ended another U.S-mediated session with no sign of a breakthrough.
"At present, the Israeli-Palestinian talks process has entered a crucial stage; there are opportunities and also many difficulties," Xi told visiting Israeli President Shimon Peres, China's foreign ministry said late on Tuesday.
"(China) hopes that Israel keeps in mind the broader picture of peace, shows strategic wisdom, makes brave decisions as early as possible, and pushes, along with the international community and Palestinians, for substantive progress on peace talks," Xi added.
The U.S.-brokered negotiations, which began in July, plunged into crisis last week after Israel, demanding a Palestinian commitment to continue talking beyond an April 29 deadline for a peace deal, failed to carry out a promised release of about two dozen Palestinian prisoners.
China has traditionally had a low profile in Middle East diplomacy despite its reliance on oil imports from there, but is keen to assert its role as a force in international politics.
Last year, Xi met both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, urging them to revive discussions.
Xi, who took office in March last year, did not outline any specific proposals for the peace talks, saying simply that China would keep "playing a constructive role."
Xi said the Chinese and Jewish peoples had long had friendly relations, pointing out China's role in fighting "fascism and militarism" during World War Two.
Beijing has maintained close relations with the Palestinians for decades. In recent years, it has also cultivated ties with Israel, though Israel is wary of China's links with Iran.
China, Iran's top oil customer and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has opposed unilateral sanctions on Tehran, such as those imposed by Washington and the European Union, and has called repeatedly for talks to resolve the stand-off over Iran's contested nuclear program.
"At present, the Israeli-Palestinian talks process has entered a crucial stage; there are opportunities and also many difficulties," Xi told visiting Israeli President Shimon Peres, China's foreign ministry said late on Tuesday.
"(China) hopes that Israel keeps in mind the broader picture of peace, shows strategic wisdom, makes brave decisions as early as possible, and pushes, along with the international community and Palestinians, for substantive progress on peace talks," Xi added.
The U.S.-brokered negotiations, which began in July, plunged into crisis last week after Israel, demanding a Palestinian commitment to continue talking beyond an April 29 deadline for a peace deal, failed to carry out a promised release of about two dozen Palestinian prisoners.
China has traditionally had a low profile in Middle East diplomacy despite its reliance on oil imports from there, but is keen to assert its role as a force in international politics.
Last year, Xi met both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, urging them to revive discussions.
Xi, who took office in March last year, did not outline any specific proposals for the peace talks, saying simply that China would keep "playing a constructive role."
Xi said the Chinese and Jewish peoples had long had friendly relations, pointing out China's role in fighting "fascism and militarism" during World War Two.
Beijing has maintained close relations with the Palestinians for decades. In recent years, it has also cultivated ties with Israel, though Israel is wary of China's links with Iran.
China, Iran's top oil customer and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has opposed unilateral sanctions on Tehran, such as those imposed by Washington and the European Union, and has called repeatedly for talks to resolve the stand-off over Iran's contested nuclear program.
Israel is preparing a series of sanctions in case negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians completely collapse and the Palestinians turn to the United Nations institutions, the Israeli news website WALLA reported.
The sanctions package will include withdrawing the Palestinian leaders and officials’ VIP cards in the Palestinian Authority, confiscating the taxes that should go to the Palestinian Authority to offset obligations with the oil companies, delaying the implementation of economic projects in the Palestinian territories and restricting the movement of senior Palestinian businessmen who work in public economy projects.
According to WALLA, the Coordinator of the Israeli Government Activities, Major General Yoav Mordechai, prepared a series of sanctions for all the territories, in addition to a list that includes the names of the leaders who have VIP cards.
An Israeli security official said that this second package of sanctions is a direct result of the ongoing deterioration of the situation, adding that there will be more severe sanctions like cutting off the security cooperation. Nonetheless, another senior official said that security cooperation is not included in the third package of sanctions, because it serves the interest of both sides.
The sources said that this step will affect Israel's interests and that the Palestinian side will respond to this step.
In response to the Israeli decision to sanction the Palestinian side, Mustafa Barghouthi welcomed the Israeli decision to withdraw VIP cards because they facilitate Israel to exert political pressure on the Palestinians in exchange for silly privileges, as he described them.
Barghouthi told Palestine News Network that the Palestinian leadership should throw the VIP cards to the face of the occupation authorities, because Israel uses these benefits in exchange of violating more Palestinian rights.
Regarding the economic sanctions, Barghouti said they are a violation of international law and that they would be an even stronger incentive to adhere to international treaties, including the International Criminal Court, to prosecute and try Israel for its crimes.
Barghouthi added that it is clear that returning to negotiations was a mistake and said, "We have to realize that we are not in a stage to reach a solution with Israel, but in a stage of confrontation."
He also noted that Palestinians have suffered these sanctions before, but what is really needed is to provide a safety net to protect the internal domestic situation and the Palestinian economy.
The sanctions package will include withdrawing the Palestinian leaders and officials’ VIP cards in the Palestinian Authority, confiscating the taxes that should go to the Palestinian Authority to offset obligations with the oil companies, delaying the implementation of economic projects in the Palestinian territories and restricting the movement of senior Palestinian businessmen who work in public economy projects.
According to WALLA, the Coordinator of the Israeli Government Activities, Major General Yoav Mordechai, prepared a series of sanctions for all the territories, in addition to a list that includes the names of the leaders who have VIP cards.
An Israeli security official said that this second package of sanctions is a direct result of the ongoing deterioration of the situation, adding that there will be more severe sanctions like cutting off the security cooperation. Nonetheless, another senior official said that security cooperation is not included in the third package of sanctions, because it serves the interest of both sides.
The sources said that this step will affect Israel's interests and that the Palestinian side will respond to this step.
In response to the Israeli decision to sanction the Palestinian side, Mustafa Barghouthi welcomed the Israeli decision to withdraw VIP cards because they facilitate Israel to exert political pressure on the Palestinians in exchange for silly privileges, as he described them.
Barghouthi told Palestine News Network that the Palestinian leadership should throw the VIP cards to the face of the occupation authorities, because Israel uses these benefits in exchange of violating more Palestinian rights.
Regarding the economic sanctions, Barghouti said they are a violation of international law and that they would be an even stronger incentive to adhere to international treaties, including the International Criminal Court, to prosecute and try Israel for its crimes.
Barghouthi added that it is clear that returning to negotiations was a mistake and said, "We have to realize that we are not in a stage to reach a solution with Israel, but in a stage of confrontation."
He also noted that Palestinians have suffered these sanctions before, but what is really needed is to provide a safety net to protect the internal domestic situation and the Palestinian economy.
By Ata Hindi
Ata Hindi is the Communications Officer, Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Secretariat/Researcher at the Institute of Law at Birzeit University.
I originally wrote this piece with the usual Palestinian uneasiness a couple of weeks ago after President Mahmoud Abbas' meeting with US President Barack Obama.
I, like many other Palestinians, feared that he would be pressured into accepting an extension of what have been termed "negotiations" past the April 29 deadline, while Israel continued its ongoing violations against Palestine and the Palestinian people.
The Palestinians had gone too many years questioning decision after decision, policy after policy, on behalf of Palestine and the Palestinian people -- particularly insofar as international law was concerned.
What immediately comes to mind is Palestine's disconcerting failure in acceding to international treaties and joining international organizations, supported by a robust legal and victim-based strategy at the international level.
Many have been frustrated with the PLO for the perceived continuing disregard for the pain and suffering of the Palestinian people that continues to occur even while its representatives are seated at the negotiating table. Legal strategies were substituted with inexcusable political lingo and seemed lacking, unclear and substandard.
Then, on April 1, 2014, Palestine decided it will be "joining 15 international treaties including those pertaining to human, civil, women and disabled rights." These include both treaties and sets of treaties, equaling more than 15 in total -- some of which Israel is not yet party to. Palestine's ability to take this step was provided by General Assembly Resolution 67/19 -- which upgraded Palestine to non-member observer state status at the United Nations. The resolution provided the State of Palestine and the Palestinian people a means to pursue justice and accountability at the international level.
So have the Palestinians finally seen their leaders employ our ability to join international treaties and organizations as a right, rather than a threat? Palestine's accessions on April 1 indicate that justice and accountability for the Palestinian people was not the priority.
It has been reported that the Palestinian leadership has done the work necessary to join 63 agencies, organizations and treaties. The Palestinian people are, for the most part, unaware of this list and its contents. It does not suffice to say [PDF] that Palestine can join "as and when it sees fit."
If it is in the best interests of the Palestinian people, then the time is now. This is a right, not a threat.
If the PLO wanted to provide justice and accountability, the Palestinians should enjoy greater access to justice and accountability at the international level, including through accession to those instruments providing complaint mechanisms to these treaties. This would be complemented by a robust international legal strategy.
Now that we have acceded to the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, we should challenge the fundamental flaws of the Oslo Accords. We should challenge the restraints on our ability to investigate and prosecute Israeli war criminals.
With the International Court of Justice, we must strategize and return to the ICJ on questions of fundamental importance [PDF] to Palestine and the Palestinian people.
We should not delay our accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in order to protect the Palestinian people from future violations. The Palestinian leadership failed before when they fell short of continuing their push towards the 12(3) declaration accepting the jurisdiction of the Court from July 1, 2002. They should have further challenged the determination made by the Office of the Prosecutor (which had been shared beforehand).
Palestine's decision not to accede to the Rome Statute in exchange for a release of prisoners implies that accession to these treaties is a means for negotiations, rather than a sincere effort at providing justice and accountability for the Palestinian people. Israel has an obligation to release prisoners regardless -- not at the expense of the rights we can exercise as a state.
In relation, it has been the case that certain intergovernmental bodies have invited Palestine as an "entity" rather than a "state" due to pressure from the US. Such is a situation that cannot be accepted.
We should not sit back while the Report of the UN Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict sits on the shelves in New York and Geneva. The past session of the United Nations Human Rights Council has given us another an opportunity to pursue justice and accountability for Gaza. In relation, the Palestinians should immediately request a conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to remind Israel and third states of their obligations as it relates to the serious breaches of international humanitarian law committed by the State of Israel.
Ata Hindi is the Communications Officer, Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Secretariat/Researcher at the Institute of Law at Birzeit University.
I originally wrote this piece with the usual Palestinian uneasiness a couple of weeks ago after President Mahmoud Abbas' meeting with US President Barack Obama.
I, like many other Palestinians, feared that he would be pressured into accepting an extension of what have been termed "negotiations" past the April 29 deadline, while Israel continued its ongoing violations against Palestine and the Palestinian people.
The Palestinians had gone too many years questioning decision after decision, policy after policy, on behalf of Palestine and the Palestinian people -- particularly insofar as international law was concerned.
What immediately comes to mind is Palestine's disconcerting failure in acceding to international treaties and joining international organizations, supported by a robust legal and victim-based strategy at the international level.
Many have been frustrated with the PLO for the perceived continuing disregard for the pain and suffering of the Palestinian people that continues to occur even while its representatives are seated at the negotiating table. Legal strategies were substituted with inexcusable political lingo and seemed lacking, unclear and substandard.
Then, on April 1, 2014, Palestine decided it will be "joining 15 international treaties including those pertaining to human, civil, women and disabled rights." These include both treaties and sets of treaties, equaling more than 15 in total -- some of which Israel is not yet party to. Palestine's ability to take this step was provided by General Assembly Resolution 67/19 -- which upgraded Palestine to non-member observer state status at the United Nations. The resolution provided the State of Palestine and the Palestinian people a means to pursue justice and accountability at the international level.
So have the Palestinians finally seen their leaders employ our ability to join international treaties and organizations as a right, rather than a threat? Palestine's accessions on April 1 indicate that justice and accountability for the Palestinian people was not the priority.
It has been reported that the Palestinian leadership has done the work necessary to join 63 agencies, organizations and treaties. The Palestinian people are, for the most part, unaware of this list and its contents. It does not suffice to say [PDF] that Palestine can join "as and when it sees fit."
If it is in the best interests of the Palestinian people, then the time is now. This is a right, not a threat.
If the PLO wanted to provide justice and accountability, the Palestinians should enjoy greater access to justice and accountability at the international level, including through accession to those instruments providing complaint mechanisms to these treaties. This would be complemented by a robust international legal strategy.
Now that we have acceded to the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, we should challenge the fundamental flaws of the Oslo Accords. We should challenge the restraints on our ability to investigate and prosecute Israeli war criminals.
With the International Court of Justice, we must strategize and return to the ICJ on questions of fundamental importance [PDF] to Palestine and the Palestinian people.
We should not delay our accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in order to protect the Palestinian people from future violations. The Palestinian leadership failed before when they fell short of continuing their push towards the 12(3) declaration accepting the jurisdiction of the Court from July 1, 2002. They should have further challenged the determination made by the Office of the Prosecutor (which had been shared beforehand).
Palestine's decision not to accede to the Rome Statute in exchange for a release of prisoners implies that accession to these treaties is a means for negotiations, rather than a sincere effort at providing justice and accountability for the Palestinian people. Israel has an obligation to release prisoners regardless -- not at the expense of the rights we can exercise as a state.
In relation, it has been the case that certain intergovernmental bodies have invited Palestine as an "entity" rather than a "state" due to pressure from the US. Such is a situation that cannot be accepted.
We should not sit back while the Report of the UN Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict sits on the shelves in New York and Geneva. The past session of the United Nations Human Rights Council has given us another an opportunity to pursue justice and accountability for Gaza. In relation, the Palestinians should immediately request a conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to remind Israel and third states of their obligations as it relates to the serious breaches of international humanitarian law committed by the State of Israel.
Palestinian civilians run to safety during an Israeli strike over a UN school in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip on Jan. 17, 2009
These are all but a few steps that the Palestinians should strongly consider. Perhaps most importantly, we must seriously assess the illegality of this occupation as it relates to colonialism and apartheid.
Our occupiers and their supporters have lobbied heavily against these routes because they fear the law.
How can we negotiate with a state (Israel), through the mediation of another state (the United States), neither of which recognize the State of Palestine?
It must be made clear: we are a state and should be recognized as such at the negotiating table. There is no compromise on our borders, just like there will be no recognition of Israel as a "Jewish State" and just like there is no forfeiture on the legal right of return for all Palestinian refugees.
The law and justice are right there in front of President Mahmoud Abbas. He must continue moving forward and not turn back.
The free State of Palestine and justice and accountability for the Palestinian people are past due. It is time for the Palestinian Authority to rethink its current configuration. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs should take a leading role in creating and implementing a robust and aggressive international legal and victim-based strategy.
The negotiators should not monopolize Palestine's legal options to only be a used as playing cards on the negotiation table. An strategy should be drafted with the participation of NGOs on the ground that have been fighting through years of pain and frustration (perhaps a working group that can create a plan of action for the State of Palestine).
We must go to New York, to Geneva and The Hague and not look back. It is our time to get what has been long ours: peace, justice, accountability and freedom.
The Palestinian people cannot be held hostage to the situation created by the facade of negotiations.
We are a State. We must act like one.
Here, I remind the Palestinian leadership of the words of Malcolm X: "Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you're a man, you take it."
We are a people asking for justice and accountability. Let us take it.
The views expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect Ma'an News Agency's editorial policy.
These are all but a few steps that the Palestinians should strongly consider. Perhaps most importantly, we must seriously assess the illegality of this occupation as it relates to colonialism and apartheid.
Our occupiers and their supporters have lobbied heavily against these routes because they fear the law.
How can we negotiate with a state (Israel), through the mediation of another state (the United States), neither of which recognize the State of Palestine?
It must be made clear: we are a state and should be recognized as such at the negotiating table. There is no compromise on our borders, just like there will be no recognition of Israel as a "Jewish State" and just like there is no forfeiture on the legal right of return for all Palestinian refugees.
The law and justice are right there in front of President Mahmoud Abbas. He must continue moving forward and not turn back.
The free State of Palestine and justice and accountability for the Palestinian people are past due. It is time for the Palestinian Authority to rethink its current configuration. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs should take a leading role in creating and implementing a robust and aggressive international legal and victim-based strategy.
The negotiators should not monopolize Palestine's legal options to only be a used as playing cards on the negotiation table. An strategy should be drafted with the participation of NGOs on the ground that have been fighting through years of pain and frustration (perhaps a working group that can create a plan of action for the State of Palestine).
We must go to New York, to Geneva and The Hague and not look back. It is our time to get what has been long ours: peace, justice, accountability and freedom.
The Palestinian people cannot be held hostage to the situation created by the facade of negotiations.
We are a State. We must act like one.
Here, I remind the Palestinian leadership of the words of Malcolm X: "Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you're a man, you take it."
We are a people asking for justice and accountability. Let us take it.
The views expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect Ma'an News Agency's editorial policy.
Fatah central committee member Azzam al-Ahmad warned on Wednesday that Israeli sanctions will lead to the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority.
Al-Ahmad told Ma'an that the PA will not announce its dismantling outright, but stressed that Israeli actions will "lead to its collapse."
Al-Ahmad's comments come amid a near breakdown in peace talks between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, after Israel refused to release a group of Palestinian prisoners as previously agreed upon if the Palestinians refused to extend talk beyond the deadline at the end of April.
After Palestinian leaders announced that they would accede to 15 international conventions, Israel announced that it would impose sanctions as it considers the move an attempt to seek international recognition and potential intervention by Palestinians.
"The United States and Israel are jointly responsible for the collapse of the PA and its consequences," al-Ahmad said.
Al-Ahmad told Ma'an that the PA will not announce its dismantling outright, but stressed that Israeli actions will "lead to its collapse."
Al-Ahmad's comments come amid a near breakdown in peace talks between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, after Israel refused to release a group of Palestinian prisoners as previously agreed upon if the Palestinians refused to extend talk beyond the deadline at the end of April.
After Palestinian leaders announced that they would accede to 15 international conventions, Israel announced that it would impose sanctions as it considers the move an attempt to seek international recognition and potential intervention by Palestinians.
"The United States and Israel are jointly responsible for the collapse of the PA and its consequences," al-Ahmad said.
Hamas said on Wednesday that Palestinians in the West Bank should "give full rein" to resistance against the Israeli occupation and end security cooperation with Israel.
The moves comes hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered government officials to stop cooperation with Palestinian officials as part of a round of sanctions on the PA as peace negotiations between the two sides stalled in recent days.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoun said PA President Mahmoud Abbas should take advantage of Netanyahu's decision and end all aspects of security coordination with Israel.
Abbas should let resistance "deter the Israeli occupation and defend our people, our land, and our holy places," Barhoun said in a statement.
He said Abbas should end negotiations and recruit regional and international opposition to the occupation.
The failure of the the peace talks so far proves that Hamas was correct in its view that negotiations with Israel only have a negative impact on the Palestinian people, the statement said.
Barhoun also urged Arab countries to support regional and international divestment from Israel.
Netanyahu's decision to cut coordination with Palestinian officials comes in response to the PLO's decision to apply to join 15 international conventions.
Palestinian officials say the decision to apply to the international conventions was in direct response to Israel's failure to release a fourth and final round of veteran prisoners as agreed.
Peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians were relaunched in July under the auspices of the US after nearly three years of impasse.
Israel's government has announced the construction of thousands of settler housing units and its army has killed 60 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza since the negotiations began.
The moves comes hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered government officials to stop cooperation with Palestinian officials as part of a round of sanctions on the PA as peace negotiations between the two sides stalled in recent days.
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoun said PA President Mahmoud Abbas should take advantage of Netanyahu's decision and end all aspects of security coordination with Israel.
Abbas should let resistance "deter the Israeli occupation and defend our people, our land, and our holy places," Barhoun said in a statement.
He said Abbas should end negotiations and recruit regional and international opposition to the occupation.
The failure of the the peace talks so far proves that Hamas was correct in its view that negotiations with Israel only have a negative impact on the Palestinian people, the statement said.
Barhoun also urged Arab countries to support regional and international divestment from Israel.
Netanyahu's decision to cut coordination with Palestinian officials comes in response to the PLO's decision to apply to join 15 international conventions.
Palestinian officials say the decision to apply to the international conventions was in direct response to Israel's failure to release a fourth and final round of veteran prisoners as agreed.
Peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians were relaunched in July under the auspices of the US after nearly three years of impasse.
Israel's government has announced the construction of thousands of settler housing units and its army has killed 60 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza since the negotiations began.
Arab foreign ministers gathered on Wednesday with President Mahmoud Abbas said Israel was "wholly responsible for the dangerous stalemate" in US-brokered peace talks scheduled to end on April 29.
The emergency meeting was requested by Abbas after Israel backtracked on releasing a final batch of Palestinian prisoners and reissued tenders for 708 settler homes in occupied East Jerusalem.
Arab League says it will continue support for PA in negotiations
The Arab League has decided to support the Palestinian Authority in continuing negotiations until the end of April as was previously agreed upon, amid a crisis in ongoing peace talks between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization.
In a meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Cairo on Wednesday the Arab League called on US Secretary of State John Kerry to exert pressure on Israel to fulfill its commitments before the end of peace talks.
Palestinian Authority foreign minister Riyadh al-Malki said in a press conference after the meeting that the Arab leaders had also agreed to provide financial support for the PA in case Israel goes through with threats it has made in the last week to unleash sanctions on the Palestinians if they do not extend the talks deadline of April 29.
The comments come amid a near breakdown in talks, after Israel refused to release a group of Palestinian prisoners as previously agreed-upon if the Palestinians refused to extend talk beyond the deadline.
After Israel breached the agreement, the Palestinians filed letters to accede to 15 international conventions, which led Israel to announce that it would impose sanctions on the Palestinians as it considers the move an attempt to seek international recognition and potential intervention by Palestinians.
Despite this, the PA is committed to negotiations until the end of the month, al-Malki said.
"From now until the 29th we do not know what will happen. There are US efforts to extend negotiations," he said, stressing that he was unsure if Israel might potentially release the fourth batch of veteran Palestinian prisoners.
Al-Malki said that there is a financial safety net that would provide $100 million if needed, adding that if Israel stops transferring PA tax funds, then Arab ministers would provide the needed funds to pay government employees' salaries.
Al-Malki added that a meeting between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators in the presence of the US delegation will be held on Thursday in Jerusalem.
Peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians were relaunched in July under the auspices of the US after nearly three years of impasse.
Israel's government has announced the construction of thousands of settler housing units and its army has killed 60 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza since the negotiations began.
The emergency meeting was requested by Abbas after Israel backtracked on releasing a final batch of Palestinian prisoners and reissued tenders for 708 settler homes in occupied East Jerusalem.
Arab League says it will continue support for PA in negotiations
The Arab League has decided to support the Palestinian Authority in continuing negotiations until the end of April as was previously agreed upon, amid a crisis in ongoing peace talks between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization.
In a meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Cairo on Wednesday the Arab League called on US Secretary of State John Kerry to exert pressure on Israel to fulfill its commitments before the end of peace talks.
Palestinian Authority foreign minister Riyadh al-Malki said in a press conference after the meeting that the Arab leaders had also agreed to provide financial support for the PA in case Israel goes through with threats it has made in the last week to unleash sanctions on the Palestinians if they do not extend the talks deadline of April 29.
The comments come amid a near breakdown in talks, after Israel refused to release a group of Palestinian prisoners as previously agreed-upon if the Palestinians refused to extend talk beyond the deadline.
After Israel breached the agreement, the Palestinians filed letters to accede to 15 international conventions, which led Israel to announce that it would impose sanctions on the Palestinians as it considers the move an attempt to seek international recognition and potential intervention by Palestinians.
Despite this, the PA is committed to negotiations until the end of the month, al-Malki said.
"From now until the 29th we do not know what will happen. There are US efforts to extend negotiations," he said, stressing that he was unsure if Israel might potentially release the fourth batch of veteran Palestinian prisoners.
Al-Malki said that there is a financial safety net that would provide $100 million if needed, adding that if Israel stops transferring PA tax funds, then Arab ministers would provide the needed funds to pay government employees' salaries.
Al-Malki added that a meeting between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators in the presence of the US delegation will be held on Thursday in Jerusalem.
Peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians were relaunched in July under the auspices of the US after nearly three years of impasse.
Israel's government has announced the construction of thousands of settler housing units and its army has killed 60 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza since the negotiations began.
Israeli Occupation Authority (IOA) has continued its Judaization scheme to turn Mughrabi Gate leading to al-Aqsa Mosque into a bridge for military vehciels. The IOA is also planning to build a series of Jewish synagogues after demolishing large parts of the Mosque, Aqsa Foundation for Endowment and Heritage revealed in a statement on Tuesday.
Aqsa Foundation said that the bridge to be established in the Mughrabi Gate aims to enable army vehicles and equipment along with hundreds of soldiers to break into al-Aqsa Mosque at will.
The bridge came as part of an Israeli scheme to Judaize the Mughrabi hill as a whole, which is funded by the Israeli government.
Aqsa Foundation said that Israeli engineering and technical crews began Tuesday morning to erect large wooden planks in the street leading to the Mughrabi Gate.
The bridge is to be established at the expense of 1.6 acres of the Mughrabi neighborhood that was demolished in 1967.
In 2000, the IOA started preventing Palestinian worshipers' entry to al-Aqsa Mosque via Mughrabi Gate.
Aqsa Foundation described the construction of the bridge as a dangerous precedent and a prelude to the destruction of al-Aqsa Mosque, stressing the need for providing an Arab-Islamic protection for the Islamic holy sites.
Aqsa Foundation said that the bridge to be established in the Mughrabi Gate aims to enable army vehicles and equipment along with hundreds of soldiers to break into al-Aqsa Mosque at will.
The bridge came as part of an Israeli scheme to Judaize the Mughrabi hill as a whole, which is funded by the Israeli government.
Aqsa Foundation said that Israeli engineering and technical crews began Tuesday morning to erect large wooden planks in the street leading to the Mughrabi Gate.
The bridge is to be established at the expense of 1.6 acres of the Mughrabi neighborhood that was demolished in 1967.
In 2000, the IOA started preventing Palestinian worshipers' entry to al-Aqsa Mosque via Mughrabi Gate.
Aqsa Foundation described the construction of the bridge as a dangerous precedent and a prelude to the destruction of al-Aqsa Mosque, stressing the need for providing an Arab-Islamic protection for the Islamic holy sites.
Gaza government has called on the international community to intervene immediately to put an end to Palestinian detainees' plight in Israeli jails. The government expressed in a statement on Tuesday after its weekly meeting its total support for Palestinian detainees' legitimate demands especially ending solitary confinement policy and Israeli inhuman violations against them.
Regarding PA demand to join 15 UN agencies, the government called on PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to join all UN agencies and treaties to accelerate prosecution of the occupation.
On the other hand, the government condemned the Israeli continued aggression on Gaza Strip that led to several injuries and destruction of buildings and other facilities, describing it a desperate attempt to cover up the Israeli internal crisis and to keep the besieged Strip under threat.
Concerning Palestinian reconciliation file, Gaza government stressed its readiness to achieve national unity and reconciliation, welcoming the visit of a delegation sent by Mahmoud Abbas to Gaza to discuss reconciliation implementation.
The government also called on Abbas not to comply with Israeli pressures and to stop the negotiation process that only provided a cover to Israeli crimes along the past 20 years.
Shifting to another issue, the statement stressed the importance of neutralizing the Yarmouk refugee camp in the Syrian capital in order to lift the siege imposed on it for nine months, appreciating UNRWA and human rights institutions' role in distributing aid supplies to the besieged refugees.
In another context, the government strongly condemned the killing of Palestinians in the armed clashes that broke out in Mieh Mieh Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, stressing the importance of avoiding any violence in the Palestinian refugee camps.
The statement praised UNRWA's Director of Operations in the Gaza Strip Robert Turner's statements in which he called for lifting Gaza siege and pressuring Israel to allow entry of construction materials in addition to the swift opening of Rafah crossing.
The statement concluded by calling on UNRWA to bear its responsibility towards the difficult humanitarian situation in the besieged Strip.
Regarding PA demand to join 15 UN agencies, the government called on PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to join all UN agencies and treaties to accelerate prosecution of the occupation.
On the other hand, the government condemned the Israeli continued aggression on Gaza Strip that led to several injuries and destruction of buildings and other facilities, describing it a desperate attempt to cover up the Israeli internal crisis and to keep the besieged Strip under threat.
Concerning Palestinian reconciliation file, Gaza government stressed its readiness to achieve national unity and reconciliation, welcoming the visit of a delegation sent by Mahmoud Abbas to Gaza to discuss reconciliation implementation.
The government also called on Abbas not to comply with Israeli pressures and to stop the negotiation process that only provided a cover to Israeli crimes along the past 20 years.
Shifting to another issue, the statement stressed the importance of neutralizing the Yarmouk refugee camp in the Syrian capital in order to lift the siege imposed on it for nine months, appreciating UNRWA and human rights institutions' role in distributing aid supplies to the besieged refugees.
In another context, the government strongly condemned the killing of Palestinians in the armed clashes that broke out in Mieh Mieh Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, stressing the importance of avoiding any violence in the Palestinian refugee camps.
The statement praised UNRWA's Director of Operations in the Gaza Strip Robert Turner's statements in which he called for lifting Gaza siege and pressuring Israel to allow entry of construction materials in addition to the swift opening of Rafah crossing.
The statement concluded by calling on UNRWA to bear its responsibility towards the difficult humanitarian situation in the besieged Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu early Wednesday ordered government officials to stop cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, according to an Israeli newspaper.
Haaretz said on its website that Israeli ministers were told not to communicate with Palestinian officials, including minsters and director generals.
Haaretz quoted a senior Israeli official as saying that only "low-level field cooperation" would be permitted.
The move comes as an imposition of sanctions against the PA in response to the PLO's decision to apply to join 15 international conventions, the report said.
Netanyahu's actions seem to be at odds with comments made by US and Palestinian officials about Tuesday's peace talks session.
"There are still differences between the Israeli and Palestinian positions, and the Americans are making great efforts to overcome the difficulties," a Palestinian source close to the talks told AFP.
A US official confirmed the latest meeting. "Gaps remain but both sides are committed to narrowing the gaps," he said.
Palestinian officials say the decision to apply to the international conventions was in direct response to Israel's failure to release a fourth and final round of veteran prisoners as agreed.
Peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians were relaunched in July under the auspices of the US after nearly three years of impasse.
Israel's government has announced the construction of thousands of settler housing units and its army has killed 60 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza since the negotiations began.
Haaretz said on its website that Israeli ministers were told not to communicate with Palestinian officials, including minsters and director generals.
Haaretz quoted a senior Israeli official as saying that only "low-level field cooperation" would be permitted.
The move comes as an imposition of sanctions against the PA in response to the PLO's decision to apply to join 15 international conventions, the report said.
Netanyahu's actions seem to be at odds with comments made by US and Palestinian officials about Tuesday's peace talks session.
"There are still differences between the Israeli and Palestinian positions, and the Americans are making great efforts to overcome the difficulties," a Palestinian source close to the talks told AFP.
A US official confirmed the latest meeting. "Gaps remain but both sides are committed to narrowing the gaps," he said.
Palestinian officials say the decision to apply to the international conventions was in direct response to Israel's failure to release a fourth and final round of veteran prisoners as agreed.
Peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians were relaunched in July under the auspices of the US after nearly three years of impasse.
Israel's government has announced the construction of thousands of settler housing units and its army has killed 60 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza since the negotiations began.
Israeli Minister of Economy, head of the Jewish Home Party, Naftali Bennett, denounced statements by US Secretary of State, John Kerry, criticizing Israel’s settlement construction and expansion activities.
On his Facebook page, Bennett said Israel’s construction and expansion of Jewish settlements “is not a boom in construction, it’s just Zionism”, the Maan News Agency said.
Bennett added that Israel will never apologize for building and expanding Jewish settlements, and will always keep building settlements everywhere in the country.
“Some people describe the construction as a boom in settlement activities, and am telling them we will continue to build in the capital of our Jewish homeland”, he said, “Some tried to prevent us from living in our capital, but Zionism will continue to build, nobody will ever be able to stop us”.
It is worth mentioning that Kerry denounced, Tuesday, the Israeli approval of a plan to build hundreds of units for Jewish settlers in occupied East Jerusalem, and said this approval “derailed peace talks” between Israel and the Palestinians.
The United States is “mediating” trembling peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians; the nine-month direct talks will be end on April 29, but Kerry is trying to extend the talks beyond that date.
Kerry blamed both Israel and the Palestinians for the current stalemate in direct talks, and told American lawmakers that the release of veteran detainees, as a planned move of good faith, was sabotaged by Israel’s decision to build more settlements.
He told the Foreign Relations Committee that Israel’s announcement to build 700 units in Jewish settlements in occupied Jerusalem, sabotaged talks “as when this decision was made, Palestinian and Israeli negotiators were likely about to achieve a progress in direct talks”.
The American official added that the United States is trying to prevent the collapse of direct talks, and is “fighting against all odds to ensure direct talks continue until the end of this year”.
Meanwhile, U.S. State Department Spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, stated in a tweet that Kerry’s statements were clear, and that he did not engage in a blame game, but said that both Israel and the Palestinian Authority made unhelpful steps.
She added that Kerry even showed great appreciation for what she described as “courageous decisions made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu throughout peace talks.
Meanwhile, Senator John McCain said that Kerry insists that the peace process is still ongoing between Israel and the Palestinians, adding that Kerry needs to face reality and recognize the fact that the peace process has stopped.
However, Kerry said he hopes Israel and the Palestinians will find a way to resume direct talks, and that the United States will work with them to reach that goal. He also claimed direct talks managed to narrow some of the difference, but did not elaborate on the issue.
A senior Palestinian source said Israeli and Palestinian negotiators met US envoy Martin Indyk on Monday, and will be meeting him again Wednesday.
On the ground, Israel continues its invasions and violations against the Palestinians, their lands and property, and insists on what it calls “its right” to build and expand its illegitimate settlements” in occupied Palestine.
The Palestinians lost more than 78% of the historic land of Palestine when Israel was created in 1948; following its occupation to the rest of Palestine (The West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem), consecutive Israeli governments kept building and expanding Jewish settlements in the occupied territories, in direct violation of International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Israel is refusing to grant the Palestinians control on their border terminals in the occupied West Bank, and insists on keeping its control of natural resources, fertile areas especially in the Jordan Valley, and continues to illegally confiscate large areas of Palestinian lands so that it can build and expand its illegitimate settlements.
The illegitimate Annexation Wall also led to the illegal annexation of Palestinian lands, deprived Palestinian villagers access to their orchards, and farmlands, and is turning the occupied territories into isolated, and surrounded, cantons.
In a report published on April 1, 2014, the Ahrar Center for Detainees Studies and Human Rights has reported that Israeli soldiers have killed twelve Palestinians since the beginning of this year, kidnapped 364 in March, and 1059 since January first.
Kerry raps Israel in faltering Mideast peace
U.S. efforts to broker a Mideast peace agreement faltered after Israel refused to release prisoners as demanded by Palestinian leaders, then moved forward with plans to build new settlement housing in Jerusalem, America’s top diplomat said Tuesday. But he still held out hope that negotiations would continue.
Lawmakers on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, questioning Kerry during nearly three hours of testimony, weren’t as optimistic.
“It is stopped. Recognize reality!” said Republican Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
Kerry noted that both Israeli and Palestinian leaders have taken what he termed unhelpful steps as an April 29 deadline approaches for deciding whether to continue negotiations or shelve the talks for now.
But his words made clear that Israel’s actions have thrown the process deep into doubt.
As part of the agreement to begin negotiating last summer, Israel had agreed to release four groups of prisoners convicted of attacks or acts of 'terrorism' , but whom Palestinian officials consider freedom fighters. The first three groups were previously released, but Israel balked at freeing the fourth, which included some' Arab Israelis' – Palestinians from pre-1984 occupied Palestine - who could move back into Israel.
Shortly afterward, Israel moved forward with plans to build 700 new settlement units in Jerusalem, fueling Palestinian anger.
“And, poof, that was sort of the moment,” Kerry said. “We find ourselves where we are.”
“My hope is the parties will find a way back,” he said. “We’re working with them to try to do so. But they have to — again, I repeat — they have to make that fundamental decision. And I hope they will.”
The State Department has been careful to not blame either side for the latest impasse in the frustrating progress that, to date, has yielded little if any progress on key elements of a final agreement, including borders, the status of Jerusalem and whether Palestine would ever recognize Israel as a Jewish state.
But Kerry’s comments infuriated Israeli officials, and drew a swift response from Naftali Bennett, a pro-settler Cabinet minister and a main coalition partner in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
“Israel will never apologize for construction in Jerusalem,” Bennett said, calling the city Israel’s “eternal capital.”
Hours after the settlement announcement, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas abruptly renewed a campaign for recognition of the “state of Palestine” in international bodies. He had promised to suspend the campaign during the peace talks but angrily reversed course after Israel failed to carry out the prisoner release.
During the Senate hearing, Kerry did not dispute that the Palestinian statehood campaign also violated terms of the negotiations, but said: “They don’t have a state yet.”
As recently as Monday night, negotiators for both sides met with U.S. officials to try to get the process back on track. The State Department said gaps remain between the negotiators but both sides are working to reach a compromise.
“I’m not going to suggest anything is imminent, but one always has to remain hopeful in this very difficult, complicated process,” Kerry told the senators.
In an exchange with McCain, he noted that “it’s interesting that you declare it dead, but the Israelis and the Palestinians don’t declare it dead. They want to continue to negotiate.”
“We’ll see, won’t we?” McCain responded.
On his Facebook page, Bennett said Israel’s construction and expansion of Jewish settlements “is not a boom in construction, it’s just Zionism”, the Maan News Agency said.
Bennett added that Israel will never apologize for building and expanding Jewish settlements, and will always keep building settlements everywhere in the country.
“Some people describe the construction as a boom in settlement activities, and am telling them we will continue to build in the capital of our Jewish homeland”, he said, “Some tried to prevent us from living in our capital, but Zionism will continue to build, nobody will ever be able to stop us”.
It is worth mentioning that Kerry denounced, Tuesday, the Israeli approval of a plan to build hundreds of units for Jewish settlers in occupied East Jerusalem, and said this approval “derailed peace talks” between Israel and the Palestinians.
The United States is “mediating” trembling peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians; the nine-month direct talks will be end on April 29, but Kerry is trying to extend the talks beyond that date.
Kerry blamed both Israel and the Palestinians for the current stalemate in direct talks, and told American lawmakers that the release of veteran detainees, as a planned move of good faith, was sabotaged by Israel’s decision to build more settlements.
He told the Foreign Relations Committee that Israel’s announcement to build 700 units in Jewish settlements in occupied Jerusalem, sabotaged talks “as when this decision was made, Palestinian and Israeli negotiators were likely about to achieve a progress in direct talks”.
The American official added that the United States is trying to prevent the collapse of direct talks, and is “fighting against all odds to ensure direct talks continue until the end of this year”.
Meanwhile, U.S. State Department Spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, stated in a tweet that Kerry’s statements were clear, and that he did not engage in a blame game, but said that both Israel and the Palestinian Authority made unhelpful steps.
She added that Kerry even showed great appreciation for what she described as “courageous decisions made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu throughout peace talks.
Meanwhile, Senator John McCain said that Kerry insists that the peace process is still ongoing between Israel and the Palestinians, adding that Kerry needs to face reality and recognize the fact that the peace process has stopped.
However, Kerry said he hopes Israel and the Palestinians will find a way to resume direct talks, and that the United States will work with them to reach that goal. He also claimed direct talks managed to narrow some of the difference, but did not elaborate on the issue.
A senior Palestinian source said Israeli and Palestinian negotiators met US envoy Martin Indyk on Monday, and will be meeting him again Wednesday.
On the ground, Israel continues its invasions and violations against the Palestinians, their lands and property, and insists on what it calls “its right” to build and expand its illegitimate settlements” in occupied Palestine.
The Palestinians lost more than 78% of the historic land of Palestine when Israel was created in 1948; following its occupation to the rest of Palestine (The West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem), consecutive Israeli governments kept building and expanding Jewish settlements in the occupied territories, in direct violation of International Law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Israel is refusing to grant the Palestinians control on their border terminals in the occupied West Bank, and insists on keeping its control of natural resources, fertile areas especially in the Jordan Valley, and continues to illegally confiscate large areas of Palestinian lands so that it can build and expand its illegitimate settlements.
The illegitimate Annexation Wall also led to the illegal annexation of Palestinian lands, deprived Palestinian villagers access to their orchards, and farmlands, and is turning the occupied territories into isolated, and surrounded, cantons.
In a report published on April 1, 2014, the Ahrar Center for Detainees Studies and Human Rights has reported that Israeli soldiers have killed twelve Palestinians since the beginning of this year, kidnapped 364 in March, and 1059 since January first.
Kerry raps Israel in faltering Mideast peace
U.S. efforts to broker a Mideast peace agreement faltered after Israel refused to release prisoners as demanded by Palestinian leaders, then moved forward with plans to build new settlement housing in Jerusalem, America’s top diplomat said Tuesday. But he still held out hope that negotiations would continue.
Lawmakers on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, questioning Kerry during nearly three hours of testimony, weren’t as optimistic.
“It is stopped. Recognize reality!” said Republican Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
Kerry noted that both Israeli and Palestinian leaders have taken what he termed unhelpful steps as an April 29 deadline approaches for deciding whether to continue negotiations or shelve the talks for now.
But his words made clear that Israel’s actions have thrown the process deep into doubt.
As part of the agreement to begin negotiating last summer, Israel had agreed to release four groups of prisoners convicted of attacks or acts of 'terrorism' , but whom Palestinian officials consider freedom fighters. The first three groups were previously released, but Israel balked at freeing the fourth, which included some' Arab Israelis' – Palestinians from pre-1984 occupied Palestine - who could move back into Israel.
Shortly afterward, Israel moved forward with plans to build 700 new settlement units in Jerusalem, fueling Palestinian anger.
“And, poof, that was sort of the moment,” Kerry said. “We find ourselves where we are.”
“My hope is the parties will find a way back,” he said. “We’re working with them to try to do so. But they have to — again, I repeat — they have to make that fundamental decision. And I hope they will.”
The State Department has been careful to not blame either side for the latest impasse in the frustrating progress that, to date, has yielded little if any progress on key elements of a final agreement, including borders, the status of Jerusalem and whether Palestine would ever recognize Israel as a Jewish state.
But Kerry’s comments infuriated Israeli officials, and drew a swift response from Naftali Bennett, a pro-settler Cabinet minister and a main coalition partner in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
“Israel will never apologize for construction in Jerusalem,” Bennett said, calling the city Israel’s “eternal capital.”
Hours after the settlement announcement, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas abruptly renewed a campaign for recognition of the “state of Palestine” in international bodies. He had promised to suspend the campaign during the peace talks but angrily reversed course after Israel failed to carry out the prisoner release.
During the Senate hearing, Kerry did not dispute that the Palestinian statehood campaign also violated terms of the negotiations, but said: “They don’t have a state yet.”
As recently as Monday night, negotiators for both sides met with U.S. officials to try to get the process back on track. The State Department said gaps remain between the negotiators but both sides are working to reach a compromise.
“I’m not going to suggest anything is imminent, but one always has to remain hopeful in this very difficult, complicated process,” Kerry told the senators.
In an exchange with McCain, he noted that “it’s interesting that you declare it dead, but the Israelis and the Palestinians don’t declare it dead. They want to continue to negotiate.”
“We’ll see, won’t we?” McCain responded.
President Truman receives Israeli Prime Minister Ben Gurion and Israeli Ambassador to the US, Abba Eben
Just minutes after the British Mandate of Palestine terminated on May 14, 1948, the press release announcing the U.S. recognition of Israel was presented to U.S. President Harry Truman for his signature.
But the president did more than sign his name, and minor but significant amendments to the wording of the document are clearly visible in his handwriting.
Most notably, the then-president crossed out the word 'Jewish' in the term 'the new Jewish state of Israel'.
Just minutes after the British Mandate of Palestine terminated on May 14, 1948, the press release announcing the U.S. recognition of Israel was presented to U.S. President Harry Truman for his signature.
But the president did more than sign his name, and minor but significant amendments to the wording of the document are clearly visible in his handwriting.
Most notably, the then-president crossed out the word 'Jewish' in the term 'the new Jewish state of Israel'.
Presented (R) is the press release signed by Truman, complete with his corrections.
The text reads:
"This Government has been informed that a Jewish state has been proclaimed in Palestine, and recognition has been requested by the provisional Government thereof.
The United States recognizes the provisional government as the de facto authority of the new (Jewish state) State of Israel."
That Truman left intact the wording in the first paragraph calling for Washington to recognise 'a Jewish state' in Palestine, shows what was being demanded of the U.S. by the Jewish Agency - a demand which was clearly rejected by the president.
The question now, then, is why Obama, and other U.S. presidents in recent history, have insisted on the recognition of Israel as a Jewish state as a precondition for any kind of peace agreement?
The text reads:
"This Government has been informed that a Jewish state has been proclaimed in Palestine, and recognition has been requested by the provisional Government thereof.
The United States recognizes the provisional government as the de facto authority of the new (Jewish state) State of Israel."
That Truman left intact the wording in the first paragraph calling for Washington to recognise 'a Jewish state' in Palestine, shows what was being demanded of the U.S. by the Jewish Agency - a demand which was clearly rejected by the president.
The question now, then, is why Obama, and other U.S. presidents in recent history, have insisted on the recognition of Israel as a Jewish state as a precondition for any kind of peace agreement?
Israel's announcement of new construction in the East Jerusalem settlement of Gilo (as seen from West Bank town of Beit Jalla) has endangered negotiations
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators ended another U.S.-mediated session on Tuesday with no sign of a breakthrough in the efforts to save the peace talks from collapse. Nevertheless, the parties have agreed to meet again, according to one Israeli official.
Jen Psaki, a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department said in a statement that “both sides are committed to narrow the gaps."
Also on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry blamed Israel for dissolving a deal that would have extended negotiations with the Palestinians by nine months. During a meeting of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Kerry said that Israel’s announcement of tenders for 700 homes in Gilo, a settlement in the southern East Jerusalem, led to ending the deal.
Kerry walked committee members through the steps that had led to last week’s crisis in the talks, beginning with Israel's decision to cancel the accorded release of 26 Palestinian prisoners should the negotiations not continue beyond the April 29 end-date.
According to Kerry both sides worked to overcome the crisis, but when they were potentially close to a resolution "700 settlement units were announced in Jerusalem and, poof, that was sort of the moment [negotiations collapsed]."
Later, U.S. State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said that Kerry believes that both Israel and the Palestinians were culpable.
"As has been the case throughout this impasse, today Secretary Kerry was again crystal clear that both sides have taken unhelpful steps and at no point has he engaged in a blame game," Psaki said.
Responding to Kerry, the Israeli Minister of Economy Naftali Bennett said "For years there was an attempt to block construction in Jerusalem by blasts and explosions, but it didn't happen. Construction in Jerusalem is not a 'poof', it is Zionism and we will never apologize for it."
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators ended another U.S.-mediated session on Tuesday with no sign of a breakthrough in the efforts to save the peace talks from collapse. Nevertheless, the parties have agreed to meet again, according to one Israeli official.
Jen Psaki, a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department said in a statement that “both sides are committed to narrow the gaps."
Also on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry blamed Israel for dissolving a deal that would have extended negotiations with the Palestinians by nine months. During a meeting of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Kerry said that Israel’s announcement of tenders for 700 homes in Gilo, a settlement in the southern East Jerusalem, led to ending the deal.
Kerry walked committee members through the steps that had led to last week’s crisis in the talks, beginning with Israel's decision to cancel the accorded release of 26 Palestinian prisoners should the negotiations not continue beyond the April 29 end-date.
According to Kerry both sides worked to overcome the crisis, but when they were potentially close to a resolution "700 settlement units were announced in Jerusalem and, poof, that was sort of the moment [negotiations collapsed]."
Later, U.S. State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said that Kerry believes that both Israel and the Palestinians were culpable.
"As has been the case throughout this impasse, today Secretary Kerry was again crystal clear that both sides have taken unhelpful steps and at no point has he engaged in a blame game," Psaki said.
Responding to Kerry, the Israeli Minister of Economy Naftali Bennett said "For years there was an attempt to block construction in Jerusalem by blasts and explosions, but it didn't happen. Construction in Jerusalem is not a 'poof', it is Zionism and we will never apologize for it."