Secretary of State John Kerry’s efforts to kickstart a new round of talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority seem to be dead before they started, as suggestions of a “land-for-talks” deal were immediately shot down by Israeli officials as unacceptable.
Kerry had sought a deal that would give the PA more de facto control over Palestinian territory in the near-term in return for them agreeing to return to talks. PA officials say that the issue of prisoner mistreatment is the most pressing concern for them, and remains at the top of their own list.
Israeli officials say that the gap between their government’s position on Palestinian statehood and the PA’s position is so wide that there is no point in making even minor concessions to return to talks, adding that any concessions would “harm Israel.”
Israeli officials have demanded an unconditional return to talks with no preconditions attached. PA officials have said they need at a minimum a freeze on settlement expansion, since they can’t negotiate final borders with the territory available for them constantly shrinking during the talks as more is appropriated to the settlement enterprise.
Why the US is still seen as a valid negotiator is beyond me.
Because people all over the world are hoping that the US one day will regain its sanity and stop being Isreals LAPDOG.
The corporate rich who rule Empire USA, did they not create Israel to maximize profit in trading war materials for Middle-East oil? Surely you are the "LAPDOG."
Look people: part of Obama doctrine.., with help from Hillary Clinton in foreign policy is about long lasting turmoil in Middle East.., as long as the Saudis barbarians, the Europeans and others are able to send terrorism to Syria terrorizing the country is a good news for WH and DC, as long as the unity between Iran, Syria, Iraq, Russia, China depends on the Syrian war outcome is a good news for WH and DC, as long as there is no unity among Arabs in regard to Israel apartheid regime disrespecting the rights of Palestinians is a good news for WH in DC, as long as Arab leagues consists of bunch of hypocrites not wanting to become dependent is a good news for WH and DC.., USA never had a proposal to demand for the right of Palestinians, boycotting any other proposal has been the only proposal by USA.., so Kerry can keep on carrying that briefcase of his with falsified proposal documented for last 60 years of history for peace in Middle East.., you want peace.., USA needs t cut all its economical relation with Israel.., you want peace.., EU needs to cut all its economical relation with Israel demanding.., not talking.., for Israel to get back and respect the 1967 UN proposal.
This is a waste of time the Israeli apartheid government is going to take the land by force with the help of the US tax payers.
If a Muslim gov't defied Uncle Sam the way the israelis do we'd be bombing already.