By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
JERUSALEM, Israel – Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have confirmed that late Wednesday night the two sides resumed peace talks during a secret meeting in Jerusalem. The peace talks are the first between the two sides in three years.
The general purpose of the talks is to negotiate a final end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The main solution that the parties have focused on is a two-state agreement that allows for the existence of Palestine and Israel side-by-side.
An anonymous Israel official described the talks as “long and serious,” but did not describe the substance of the talks. The specifics of the talks are expected to be kept private because both parties believe that it increases their chance of success.
The Palestinian side is represented by Saeb Erekat and Fatah official Muhammed Shtayyeh. Israeli is represented by Minister of Justice Tzipi Livni and prime ministerial aide Isaac Molcho.
Tzipi Livn posted on Facebook regarding the peace talks:
“Today, I will continue the important mission I began – to achieve a peace agreement that will keep the country Jewish and democratic and provide security … for Israel and its citizens.”
Leading up to the peace talks both parties have made gestures of good faith. Earlier on Wednesday, Israel freed twenty-six Palestinians, many of whom had been imprisoned for deadly attacks on Israelis. Additionally, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas dropped demands for an Israeli settlement freeze before talks resumed.
Although the news of peace talks generally breeds optimism, members of both side seemed to cast doubt over any chances of success.
“Israel will resort to feints and evasion and put up impossible demands in order to say that these negotiations are fruitless and to continue its policy of stealing land as it has done until this moment,” said Yasser Abed Rabbo. “The talks might collapse any time because of the Israeli practices.”
Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said, “We’ve been trying for 20 years since Oslo, and for over 120 years of the conflict. The scepticism in the tone of my remarks is apparent, but we’ve decided to give it a chance.”
“Both for the Palestinians and for us, the hourglass is running out. We will not have many more opportunities to resolve this dispute,” said Israeli cabinet minister Yaakov Peri.
For further information, please see:
Al Jazeera – Israel-Palestinian peace talks resume – 15 August 2013
BBC – Israel-Palestinian peace talks resume in Jerusalem – 15 August 2013
Jerusalem Post – Abbas: First round of peace talks dealt with final-status issues – 15 August 2013
Reuters – Analysis: Abbas chooses unpopular peace talks over bruising U.N. battles – 15 August 2013
