After weekend of "very intensive" talks with
Israeli and Palestinian leaders, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry
says, "We're not there yet, but we're making progress" • Sen. John
McCain: Netanyahu has "serious concerns" about parts of Kerry's
proposals.
U.S. Secretary of State John
Kerry boards his plane to fly from Israel to Jordan on Sunday
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Photo credit: AP |
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry continued
his efforts over the weekend to achieve a "framework agreement" between
Israel and the Palestinians. While such an agreement has yet to be
reached, Kerry remains optimistic.
"We're not there yet, but we are making
progress," Kerry said in Ramallah on Saturday ahead of a meeting with
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. "We are beginning to
flesh out the toughest hurdles yet to be overcome."
Kerry met with Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu in Jerusalem twice over the weekend. On Friday, Kerry also met
with Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon and Foreign Minister Avigdor
Lieberman.
On Sunday morning, Kerry departed Israel for
Jordan and Saudi Arabia, where he was to brief leaders on the
Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations. Kerry was expected to return to
Israel on Sunday night for further meetings.
"This has been a productive couple of days,"
Kerry told reporters on Sunday before his plane took off from Israel.
"We have had very positive -- but I have to say very serious, very
intensive -- conversations."
Kerry said all the major issues in the
conflict -- borders, security, the fate of Palestinian refugees and the
status of Jerusalem -- were being discussed.
"The path is becoming clearer," Kerry said.
"The puzzle is becoming more defined. And it is becoming much more
apparent to everybody what the remaining tough choices are. But I cannot
tell you when, particularly, the last pieces may decide to fall into
place or may fall on the floor and leave the puzzle unfinished."
In a joint press conference with chief
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat on Saturday in Ramallah, Kerry said,
"I am confident that the talks we’ve had in the last two days have
already fleshed out and even resolved certain kinds of issues and
presented new opportunities for others. That’s the name of this game.
It’s a tough process, step by step, day by day."
Netanyahu met this weekend in Jerusalem with visiting American senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham and John Barrasso. The senators also met with President Shimon Peres.
Netanyahu met this weekend in Jerusalem with visiting American senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham and John Barrasso. The senators also met with President Shimon Peres.
McCain said Netanyahu had "serious concerns"
about parts of Kerry's proposals on the peace negotiations. McCain said
he shared Netanyahu's concerns about whether some aspects of Kerry's
proposals were enforceable and viable options that would not jeopardize
Israel's security.
Meanwhile, Palestinian officials are not
particularly optimistic about peace negotiations. Palestinian officials
told Israel Hayom that "Abbas is inclined toward not accepting the
framework agreement presented by Kerry."
Erekat said the gaps between the Palestinians
and Israel were "only widening" and he repeated the claim that "Israel
plans to assassinate Abbas."
An anonymous Palestinian official said Kerry asked Abbas over the weekend to recognize Israel as the Jewish homeland, The Associated Press reported. The official said Abbas opposes the idea out of concerns it would hurt the right of return of Palestinian refugees to what is now Israel, but that talks are continuing.
At a cultural event on Saturday, Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz said that, at the next cabinet meeting, he would "present new and disturbing findings regarding the level of [Palestinian] incitement. Abbas wants a state, but without mutual recognition."
An anonymous Palestinian official said Kerry asked Abbas over the weekend to recognize Israel as the Jewish homeland, The Associated Press reported. The official said Abbas opposes the idea out of concerns it would hurt the right of return of Palestinian refugees to what is now Israel, but that talks are continuing.
At a cultural event on Saturday, Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz said that, at the next cabinet meeting, he would "present new and disturbing findings regarding the level of [Palestinian] incitement. Abbas wants a state, but without mutual recognition."
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