Israel and Palestinians Negotiate West Bank Pullback

Strategic Insights -

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leaders continued negotiations deep into the night Wednesday, attempting to reach a deal on a West Bank pullback ahead of US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's arrival Thursday. Albright was scheduled to witness a signing ceremony in Egypt, but the outcome remained uncertain due to the sensitive issue of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Key Takeaways:

  • The negotiations have narrowed down to the release of Palestinian prisoners, with Israel offering to release 350 prisoners who had not murdered Israelis, while the Palestinians insisted on the release of 400 prisoners.
  • The gap between the two sides is described as "very, very narrow" by Israeli Cabinet Member Haim Ramon, with an agreement on most issues except the prisoner issue.
  • The negotiations revolve around the implementation of the Wye Plantation agreement, which was signed in October 1998, under which Israel agreed to withdraw from an additional 13% of the West Bank.
  • Israeli officials have floated the idea of a deal under which Israel would recognize a Palestinian state by next year, while postponing issues related to Jerusalem and Palestinian refugees to a future date.
  • Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is reportedly seeking to achieve Palestinian statehood in his lifetime, which would be facilitated by a deal recognizing statehood within a year.
  • Arafat has given himself and the Israelis one year to reach a final status agreement, with the new deadline being September 2000.
  • The Israeli redeployment of forces from the West Bank would begin by the end of the month and be completed by January 20, 2000.
  • The Palestinians are also expecting Israel to open safe passage roads between the West Bank and Gaza Strip and allow the Palestinians to open a deep water port in Gaza.

Statistics:

  • 350: the number of Palestinian prisoners that Israel offered to release.
  • 13%: the percentage of the West Bank that was agreed to be relinquished by Israel under the Wye Plantation agreement.
  • 15%: the new percentage of the West Bank that Israel has offered to relinquish.
  • 13%: the percentage of the West Bank that Israel withdrew from before halting its withdrawals.
  • 2%: the percentage of the West Bank that Israel withdrew from during Netanyahu's tenure.
  • January 20, 2000: the deadline for the completion of the Israeli redeployment of forces from the West Bank.

Sources:

  • "Israeli Negotiators Work to Break Logjam", Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
  • "Palestinian, Israeli leaders try to find peace path forward", Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
  • "Peace process negotiators are optimistic", Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.