Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks Stall, but Agreement Still Hoped For

Strategic Insights -

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators suspended talks Tuesday, but both sides remain optimistic that a deal can be reached by the end of the day. The negotiating parties are trying to forge an agreement before U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright arrives later in the day. Albright is scheduled to join Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Alexandria for a signing ceremony, but a deadlock in the talks could undermine this plan.

Key Takeaways:

  • The negotiations are focused on the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons, with the two sides reportedly at odds over the fate of around 50 prisoners.
  • The Israelis have agreed to release about 350 prisoners, while the Palestinians are demanding that at least 400 be freed.
  • The release of prisoners is a critical issue for the Palestinians, as they see them as prisoners of war who should be released during peacetime.
  • The land-for-security deal being discussed would resolve issues related to the Wye River accord, which was signed nearly a year ago but put on hold in January.
  • The deal would free up Albright to focus on the larger issues remaining between Israel and the Palestinians, including a land-for-security deal that would resolve issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
  • Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak is hesitant to give up land without knowing exactly how the peace process will play out, while Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat wants to get more land as soon as possible.

Statistics:

  • Around 50 Palestinian prisoners are at the center of the negotiations.
  • Israelis have agreed to release about 350 prisoners, while Palestinians are demanding at least 400 be freed.
  • The Palestinians would control around 40% of the West Bank under the current Wye terms, with the deal under negotiation aiming to slow down land transfers.
  • A deal between Israel and the Palestinians could bring pressure on Syria to resume its own long-stalled talks with Israel, with Barak saying he will pursue peace along whatever track appears to have the most potential.

Sources:

  • "Israeli and Palestinian negotiators suspend talks" by Larry Kaplow
  • Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
  • Reuters: Middle East News
  • Haaretz: Israeli News
  • The New York Times: World News