More Questions Than Answers in Middle East Talks

21 May 2010

A handout picture released by the US Embassy in Israel shows US Middle East envoy George Mitchell (L) listening to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting in Jerusalem, 20 May 2010

A second round of indirect talks has ended in Middle East. They are part of a four-month effort by the United States to jumpstart peace negotiations that ended eighteen months ago. Israeli and Palestinian analysts have different views on what can be achieved in the coming weeks.

Few details have emerged out of so-called proximity talks held this week between U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell and the Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Israel says it will not discuss the issue of settlements or Jerusalem outside of face-to-face talks. But the Palestinians don't want to participate in direct talks until Israel stops the expansion of Jewish settlements in disputed territories.

PLOMaen Rashid Areikat

"We are not saying that we will not speak directly to the Israelis," said Palestinian Liberation Organization envoy to Washington, Maen Rashid Areikat. "We are saying that we cannot conduct negotiations with the Israelis about the future of the occupied territories, a viable Palestinian state on 22 percent of what used to be historic Palestine."

"We cannot negotiate with the Israelis when they are continuing to build settlements and confiscate land and take measures that are undermining the basic, fundamental cornerstone of achieving peace in the Middle East," he added.