A Palestinian source told Reshet Bet that a breakthrough is not expected as a result of U.S. Secretary John Kerry’s efforts, because, after two meetings between Kerry and Palestinian leaders, and several meetings between Kerry and Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israel has not veered from its position regarding the recognition of 67 lines as a basis for negotiation, and the settlement freeze.
The source believes that there will not be a 4-way summit this week with Israel, the Palestinians, the United States and Jordan, and also no lower level round of meetings between Sa’aib Erekat and Minister Tzipi Livni.
Earlier, an Israeli source suggested Netanyahu would agree to the Palestinians’ preconditions, but only if he would be able to deliver them gradually, and not all at once.
Netanyahu met with Kerry Saturday afternoon, when the latter came back from Amman, Jordan, where he had met for about two hours with the chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas). No details were given about the content of their conversation.
An Israeli official who is involved in the attempts to resume negotiations with the Palestinians, told Reuters that Secretary Kerry’s trip may lead to an announcement of a meeting between the two parties under the auspices of the United States and Jordan.
On Friday night, following his meeting with Netanyahu, Kerry joined President Shimon Peres for a Shabbat meal.
Kerry, who delayed his departure to a conference of Asian foreign ministers in Brunei, will be there in time for the opening on Monday.