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Palestinians mull Kerry plan to restart Israel talks Palestinians mull Kerry plan to restart Israel talks
(about 5 hours later)
Palestinian leaders have been meeting in Ramallah in the West Bank to discuss a possible revival in peace talks with Israel, brokered by the United States.Palestinian leaders have been meeting in Ramallah in the West Bank to discuss a possible revival in peace talks with Israel, brokered by the United States.
They have been briefed on the latest American proposal by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.They have been briefed on the latest American proposal by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The talks involving the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) have now been temporarily adjourned.The talks involving the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) have now been temporarily adjourned.
Earlier the US Secretary of State John Kerry extended his visit to the Middle East amid signs of progress. Having extended his visit to the region by a night, US Secretary of State John Kerry will return to the US on Friday.
He agreed to stay in the Jordanian capital, Amman, for an extra night. Earlier Mr Kerry had agreed to stay in the Jordanian capital, Amman for an extra night amid signs of progress.
The US State Department then acknowledged that Kerry was unlikely to be able to announce a breakthrough on his latest visit. A State Department official said that Mr Kerry will consult Israeli and Palestinian leaders before leaving, adding that the debate over reviving peace talks was "appropriate and encouraging".
However, the State Department had earlier acknowledged that Kerry was unlikely to be able to announce a breakthrough on his latest visit.
"There are currently no plans for an announcement on the resumption of negotiations," said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki."There are currently no plans for an announcement on the resumption of negotiations," said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
Mr Kerry has not given details of his plan to revive direct peace talks, which stalled nearly three years ago. However, he has met Mr Abbas in Jordan twice in the past two days.Mr Kerry has not given details of his plan to revive direct peace talks, which stalled nearly three years ago. However, he has met Mr Abbas in Jordan twice in the past two days.
After a meeting in Amman, the Arab League supported the latest US proposals saying they "provide the ground and a suitable environment to start negotiations".After a meeting in Amman, the Arab League supported the latest US proposals saying they "provide the ground and a suitable environment to start negotiations".
This raised speculation that President Abbas's Fatah faction and senior members of the broader Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) would concur at meetings in Ramallah.This raised speculation that President Abbas's Fatah faction and senior members of the broader Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) would concur at meetings in Ramallah.
However, several members of Fatah central committee have already asked for changes to the US plan.However, several members of Fatah central committee have already asked for changes to the US plan.
It is understood that the PLO committee will resume its meeting later on Thursday after the iftar meal that ends Muslims' dusk-to-dawn fast during the holy month of Ramadan.It is understood that the PLO committee will resume its meeting later on Thursday after the iftar meal that ends Muslims' dusk-to-dawn fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
Previously the Palestinians have demanded a freeze on Israeli settlement construction in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem before a return to peace talks. They have also asked for negotiations about borders to be based on pre-1967 ceasefire lines.Previously the Palestinians have demanded a freeze on Israeli settlement construction in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem before a return to peace talks. They have also asked for negotiations about borders to be based on pre-1967 ceasefire lines.
Israel's coalition government, which includes pro-settler parties, has said there should be no preconditions.Israel's coalition government, which includes pro-settler parties, has said there should be no preconditions.
It is widely reported in the Israeli media that Mr Kerry has presented a plan that includes the resumption of talks on pre-1967 lines with land swaps that take into account the major settlement blocs in the West Bank.It is widely reported in the Israeli media that Mr Kerry has presented a plan that includes the resumption of talks on pre-1967 lines with land swaps that take into account the major settlement blocs in the West Bank.
The reports suggest that, in return, Palestinians would recognise Israel as a Jewish state.The reports suggest that, in return, Palestinians would recognise Israel as a Jewish state.
The Israeli prime minister's office has declined to comment.The Israeli prime minister's office has declined to comment.
On his Facebook page, Naftali Bennett, who leads the third biggest party in the Israeli governing coalition, rejected any such terms.On his Facebook page, Naftali Bennett, who leads the third biggest party in the Israeli governing coalition, rejected any such terms.
"The Jewish Home party under my leadership will not be a partner, not even for one second, in a government that agrees to negotiation based on 1967 lines," he said."The Jewish Home party under my leadership will not be a partner, not even for one second, in a government that agrees to negotiation based on 1967 lines," he said.
"Jerusalem, our capital, is not and will never be subject to negotiations.""Jerusalem, our capital, is not and will never be subject to negotiations."
Such a deal would also be extremely difficult for Palestinians to accept as it has serious implications for Palestinian refugees and the Israeli-Arab population.Such a deal would also be extremely difficult for Palestinians to accept as it has serious implications for Palestinian refugees and the Israeli-Arab population.
The rights of Palestinian refugees, borders, settlements and the status of Jerusalem are all core issues in any final status peace agreement.The rights of Palestinian refugees, borders, settlements and the status of Jerusalem are all core issues in any final status peace agreement.
In recent months, John Kerry has paid six visits to the Middle East in an effort to restart talks between Israel and the Palestinians.In recent months, John Kerry has paid six visits to the Middle East in an effort to restart talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
He has said that time is running out for a two-state solution to their decades-old conflict.He has said that time is running out for a two-state solution to their decades-old conflict.