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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Israel cancels Palestinian prisoner release | Israel cancels Palestinian prisoner release |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Israel has cancelled the release of a fourth group of Palestinian prisoners over the Palestinian leadership's pursuit of further UN recognition. | Israel has cancelled the release of a fourth group of Palestinian prisoners over the Palestinian leadership's pursuit of further UN recognition. |
| Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni said Palestinian actions had violated the terms of the release, which was part of a US-backed peace process. | |
| Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has applied to 15 UN conventions, accusing Israel of backtracking on its promises. | Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has applied to 15 UN conventions, accusing Israel of backtracking on its promises. |
| Washington said Israel's latest move "creates challenges". | Washington said Israel's latest move "creates challenges". |
| But White House spokesman Jay Carney said it would not deter US Secretary of State John Kerry from keeping talks between both sides going. | But White House spokesman Jay Carney said it would not deter US Secretary of State John Kerry from keeping talks between both sides going. |
| "There has been progress in narrowing some of the questions that have arisen as a result of the events of the last few days," he said. | "There has been progress in narrowing some of the questions that have arisen as a result of the events of the last few days," he said. |
| "Neither side has indicated that they want to walk away from the talks. They both indicated they want to find a way to move forward." | "Neither side has indicated that they want to walk away from the talks. They both indicated they want to find a way to move forward." |
| 'Critical moment' | 'Critical moment' |
| An Israeli spokesperson told the BBC the decision to cancel the release had been communicated to the Palestinians in an overnight meeting. | An Israeli spokesperson told the BBC the decision to cancel the release had been communicated to the Palestinians in an overnight meeting. |
| Tzipi Livni was quoted as saying "new conditions were established and Israel cannot release the fourth batch of prisoners". | Tzipi Livni was quoted as saying "new conditions were established and Israel cannot release the fourth batch of prisoners". |
| She urged the Palestinians to avoid unilateral measures and return to the negotiating table, her spokesperson said. | She urged the Palestinians to avoid unilateral measures and return to the negotiating table, her spokesperson said. |
| Israel refused to release the prisoners until the Palestinians agreed to continue with the peace talks beyond the end of April deadline. | Israel refused to release the prisoners until the Palestinians agreed to continue with the peace talks beyond the end of April deadline. |
| The previous three releases of Palestinian prisoners were deeply unpopular with the Israeli public because many of those freed had been convicted of murdering Israelis. | The previous three releases of Palestinian prisoners were deeply unpopular with the Israeli public because many of those freed had been convicted of murdering Israelis. |
| But the Palestinians - many of whom regard the prisoners as heroes - believed the final batch of prisoners would be freed under a US deal that got the talks started last year. | But the Palestinians - many of whom regard the prisoners as heroes - believed the final batch of prisoners would be freed under a US deal that got the talks started last year. |
| To signify their frustration, they abandoned their undertaking to refrain from applying for membership of various international organisations. | To signify their frustration, they abandoned their undertaking to refrain from applying for membership of various international organisations. |
| Each side blames the other for initiating that sequence of backward steps, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Jerusalem. | Each side blames the other for initiating that sequence of backward steps, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Jerusalem. |
| In theory the steps could be reversed and a limited agreement reached to extend talks beyond the current 29 April deadline but the prospects are not improving, he adds. | In theory the steps could be reversed and a limited agreement reached to extend talks beyond the current 29 April deadline but the prospects are not improving, he adds. |
| Earlier, John Kerry said it was a "critical moment" for the leadership of both sides. | Earlier, John Kerry said it was a "critical moment" for the leadership of both sides. |
| "You can push, you can nudge, but the parties themselves have to make fundamental decisions and compromises," he said. | "You can push, you can nudge, but the parties themselves have to make fundamental decisions and compromises," he said. |
| "The leaders have to lead and they have to be able to see a moment when it's there." | "The leaders have to lead and they have to be able to see a moment when it's there." |