Blog 7: Peace Talks between Palestinian and Israel Threatened

Summary:
Peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel have been threatened as Israel has refused to release the last batch of Palestinian prisoners on Friday. Israel had agreed to release 104 prisoners in total, 78 of which had already been returned to Palestine, in exchange for the Palestinian Authority's agreement to hold off on trying to obtain statehood through the United Nations. It appears that Israel is holding back the prisoners (those convicted of the worst crimes) due to discontent with Palestine's performance at the peace talks. The Palestinians have been accused of "dragging their feet," refusing to extend the negotiations beyond April 29th, and refusing to agree with Israel about various side issues like recognition of the Jewish state. Meanwhile, the Palestinian leaders are under pressure to end negotiations with Israel and continue to pursue recognition of statehood within the U.N., where they are making progress. Israel and the U.S. are opposed to this route because they fear that Palestine might bring "international legal and human rights cases against Israel." Although both sides have agreed to resume talks in the summer, tensions are high, and the prisoner debate only adds fuel to the fire.
Analysis:
At this point it is hard to "blame" either side for the stalled proceedings. It appears that both groups have their grievances with the other. However, Palestine's attempts to go around Israel and the U.S. probably will not help their case in the long run. I mentioned in my last post about Palestinian and Israeli relations that violence is not the answer to lasting peace, and neither is turning down peace offerings with your most powerful neighbors. John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, is urging the Palestinian Authority against going through the U.N. for this very reason. Fortunately, peace talks are supposed to keep going, but for them to be successful, both sides must remember that peace, not a laundry list of demands, is the ultimate goal.
Source:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/palestinians-threaten-walkout-in-talks/2014/03/28/4f3cfa44-b68f-11e3-9eb3-c254bdb4414d_story.html