Kerry wins Arab backing on his ‘Middle East peace effort’

US secretary of state John Kerry on Wednesday won Arab League backing for his effort to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, raising hopes for a quick resumption in the stalled negotiations. 

Kerry, on his sixth trip to the Middle East in as many months as America’s top diplomat, met representatives of the Arab League and nine of its members that support a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace plan proposed by Saudi Arabia. 

At a news conference, Kerry said that the Israelis and Palestinians were narrowing gaps that have prevented them from restarting talks. Kerry refused to discuss details of the proposals he laid out to the Arab officials or how the gap with the Israelis had narrowed. 

‘We continue to get closer and I continue to be hopeful that the sides will be able to come together at the same table,’ Kerry said. He spoke at a news conference with Jordanian foreign minister Nasser Judeh. 

In a statement after the meeting with Kerry, Arab delegates said they supported Kerry’s initiative. 

‘The Arab delegates believe Kerry’s ideas proposed to the committee today constitute a good ground and suitable environment for restarting the negotiations, especially the new and important political, economic and security elements,’ the statement said. 

A more muted response came from Palestinian negotiator Mohammed Ishtayeh, who said Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will be holding a meeting of the PLO leadership to discuss Kerry’s ideas. 

‘We are keen to see Kerry’s efforts work, but so far there are no promising signs from the Israeli side,’ Ishtayeh said. 

In addition to the peace process, Kerry was updating the Arabs on US support for the Syrian opposition and attempts to convene an international conference to establish a transition government there, as well as Washington’s position on Egypt’s political turmoil. 

The gathering came a day after Kerry had a five-hour dinner meeting in Amman with Abbas. 

Officials said Kerry and Abbas discussed the way forward and projects aimed at bolstering the Palestinian economy. No further details were available, and Kerry and Abbas met again on Wednesday.

 

It remained unclear whether Kerry would meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or any of his top aides on his trip. Israel is not currently on Kerry’s itinerary, although officials said that could change. 

Abbas has refused to negotiate unless Israel halts all construction in West Bank settlements. Israel has refused, saying negotiations should resume without conditions. Kerry has offered the Palestinians a package of economic incentives to restart the talks.

 

Kerry has spent hours with Abbas and Netanyahu trying to set the stage for a return to peace talks that foundered and collapsed in 2008. 

Kerry insists progress has been made but there have been few, if any, discernible signs that the two sides are getting closer to agreeing to discuss the major issues that divide them. 

Kerry said Tuesday after talks with Judeh that he wanted to see a Syrian refugee camp, and it appeared likely that if such a visit is arranged, it would happen Thursday before he is scheduled to return to the United States. Judeh said Kerry had expressed concern about the economic impact the humanitarian crisis in Syria has had in Jordan, which hosts more than a half million displaced 

Syrians. agencies