Peace Negotiations

Abbas: Israel Trying to Get Out of Releasing Terrorists

PA Chairman launches a tirade against Israel, says it is responsible for the peace talks not progressing.

Palestinian Arabs Favor Extending Talks if Terrorists Freed

A majority of Palestinian Arabs would support extending peace talks if Israel releases more terrorists, finds new poll.

Abbas Sets Conditions for Extension of Talks

PA Chairman agrees to extend peace talks, but only if Israel freezes construction in Judea and Samaria and releases more terrorists.

Erekat: Israel Systemically Makes Effort to Spoil Talks

Chief PA negotiator accuses Israel of taking “actions against the Palestinian people” that indicate that it has “chosen settlers.”

Livni: Terrorist Release Depends on Abbas

Livni: the PA will have to show seriousness in talks in order for Israel to go ahead with the release of the fourth batch of terrorists.

PA Official: Recognizing Israel 'Hurts the Refugees'

Fatah member Nabil Shaath denies he said that the PA is willing to consider recognizing Israel as a Jewish state after talks conclude.

Erekat: Israel Must Choose - 'Settlements' or Peace

Chief PA negotiator blames Israel for lack of progress in peace talks, says negotiations don't need to be extended.

Kerry Urges Abbas to 'Make Tough Decisions'

Secretary of State urges PA Chairman "to make the tough decisions that will be necessary" for peace with Israel.

Abbas to Demand Terrorist Release, Construction Freeze

PA Chairman will demand that Israel release arch terrorists and freeze construction in return for continuation of talks.

Abbas: No Framework Has Been Presented Yet

PA Chairman meets British Prime Minister, says that no framework has been presented by the United States.

Kerry: It's a Mistake for Israel to Demand Recognition

Secretary of State thinks it is a “mistake” for Israel to demand that the PA recognize it as a Jewish state in order to achieve peace.

Poll: Most Israelis Don't Trust Kerry

Israeli Jews and Arabs alike believe that Kerry isn't taking Israel's security into account, finds monthly Peace Index poll.

Fatah Backs Abbas's Refusal to Recognize Israel

The Revolutionary Council of Fatah backs Abbas's "refusal to recognize the Jewishness of the State of Israel."

Elkin: '1967 Lines' Are a 'Red Line'

Likud MKs will strongly oppose any negotiations that are based on the indefensible pre-1967 borders, warns Deputy Foreign Minister.

Arab League Backs Abbas on Recognition of Israel

Israel’s demand that it be recognized as a Jewish state is an “attempt to foil the talks”, claims head of Arab League.

Report: Netanyahu Looking Into 'Enclave Peace Plan'

Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly looking into the option of applying a Dutch-Belgian enclave model to the peace agreement with the PA.

U.S.: No Need for PA to Recognize Israel

State Department spokeswoman says the U.S. believes there is no need for the PA to recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

Abbas: There's 'No Way' We'll Recognize Israel

PA Chairman stands his ground, reiterates that he will not recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

Abbas Aide: Extending Talks is Pointless

Former PA negotiator Mohammed Shtayyah says that the gaps between Israeli and PA negotiators only have widened in seven months of talks.

Report: Obama and Kerry At Odds Over Israel

Kerry reportedly upset over Obama's comments in interview with Jeffrey Goldberg, thinks they were too critical of Netanyahu.

Obama Promised Netanyahu to Pressure Abbas, Says Official

Obama committed to Prime Minister Netanyahu that the Palestinians are not "going to get a pass", reveals American official.

Kerry: Peace Isn't About Me, It's About You

Israel’s security "is our first priority," says Kerry at AIPAC conference. "We will not let the West Bank turn into another Gaza."

Abbas: Freeze Construction or Else...

PA Chairman threatens to end peace talks and turn to international institutions unless Israel freezes construction in Judea and Samaria.

Obama: Time is Running Out for Peace

"Bibi, if not now, when?" President Obama says in interview ahead of his meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister.

Shamir: Palestinian State? Forget It

Agriculture Minister says there is no room for a Palestinian state in the region, says he's willing to fight to keep Jerusalem united.

Obama to Meet Abbas on March 17

President Barack Obama will meet PA Chairman as part of Washington's efforts to convince him to embrace peace deal with Israel.

Erekat Rejects Proposal to Extend Peace Talks

PA chief negotiator rejects Kerry's suggestion that April deadline for talks with Israel will be extended.

Kerry: Peace Talks will Continue Beyond April

Kerry admits there won't be a peace deal by April's deadline, but says, "I don't think anybody would worry if there's another nine months."

Hamas: Recognizing Israel is a 'Death Sentence' to the PA

Lawmakers from Hamas warn PA Chairman against recognizing Israel as part of the ongoing peace process.

King Abdullah: Jordan is Jordan, and Palestine is Palestine

Jordan’s King Abdullah II rejects the notion that his country is an "alternative homeland" for Palestinian Arabs.

Akunis: Peace is Foreign to the Palestinians

Deputy Minister warns against construction freeze, says that PA's rejection of Kerry's framework proves it doesn't want peace.

PLO's Ashrawi: Israel is Sabotaging Peace Efforts

Israel is "willfully sabotaging" Kerry's peace efforts, Hanan Ashrawi tells visiting J Street delegation.

Peres Hails Kerry's Peace Efforts

Secretary of State Kerry "is doing an amazing job" mediating peace efforts, Peres tells Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

Kerry and Abbas Talks were 'Constructive', Says Official

Kerry and PA chairman "continue their constructive conversations on a framework", says American official.

Akunis: '67 Borders' Like Jumping Off a Skyscraper

An Israeli withdrawal to the pre-1967 borders is equivalent to suicide, says Likud Deputy Minister Ofir Akunis.

Erekat: No to Recognition, No to Israeli Presence in 'Palestine'

Chief PA negotiator meets Palestinian Arabs in London, reiterates PA refusal to recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

Erekat to Netanyahu: Say It - 1-9-6-7

Chief PA negotiator claims PA has made concessions while "stubborn" Israel has refused to give up anything.

Jordanian Parliament: No to Recognition of Israel

Jordanian parliament expresses support for PA's demands, rejects Israeli demand that it be recognized as a Jewish state.

Obama Lauds Kerry's Peace Efforts Amid Israeli Criticism

Obama thanks Kerry for his "extraordinary passion" in trying to achieve Israeli-PA peace.

Kerry on Israeli Critics: I've Been Threatened by Real Bullets

Kerry tells CNN he is unfazed by criticism in Israel over his peace efforts, says he was “threatened by real bullets”.

State Department: Attacks on Kerry Are Unacceptable

Israeli criticism of Kerry's peace efforts "distort his records and distract from key issues," says State Dept. spokeswoman.

Erekat: Israel is 'Racist' and Should be Punished

The world should rise against Israel’s "racist" regime, says the man who is in charge of peace talks on behalf of the PA.

Islamic Jihad Threatens to Sabotage Peace Talks

Islamic Jihad official: We will destroy any agreement that legitimizes "the Zionist occupation."

Jordan’s FM Rejects Recognizing Israel as Jewish State

Jordan’s Foreign Minister against recognizing Israel as a Jewish state, says Jordan is not an alternative home for Palestinian Arabs.

Abbas Suggests NATO Presence in Palestinian State

Abbas offers to have IDF troops remain in 'Palestine' for five years, then replace them with a NATO force that can stay "for a long time."

Livni Receives Compliments from Saudi Official

"I understand why you're Israel's negotiator," former head of Saudi intelligence tells Justice Minister at Munich conference.

Ashton to Discuss Israel-PA Peace with Middle East Quartet

EU foreign affairs head Catherine Ashton calls for "bold decisions" in the Israel-PA peace process.

U.S. Wants Peace by End of 2014, Indyk Tells Jewish Leaders

Kerry's "framework" will include a Palestinian state and will leave 80% of "settlers" in their homes, say Jewish leaders who met Indyk.

Palestinian Arabs Rally Against Talks with Israel

Leftist PA-based groups organize rallies against peace talks and against Kerry's proposal for a framework.

Kerry: Israel's Security Must be Ensured in Peace Deal

Kerry: Peace would involve ending the "occupation" but should also ensure that Judea and Samaria do not become another Gaza.

Netanyahu: I Will Not Evict Israelis from the Jordan Valley

Prime Minister Netanyahu tells reporters in Davos that he will not evict any Israeli communities in the Jordan Valley.

Abbas Wants Greater Russian Role in Peace Talks

Abbas, on a visit to Moscow, hails Russia's successes in the Middle East, asks it to play role in Israel-PA peace talks.

Abbas Not Ruling Out Speaking in the Knesset

PA Chairman tells Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) that he is willing to meet Netanyahu "anytime."

Erekat Fumes Over Latest Israeli Construction Approval

New construction in Givat Ze'ev proves Israel doesn't want peace, claims chief PA negotiator.

Abbas to Harper: There Will be No Israelis in 'Palestine'

PA Chairman meets Canadian Prime Minister, reiterates that there will be no official Israeli presence in the future Palestinian state.

Abbas: There's No Progress, and It's All Israel's Fault

Abbas says that the PA has gotten nothing out of peace negotiations with Israel, blames "the Israeli side."

Obama: Chances of Israel-PA Peace Less than 50%

President Obama tells the New Yorker he is not as optimistic as John Kerry regarding the possibility of Israel-PA peace.

Akunis: A Palestinian State would Endanger Israeli Cities

"I support maximum self-rule for the Palestinians but not a Palestinian state," says Deputy Minister Ofir Akunis.

Abbas: Israel Using Talks to Expand 'Settlements'

PA Chairman says peace talks must "not serve as a cover for the expansion of Israeli settlements."

'Arab States Will Never Recognize a Jewish State'

PA foreign minister: Arab states told Kerry that they fully support the PA's stand that it will not recognize Israel as a Jewish state.