John Kerry
Photo: Reuters
Report: Kerry to present interim peace agreement at end of January
Palestinian sources reported to Al-Hayat that US secretary of state slated to present agreement in conference in Aqaba
US Secretary of State John Kerry is working on formulating an interim document between Israel
and the Palestinians, to be presented at the end of January, according to Palestinian sources quoted in Al-Hayat. The sources said the document is a general outline with vague and flexible demands which will allow room for both sides to maneuver.
The flexibility of the document will allow both Palestinians and Israelis to interpret the outline as they see fit. The sources noted that the document will be presented at a conference in the Jordanian city of Aqaba, which will be hosted by King Abdullah.
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According to the Palestinians, the American document will include a statement supporting Palestinian aspirations for Jerusalem as their capital, although its sovereignty and control of its borders and natural resources would remain in Israeli hands.
Benjamin Netanyahu during meeting with Jordanian King Abdulla, Thursday
Additionally, the settlement blocks would be annexed – Palestinians claim this would effectively cancel the '67 borders.
Sources claim that Palestinian security forces will in the future be trained by the United States, according to the document. The draft document notes that the implementation of the agreement between the two sides will be gradual and according to how each side stands up to its commitments.
Sources emphasized that the Palestinians will hold a referendum on the core issues which will take place during 2014.
On Thursday, Nabil Shaath, a senior member of the Palestinian negotiating team, complained that Israel succeeded in compelling Secretary Kerry to accede to its full demands. "Israel convinced Kerry," he claimed, "in his visits he deals with only two subjects – Israel as the Jewish State and the Jordan Valley." Shaath, quoted by a French news agency, wondered whether Israel was attempting to make it impossible for Palestinians to agree to an accord.
Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported that in the coming weeks Israel will return the remains of 36 Palestinians to encourage the peace process. "The decision to return the remains was received by the High Court of Justice in Israel," said an Israeli human rights activist to news agencies.
Jordanian King Abdullah met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday in Amman. The two leaders discussed developments in the political process between Israelis and Palestinians. The meeting was part of a long consultation process that the Jordanian king is undertaking with officials and sources relevant to the peace process.
Netanyahu returned to Israel that same afternoon. His office said: "The Prime Minister emphasized that Israel is stressing security arrangements which are vital to Jordanian interests in any future agreement – as the Israeli-Jordanian accords will need to be revisited.
"Netanyahu and King Abdullah discussed economic cooperation in a number of sectors, as well as other regional matters."
