Kerry will find pessimism in Palestine
On an upcoming visit to the region, US Secretary of State John Kerry will find that the Palestinians have little faith in the ongoing peace talks
When US Secretary of State John Kerry visits the region this week, he is certain to find Palestinian expectations at an all-time low regarding any possible breakthrough in the peace talks with Israel. The dual resignations of Mohammad Shtayyeh and Saeb Erekat (who later rescinded his) reflect the Palestinians' general lack of faith in the negotiations, but also their desire not to burn any bridges, just in case.
More than halfway through the nine-month commitment to talks, the negotiations aim of producing a final package means that nothing will be agreed to until everything is agreed to. Not a single disputed issue can be checked off as being resolved along the way. Both sides will likely cling to their position on every controversial area until the very last minute.
Kerry’s visit might jolt Palestinians from a deep nap, after having shifted their attention from the political process to worrying about internal issues, such as the current teachers' strike.
A senior activist close to the office of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) told Al-Monitor that if the talks appear to be going nowhere, the pressure will increase on Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to produce some tangible results on the ground. Such "carrots" could be in the form of easing movement for Palestinians within the West Bank as well as among the West Bank, Jerusalem, Gaza and the King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge to Jordan.
