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Proximity Talks: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) David Makovsky - Although Israel has been willing to hold direct talks for months, Abbas has convinced himself and others that face-to-face meetings would leave him politically exposed if they do not prove to be serious. To be sure, the Palestinians favor proximity talks because the format maximizes the U.S. role, which they believe will benefit their interests. Israel believes that any statement of U.S. principles would make negotiations more unlikely, given that Palestinians prefer U.S. proposals to those offered by the Netanyahu government. Mitchell reportedly opposes a statement of principles for similar reasons, fearing that it would bring his peace talks to a halt. Offering a set of "Obama Principles" could be useful only if there is broad buy-in from the Israelis, Palestinians, and key Arab states. Presenting U.S. principles in the current environment risks doing more harm than good. The writer is director of the Washington Institute's Project on the Middle East Peace Process.
2010-05-11 08:13:13
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