Mitchell Fails in Latest Attempt to Jumpstart Talks

President Obama’s Mideast envoy George Mitchell will leave the region without seeing indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinians get underway. But a new target date of mid-May has apparently been set by President Obama for the start of the new round of negotiations. Obama formally invited the Palestinians to take part in the talks and promised that consistent with Palestinian demands, the talks will cover the core issues. Palestinian leader Mahmoud ‘Abbas also accepted President Obama’s invitation to visit the White House in May. It had been widely rumored that the kickoff of indirect talks was the reason for Mitchell’s latest foray into the Middle East, but after ‘Abbas remained steadfast in his refusal to participate unless Israel declares an absolute ban on all building on land acquired in the 1967 war, including Jerusalem, Mitchell will return to Washington empty-handed for the time being. With urging from the U.S., Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu offered a package of incentives intended to convince ‘Abbas to participate in what is being euphemistically referred to as “proximity talks,” but ‘Abbas insists he will continue to reject any offer that does not include the building freeze – something Netanyahu has made clear is not in the cards. What he did offer was the release of prisoners; removal of checkpoints and roadblocks; and handing over security responsibilities to Palestinian forces in additional areas. The Palestinians also rejected the suggestion being discussed by Mitchell and Prime Minister Netanyahu that would see a temporary state with borders that could be modified after statehood is established.