Palestinian Officials Say Kerry Efforts to Restart Peace Talks Likely to Fail

Unless US Secretary of State John Kerry convinces Israel to halt all construction in areas Israel acquired in 1967 including in East Jerusalem, and Israel accepts a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, efforts to resume negotiations are doomed to fail, according to Palestinian negotiator Nabil Shath. He told the Voice of Palestine Radio that Palestinians are growing increasingly frustrated with the deadlock. “It’s obvious following the recent meetings in Jordan that there is no chance (or resuming peace talks),” Shath said. “This is not because Kerry does not want, but because he is unable to exert pressure on Israel. Israel is responsible for obstructing the peace process.”