Tensions begin to surface as Palestine and Israel prepare for latest round of peace talks

Following on from the recent preliminary talks in Washington, the five year stalemate between Israel and Palestine is set to end this week as both countries prepare to meet in Jerusalem on Wednesday for the latest round of peace talks. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have a tough job on their hands and before peace talks have even begun, tensions are already rising in both countries. 

As Israel prepares to release over 100 Palestinian prisoners in phases over the coming months, including 26 long term prisoners later today, the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, who is acting mediator between the two countries, has urged restraint as 1,200 Jewish settlement homes are green lighted by the Israeli government. There has been an expectedly negative reaction to these developments from people in both countries and which could potentially see a rise in attacks between Palestinians and Israelis. 

A substantial number of Israelis are outraged at the imminent release of the political prisoners, seeing their freedom as an insult to their loved one's memory and angry their murderers are going unpunished. In a supreme court hearing yesterday, victim's families clutched pictures of their dearly departed whilst asking judges why the 'butchers' were soon to be released. One Israeli man told the press "It's painful to pay such a heavy price just as a concession for talks." This man lost his father in a brutal attack, so his pain is understandable. However, that said, in times of war, both sides must be prepared to make concessions if they ever hope to achieve a peaceful resolution.

On the other hand, there has been a lot of tension stemming from Israel approving new homes to be built on seized land, a move which many have seen as an attempt to 'sabotage' the peace talks. As well as discontent amongst the government and the general public, a number of high profile Palestinians have condemned the approval of new settlement homes. Winner of the Sydney Peace Prize and PLO Executive Committee member, Hanan Ashrawi, has criticised the move calling it an 'extremely dangerous' policy. Whilst writer Hani Habib denounced the entire peace talks writing "The Palestinians need to quit the talks because all they (Israel) gets is more building in the settlement." Over 500,000 Israelis live in the Palestinian West Bank and despite international condemnation, the number continues to grow. Despite the fact that the UN have repeatedly condemned the occupation of Palestinian lands, citing a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, the Israeli government refute these claims, calling them 'war-won' lands from the Six-Day war of 1967. To date, no country recognises the annexed lands as Israeli.

Previously President Abbas rejected any peace talks until a freeze was placed on the building of new homes in settlement areas, however Netanyanhu wholeheartedly rejected this, however talks have resumed. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude the two leaders came to compromise in the pre-peace talks in Washington as Abbas allows the building to continue, whilst Netanyanhu releases Palestinian prisoners. With violent attacks between the two factions rising dramatically, during, and for a time after, any previous peace talks, we have to hope that this time an agreement is reached,  and with as little as possible blood shed.

Lora

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