BBC Online :
Israel has cancelled the release of a fourth group of Palestinian prisoners over the Palestinian leadership’s pursuit of further UN recognition.
Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni said Palestinian actions had violated the terms of the release, which was part of a US-backed peace process.
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has applied to 15 UN conventions, accusing Israel of backtracking on its promises. Washington said Israel’s latest move “creates challenges”.
But White House spokesman Jay Carney said it would not deter US Secretary of State John Kerry from keeping talks between both sides going.
US Secretary of State John Kerry gamely continues to believe that scope remains here for a deal; not for a final-status agreement of course, but at least for an understanding to keep talking.
He told the Israelis and Palestinians that it’s time for leaders to lead in the search for compromise – but there’s no sign his advice is being taken.
The Palestinians have now abandoned an undertaking to refrain from applying for membership of various international organisations; a step which displeases Israel and the Americans. Now Israel says it won’t release a fourth and final group of 26 prisoners due to be freed under the agreement that got the talks started last year.
Each side blames the other for initiating that sequence of backward steps. In theory they could be reversed and a limited agreement reached to extend talks beyond the current 29 April deadline but the prospects are not improving.
“There has been progress in narrowing some of the questions that have arisen as a result of the events of the last few days,” he said.
“Neither side has indicated that they want to walk away from the talks. They both indicated they want to find a way to move forward.”
