2013–2014 Israeli–Palestinian peace talks

Before the peace talks began, both sides offered concessions. The Palestinian Authority offered to put on hold international recognition as a state by applying to international organizations while Israel offered the release of 104 Palestinian prisoners, 14 of whom are Arab-Israelis and all of whom had been in Israeli jails since before the 1993 Oslo I Accord.{{cite news|last=Harris|first=Emily|title=Kerry Tries To Get Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks Back on Track|url=https://www.npr.org/2013/11/06/243537892/kerry-tries-to-get-israel-palestine-peace-talks-back-on-track|access-date=4 January 2014|newspaper=npr|date=6 November 2013}}{{cite news|title=Who are the 104 Palestinian prisoners Israel will free for peace talks?|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.538523|newspaper=Haaretz|date=29 July 2013}} The prisoners were responsible for killing, in all, 55 Israeli civilians, 15 Israeli security forces personnel, one French tourist and dozens of suspected Palestinian collaborators.

Commenters have however pointed out that Israel had already promised to release these same 104 Palestinians, back in 1999 under the Sharm el-Sheikh Memorandum,{{cite web|url=https://www.knesset.gov.il/process/docs/sharm_eng.htm |title=The Sharm el Sheikh Memorandum|work=The Knesset}} but never did.{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/PA-welcomes-Israeli-decision-to-free-Palestinian-prisoners-vows-to-work-for-release-of-all-inmates-321310 |title=PA welcomes Israeli decision to free Palestinian prisoners, vows to work for release of all inmates|work=Jpost}} Critics also worry that Israel will simply quietly re-arrest the potentially released Palestinians, and state that Israel is using the slow release to hold the negotiations hostage and that the main goal of the release is to bolster Israel's image.{{cite news|last=Samaha|first=Nour|title=Palestinians worry about prisoner release|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/08/201389101325337889.html|access-date=4 January 2014|newspaper=Al Jazeera|date=10 August 2013}} According to the Sharm el-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee Report, Israel's decision not to release the prisoners at the time was due to significantly increased violence against Israel by their partner in the memorandum, the PLO, leading up to the Second Intifada. In the time leading up to the planned release, Israel perceived "institutionalized anti-Israel, anti-Jewish incitement; the release from detention of terrorists; the failure to control illegal weapons; and the actual conduct of violent operations" as a sign that "the PLO has explicitly violated its renunciation of terrorism and other acts of violence, thereby significantly eroding trust between the parties."{{cite web|title=Sharm El-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee Report|url=http://2001-2009.state.gov/p/nea/rls/rpt/3060.htm|work=US department of State|access-date=7 February 2014|date=30 April 2001}}

Over the 9 months period, John Kerry met with the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas on 34 occasions, and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu roughly twice as many times.Jodi Rudoren, Isabel Kerschner, [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/29/world/middleeast/arc-of-a-failed-deal-how-nine-months-of-mideast-talks-ended-in-dissarray.html ','] The New York Times, 28 April 2014.

On 29 July 2013, as Israeli and Palestinian negotiators met for a second day in Washington to discuss renewing peace talks, Mahmoud Abbas said "in a final resolution, we would not see the presence of a single Israeli – civilian or soldier – on our lands." His comments drew immediate condemnation from Israeli officials, who accused him for discriminating against Jews.{{cite news|title=Mahmoud Abbas foresees Palestinian state with no Israelis |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-abbas-palestinian-israeli-20130730,0,2807674.story#axzz2pRCLCu5E |access-date=4 January 2014 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=30 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211203548/http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-abbas-palestinian-israeli-20130730%2C0%2C2807674.story |archive-date=11 December 2013 }}{{cite news|title= Middle East peace talks under way|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/30/middle-east-peace-talks-under|access-date= 4 February 2014|date=30 July 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/obama-admin-pushes-peace-process-abbas-vows-no-113622595.html|title=As Obama Admin Pushes Peace Process, Abbas Vows No Israelis in Palestine: 'Racist and Hateful Vision'|date=30 July 2013|work=Yahoo News|access-date=19 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Abbas-wants-not-a-single-Israeli-in-future-Palestinian-state-321470|title=Abbas: 'Not a single Israeli' in future Palestinian state|work=The Jerusalem Post - JPost.com|access-date=19 December 2014}}

On 13 August, the first day, the Palestinian team leaders were Saeb Erekat and Muhammed Shtayyeh while their Israeli counterparts were Tzipi Livni and Yitzhak Molcho. The US mediators were Martin Indyk and Frank Lowenstein.{{cite news|title=Israel-Palestinian peace talks resume in Jerusalem|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23693094|access-date=4 January 2014|newspaper=BBC News|date=15 August 2013}} On 13 August, Israel released the first batch of 26 Palestinian prisoners.{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Israel-Prison-Service-prepares-to-release-Palestinian-prisoners-322923|title=Low-key victory party greets first round of released prisoners at Mukata in Ramallah|work=Jerusalem Post|author=Hartman, Ben|date=14 August 2013|access-date=30 July 2014}} On 19 August, Mahmoud Abbas called for the US to step up its involvement in the talks, saying its role should be proactive and not merely supervisory.{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-08/19/c_132644376.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229110041/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-08/19/c_132644376.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 December 2014|title=Abbas calls for effective U.S. role in talks with Israel|access-date=4 January 2014}} On 20 August, Israel urged the United States to back Egypt's military government, saying failure to do so would risk derailing the peace talks.{{cite news|title=Israel warns US: Alienating Egyptian army could risk peace talks|url=http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Israel-warns-US-Alienating-Egyptian-army-might-risk-peace-talks-323642|access-date=7 February 2014|newspaper=Jpost}} On 22 August, Mahmoud Abbas said that no progress had been made in the first four talks. He also said that the Palestinian right of return would likely have to be waived in the event of any peace agreement. He also walked back his earlier statement that he wanted a Palestinian state without a single Israeli; he said that what he meant was no Israelis who were "part of the occupation", but that he wouldn't have a problem with Jews or Israelis coming to Palestine for business or tourism reasons, as long as they were not an occupying force.{{cite news|title=Abbas: Peace deal will mean end of Palestinian demands of Israel|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.543125|access-date=7 February 2014|newspaper=Haaretz}}

On 5 September 2013, Palestinian negotiator Nabil Shaath said that Israel has yet to put any new offers on the table, that Israel has only allowed Martin Indyk to attend one of the six talks so far, and that the Palestinian leadership would not accept "temporary solutions", only a permanent peace deal.{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/PA-official-Palestinian-leadership-will-not-accept-temporary-solutions-325320|title=PA official: Palestinian leadership will not accept temporary solutions|access-date=7 February 2014|newspaper=Jpost}} On 8 September, Israel accused the Palestinians of leaking information about the talks, which are supposed to be kept secret, to the press. An Israeli official also stated that some of the information leaked by Palestinians was not true.{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-israel-palestinian-leaks-20130908,0,7027338.story|title=Israel accuses Palestinians of leaking news from peace talks | work=Los Angeles Times | first=Batsheva|last=Sobelman|date=8 September 2013}} On 25 September, both Israel and the Palestinians agreed to intensify peace talks with an increased United States role.{{cite news|title=Kerry: Israel, Palestinian agree to intensify peace talks|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4433520,00.html|access-date=4 January 2014|newspaper=Ynet News}}

On 26 September, Mahmoud Abbas spoke in front of the UN Security Council, and welcomed the resumption of peace talks while at the same time criticizing Israel's settlement building. The Israeli delegation was not present for Abbas' speech, because they were observing the holiday of Sukkot.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/at-un-palestinian-leader-abbas-criticizes-israel-but-pledges-good-faith-in-peace-talks/2013/09/26/4767d2ee-26ed-11e3-9372-92606241ae9c_story.html|title=At U.N., Palestinian leader Abbas criticizes Israel, but pledges good faith in peace talks|access-date=7 January 2014|newspaper=Washington post|first=Anne|last=Gearan|date=26 September 2013}} Hamas and the Islamic Jihad called for a third intifada, and a spokesman for Hamas' armed wing said that the current peace talks were "futile".{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Hamas-Islamic-Jihad-call-for-a-third-intifada-327202|title=Hamas, Islamic Jihad call for a third intifada}}

On 17 October 2013, Abbas reiterated his view that he would not accept any Israeli military presence on Palestinian territory.{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Palestinian-Authority-We-wont-allow-Israeli-security-presence-in-W-Bank-329072|title=Palestinian Authority: We won't allow Israeli security presence in W. Bank}} On 22 October, Israel and the Palestinians are reported to have discussed the issue of water.{{cite news|title=Palestinians, Israelis discuss water in latest peace talks|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4444201,00.html|access-date=4 January 2014|newspaper=Ynet News|date=22 October 2013}} On 27 October, Israel prepared to release another round of Palestinian prisoners to create a positive climate for the ongoing peace talks.{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Israel-expected-to-free-more-Palestinian-prisoners-this-week-329809|title=Israel expected to free more Palestinian prisoners}} On 28 October, Netanyahu categorically rejected the Palestinian right of return and said that Jerusalem must remain undivided.{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Netanyahu-rejects-Palestinian-right-of-return-to-Israel-329895|title=Netanyahu rejects Palestinian right of return to Israel}} On 29 October, the second stage of the Palestinian prisoners' release was completed as 26 prisoners were released.{{cite web|url=http://www.i24news.tv/app.php/en/news/israel/diplomacy-defense/131029-terror-victims-beg-court-to-halt-prisoner-release|title=Israel transfers second group of Palestinian prisoners to West Bank, Gaza|work=i24 News|date=30 October 2013|access-date=30 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808033629/http://www.i24news.tv/app.php/en/news/israel/diplomacy-defense/131029-terror-victims-beg-court-to-halt-prisoner-release|archive-date=8 August 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

On 6 November, Israeli negotiators said there will not be a state based on the 1967 borders and that the Separation Wall will be a boundary.{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/11/israel-says-separation-wall-will-be-border-201311514132609960.html|title=Israel says Separation Wall will be border|access-date=4 January 2014|date=6 November 2013}} On 14 November, the Palestinian team quit the negotiations blaming the "escalation of settlement-building."{{cite news|title=Palestinian negotiators quit in protest|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/11/palestinian-negotiators-quit-protest-201311148159235852.html|access-date=7 February 2014|newspaper=Al Jazeera|date=14 November 2013}}

On 4 December 2013, Saeb Erekat told John Kerry that the peace talks with Israel were faltering and urged Kerry to salvage them. Also, an Israeli newspaper reported that Israel was prepared to hand 2000 hectares (5000 acres, or 7 sq. mi.) of land to the Palestinians to show that it was prepared to allow Palestinian projects on these lands. The land had been privately owned by Palestinians but militarily occupied by Israel.{{cite news|title=Palestinian peace envoy urges Kerry to "save talks" with Israel|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-palestinians-israel-talks-idUSBRE9B30LG20131204|access-date=7 February 2014|newspaper=Reuters|date=4 December 2013}} On 26 December, Likud ministers led by Miri Regev began pushing a bill to annex the Jordan Valley, which would prevent Netanyahu from accepting the American proposal for the Jordan Valley and border crossings into Jordan to be placed under Palestinian control, with border security provided by IDF soldiers and the US.{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Likud-pushing-bill-to-annex-Jordan-Valley-336285|title=Likud pushing bill to annex Jordan Valley}} On 30 December, Saeb Erekat said that the peace talks had failed, citing the aforementioned Israeli bill to annex the Jordan Valley. Erekat said that denying the Palestinian state a border with Jordan would be a clear step toward apartheid, and that the PA should instead unilaterally seek international recognition and membership in organizations. Erekat also said that "Israel wants to destroy the two-state solution through its daily practices." The PLO senior official also rejected the idea of extending the peace talks beyond their nine-month deadline.{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Erekat-Peace-talks-have-failed-PA-should-seek-statehood-recognition-336586|title=Erekat: Peace talks have failed, PA should seek statehood recognition}} On 30 December, Israel released its third set of prisoners, consisting of 26 Palestinian security prisoners.{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/National-News/Israel-prepares-to-release-third-group-of-Palestinian-prisoners-336601|title=26 Palestinian prisoners released, head home to celebrations|work=Jerusalem Post|date=31 December 2013|access-date=30 July 2014}}

On 1 January 2014, Maariv reported that Israeli and American leaders had been discussing, and seriously considering, the possibility of ceding parts of the Arab Triangle to the Palestinians in exchange for Jewish settlements in the West Bank. The residents of the Triangle would automatically become Palestinian citizens if this happened. This idea is similar to the Lieberman Plan. Rami Hamdallah also said that despite Erekat's insistence that the talks had failed, the Palestinians would continue participating in the talks until the April deadline.{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-reportedly-offering-land-and-its-300000-residents-to-palestinians/|title=Israel reportedly offering land and its 300,000 residents to Palestinians|work=The Times of Israel}} On 5 January, hardliners in Netanyahu's coalition threatened to withdraw from the government if he accepted the 1967 borders as a baseline for talks. Dovish opposition parties, such as Labor, said they would join if this occurred, in order to prevent the coalition from breaking up completely.{{cite news|title=Israeli hardliners object to Kerry pressure|url=https://news.yahoo.com/israeli-hardliners-object-kerry-pressure-134119640.html|access-date=7 February 2014|newspaper=Yahoo News|date=5 January 2014}} On 9 January, according to insiders, support for a two-state agreement within the Knesset stood at 85 in favor to 35 opposed. In addition to the Labor Party, American negotiators were also attempting to persuade Haredi parties Shas and United Torah Judaism, both of which are generally supportive of the peace process, to join the government to keep negotiations alive.{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21593478-john-kerry-may-be-gradually-persuading-enough-israeli-right-wingers|title=He may be getting somewhere, after all|date=11 January 2014|newspaper=The Economist}}

On 10 January 2014, Israel approved plans for 1,400 settler homes. Saeb Erekat responded by saying "The recent announcement shows Israel's clear commitment to the destruction of peace efforts and the imposition of an apartheid regime".{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-palestinians-israel-settlements-idUSBREA090KW20140110|title=Israel announces plans for building 1,400 settlement homes|work=Reuters|date=10 January 2014}} Tzipi Livni, who also opposed new settler homes, was responded by Israeli politician Ze'ev Elkin, who suggested the settlements were vital for Israel's security: "The path that Livni recommends means we will have to say goodbye to our security," he said.{{cite news|title=Kerry meeting with Netanyahu, Peres postponed due to snow|url=http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/On-eve-of-Kerry-visit-Livni-says-deal-with-PA-will-be-implemented-gradually-334739|access-date=11 January 2014|newspaper=Jpost}} On 14 January, Israel's defense minister Moshe Ya'alon rejected the negotiations and insulted John Kerry, saying he was acting based upon "messianic feeling", and that "The only thing that can 'save' us is that John Kerry will get a Nobel Peace Prize and leave us alone." Yuval Steinitz, another members of the Likud, expressed general agreement with Ya'alon's views, but disagreed with the personal insult.{{cite web|url=http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2014/01/14/22298718-messianic-john-kerry-should-leave-us-alone-israels-defense-minister-says?lite|title='Messianic' John Kerry should 'leave us alone,' Israel's defense minister says}} However, Yaalon later issued an official apology in a written statement sent to media from the Defense Ministry.{{cite news|title=Israeli defense minister apologizes for comments about Kerry|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/14/politics/u-s-israel-kerry-remarks/|access-date=24 January 2014|newspaper=CNN|date=15 January 2014}} On 18 January, Israel's finance minister Yair Lapid threatened to take his party, Yesh Atid, out of the coalition if peace talks did not advance. This would have toppled the government and forced either the formation of a new coalition, or early elections.{{cite news|title=Lapid threatens coalition over peace process|url=http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Labor-officials-lobby-Livni-Lapid-to-quit-confrontational-Netanyahu-coalition-338578|access-date=7 February 2014|newspaper=Jpost}}

On 21 January 2014, Israel announced plans for 381 new settler homes in the West Bank. The Palestinians condemned this move, and also ruled out the possibility of the peace talks extending beyond the nine-month deadline.{{cite news|title=Peace hopes fade as Israel plans 381 more settler homes|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140121/peace-hopes-fade-israel-plans-381-more-settler-homes-0|access-date=7 February 2014|newspaper=Global Post}} On 22 January, Abbas said he would like Russia to take a more active role in the negotiations.{{cite news|title=Russia, a major player in Palestine-Israel peace process: Abbas|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/russia-a-major-player-in-palestine-israel-peace-process-abbas-114012200048_1.html|access-date=7 February 2014|newspaper=Business Standard|date=22 January 2014}} On 27 January, the Palestinians said they would not allow "a single settler" to remain in a Palestinian state, but that this did not stem from anti-Jewish attitudes. Rather, Jews living in the West Bank would have the option of remaining if they renounced their Israeli citizenship and applied to be citizens of Palestine. A poll has shown that 4.5% of Jewish settlers would consider becoming Palestinian citizens under such an arrangement.{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinians-yes-to-jews-no-to-settlers-in-our-state/|title=Palestinians: Yes to Jews, no to settlers in our state|website=The Times of Israel |date=27 January 2014}} On 31 January, according to Martin Indyk, the framework for the US-backed Middle East peace deal will allow up to 80 per cent of Jewish settlers to remain in the West Bank. The deal would redraw borders so that some 80 per cent of settlers' homes would be redesignated as being in Israel, while other parcels land would be handed back to Palestinian control in a proposed land-swap deal. Another key point of the framework would be that Israel would be allowed to retain a role in maintaining security along the West Bank's border with neighbouring Jordan. The new security arrangements would see a zone created with hi-tech fences equipped with sensors and drone surveillance planes flying overhead. Also the final peace treaty could also provide compensation for victims on both sides of the historic conflict.{{cite news|title=Hundreds of thousands of settlers may stay put under leaked framework for Middle East peace deal|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/10610803/Hundreds-of-thousands-of-settlers-may-stay-put-under-leaked-framework-for-Middle-East-peace-deal.html|access-date=7 February 2014|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=31 January 2014|location=London|first=Inna|last=Lazareva}}

On 3 February 2014, Abbas suggests that US-led NATO troops patrol a future Palestinian state instead of Israeli troops having a presence in Jordan Valley, but Israeli settlers and soldiers have five years to leave Palestine once the state is formed.{{cite news|title=Abbas's Good Idea for Israel|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-03/abbas-s-good-idea-for-israel.html|access-date=7 February 2014|newspaper=Bloomberg|date=4 February 2014}} On 6 February, Israel reportedly sought to annex 10 percent of the West Bank, but Palestinian negotiators insisted that they keep at least 97 percent.{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-reportedly-ready-to-give-up-90-of-the-west-bank/|title=Israel said willing to give up 90% of West Bank|website=The Times of Israel }}:'that Israel is seeking to annex about 10 percent of the West Bank’s land area in a final deal. Meanwhile, the Palestinians are seeking to have Israel annex only around 3% of the West Bank.' On 9 February, ministers voted down a proposal by Likud legislator Miri Regev to annex certain West Bank settlements and the roads leading to them.{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Ministers-reject-Regev-proposal-to-annex-West-Bank-settlements-340844|title=Ministers reject Regev proposal to annex West Bank settlements}}

During the course of negotiations, Netanyahu followed the precedent of Israel's former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israel-agrees-to-free-400-palestinian-prisoners-before-annapolis-summit-1.233026|title=Israel agrees to free 400 Palestinian prisoners before Annapolis summit|date=12 November 2007|work=Haaretz.com|access-date=19 December 2014}} and made recognition of Israel as a Jewish state a requirement for peace. Some news sources falsely reported that Netanyahu was the first Israeli Prime Minister to make such a requirement.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-arabs-idUSBREA280J920140309 'Arab League, Abbas reject recognizing Israel as 'Jewish state,'] Reuters, 9 March 2014. Urging Abbas to recognize Israel as the Jewish-nation state, he reportedly said:

'it's time for the Palestinians to stop denying history. Just as Israel is prepared to recognize a Palestinian state, the Palestinian leadership must be prepared to recognize the Jewish state. In doing so you will tell your people that, though we have a territorial dispute, Israel's right to exist is beyond dispute. You would finally make it clear that you are truly prepared to end the conflict."[http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.577867 Netanyahu: Israel prepared to make peace, but Abbas must recognize Jewish state] Haaretz 4 March 2014

To that end, he announced his intention to introduce such a definition of Israel in a Basic Law. The proposed law would be in addition to Israel's declaration of independence of May 1948 which defines Israel as a Jewish state. Justice Minister Tzipi Livni expressed concern over the proposal. Although she was in favor of defining Israel more clearly in law as "the national home of the Jewish people and a democratic state", she has expressed opposition to "any law that gives superiority" to the Jewish nature of state over the country's democratic values. Livni also said she could only support legislation where "Jewish and democratic would have the same weight, not more Jewish than democratic, nor more democratic than Jewish".[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/04/binyamin-netanyahu-israel-jewish-state Netanyahu pushes to define Israel as nation state of Jewish people only] The Guardian 4 May 2014

Abbas dismissed this demand, pointing out that the Palestinians had already extended recognition of the State of Israel, both in 1988 and in the 1993 Oslo Accords. He added that, neither Jordan nor Egypt, with whom Israel had made peace treaties had been asked to recognize Israel's Jewish character. The Palestinians would never accept Israel as a 'religious state' since, it would damage the rights of Israel's Palestinian minority and

'to accept it now as a Jewish state would compromise the claims of millions of Palestinian refugees whose families fled the fighting that followed Israel's creation in 1948 and were not allowed to return."[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/abbas-refuses-to-recognize-israel-as-a-jewish-state/article17538224/ Abbas refuses to recognize Israel as a 'Jewish state'] The Globe and Mail 17 March 2014Jack Khoury/Associated Press [http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.582110 'Arab League rejects Israel as Jewish state,'] Haaretz 26 March 2014.[http://www.jta.org/2014/04/27/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/abbas-palestinians-will-never-recognize-israel-as-jewish-state 'Abbas: Palestinians will never recognize Israel as Jewish state,'] JTA April 27, 2014.

At the end of March, Haaretz reported that the United States, Israel and the Palestinian Authority were negotiating a "grand bargain" to "salvage peace talks".[http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.583059 U.S. may free Pollard if Israel agrees to freeze construction, release prisoners] Haaretz 31 March 2014 Kerry and Netanyahu discussed a possible deal to extend them until the end of 2014 and to ensure the Palestinians didn't make unilateral moves at the United Nations. The Israeli proposal conditioned the release of the fourth tranche of 26 Palestinian prisoners on an extension of the negotiations beyond the current deadline of 29 April and included the release about 400 low-profile Palestinian prisoners, as well as the 26 high-profile prisoners, including 14 Israeli Arabs.{{cite news|title=Israel Halts Prisoner Release as Talks Hit Impasse|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/04/world/middleeast/mideast-peace-talks.html?_r=0|work=The New York Times|date=3 April 2014}} It excluded the high-profile prisoners Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat who Israel categorically refused to release. Israel also offered to put an unofficial freeze on most settlement construction outside of East Jerusalem for the next eight months. Israel said it would resolve the status of family reunification requests submitted by some 5,000 families in the West Bank and Gaza. According to Israeli officials, the United States would release Jonathan Pollard as a concession to Israel. On 23 April 2014, The Jerusalem Post reported that Abbas listed 3 conditions for extending peace talks beyond the 29 April deadline; that the borders of a future Palestinian state be dealt with during the first three months of the extended talks, a complete freeze on all settlement construction, and the release without deportation of the fourth batch of Palestinian prisoners, including Israeli-Arabs.{{cite news|title=Abbas sets conditions for extending talks with Israel|url=http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Abbas-prepared-to-meet-Netanyahu-anytime-any-place-350095|publisher=The Jerusalem Post|date=23 April 2014}}

Israel reacted angrily to the Fatah–Hamas Gaza Agreement of 23 April 2014 whose main purpose was reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas, the formation of a Palestinian unity government and the holding of new elections.{{cite news|title=Hamas and Fatah unveil Palestinian reconciliation deal|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27128902|publisher=BBC|date=23 April 2014}} Israel halted peace talks with the Palestinians, saying it "will not negotiate with a Palestinian government backed by Hamas, a terrorist organization that calls for Israel's destruction", and threatened sanctions against the Palestinian Authority,[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4513046,00.html Sanctions and suspended talks - Israel responds to Palestinian reconciliation] Ynet News 24 April 2014[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/24/middle-east-israel-halts-peace-talks-palestinians Israel suspends peace talks with Palestinians after Fatah-Hamas deal]. The Guardian, 24 April 2014 including a previously announced Israeli plan to unilaterally deduct Palestinian debts to Israeli companies from the tax revenue Israel collects for the PA.[http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-israel-talks-20140425-story.html Israel suspends peace talks with Palestinians]. Batsheva Sobelman, Los Angeles Times, 24 April 2014 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Abbas of sabotaging peace efforts. He said that Abbas cannot have peace with both Hamas and Israel and has to choose.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140424031035/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/23/plo-hamas-agree-unity-pact-form-government Fatah and Hamas agree landmark pact after seven-year rift]. Peter Beaumont and Paul Lewis, The Guardian, 24 April 2014[http://www.france24.com/en/20140423-fatah-hamas-agree-palestinian-unity-government/ The rival Palestinian leaderships of Fatah and Hamas made a fresh attempt ...] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424015211/http://www.france24.com/en/20140423-fatah-hamas-agree-palestinian-unity-government/ |date=2014-04-24 }}. France 24/AP, 23 April 2014 Abbas said the deal did not contradict their commitment to peace with Israel on the basis of a two-state solution{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27128902|title=Hamas and Fatah unveil Palestinian reconciliation deal|date=23 April 2014}} and assured reporters that any unity government would recognize Israel, be non-violent, and bound to previous PLO agreements.{{cite news|url=http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/350bab0043d15ec68f158ff0c0fe2c4c/PLO,-Hamas-unity-constitute-reuniting-West-Bank-and-Gaza:-Ban-Ki-moon|title=PLO, Hamas unity constitute reuniting West Bank and Gaza: Ban Ki-moon|date=29 April 2014|access-date=1 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924093607/http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/350bab0043d15ec68f158ff0c0fe2c4c/PLO,-Hamas-unity-constitute-reuniting-West-Bank-and-Gaza:-Ban-Ki-moon|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}} Shortly after, Israel began implementing economic sanctions against Palestinians and canceled plans to build housing for Palestinians in Area C of the West Bank.[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4514309,00.html Israel begins implementing economic sanctions against Palestinians] Ynet News 29 April 2014 Abbas also threatened to dissolve the PA, leaving Israel fully responsible for both the West Bank and Gaza,New York Times, 22 April 2014,[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/23/world/middleeast/abbas-palestinian-authority.html Abbas Renews Threat to Dissolve Palestinian Authority if Peace Talks Fail] a threat that the PA has not put into effect.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}

Notwithstanding Israeli objections and actions, a Palestinian Unity Government was formed on 2 June 2014.[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4513046,00.html Sanctions and suspended talks – Israel responds to Palestinian reconciliation] – Retrieved 4 September 2014

On 2 May 2014, the Hebrew daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth cited an anonymous senior American official as placing the blame for the break-down in talks mainly on Israel's settlement stance, directly quoting the remark: 'Netanyahu did not move more than an inch." Israeli sources in Jerusalem later reported that the remarks came from the US Special Envoy Indyk himself, who was reportedly preparing to hand in his resignation.Barak Ravid, [http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.588834 'U.S. envoy Indyk likely to resign amid talks blowup,' ] Haaretz, 4 May 2014 Whoever the source of the comment, the White House cleared the interview in which the remarks were made.Mark Landler, [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/16/world/mideast-peace-effort-pauses-to-let-failure-sink-in.html 'Mideast Peace Effort Pauses to Let Failure Sink In,'] The New York Times 15, May 2014. In this the officials appeared to be referring to the Israeli government announcement of a record 14,000 new settlement housing units.[http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.587901 "Israel Authorizes Record Amount of West Bank Land for Settlement Construction,"] Haaretz, 29 April 2014[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4515821,00.html 'Inside the Talks' Failure: US Officials Open up,'] Ynet 2 May 2014. Mark Landler has written that the remark attributed to Indyk reflected the President's own views:

Publicly, Mr. Obama has said that both sides bear responsibility for the latest collapse. But the president believes that more than any other factor, Israel’s drumbeat of settlement announcements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem poisoned the atmosphere and doomed any chance of a breakthrough with the Palestinians.

In a talk later given at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Indyk stated that Netanyahu had shown enough flexibility to come within the zone of an agreement. However, Indyk also stated that Netanyahu was undermined by members of his coalition, who kept making announcements of new settlements. Although Israeli sources insisted that Netanyahu negotiated in good faith.[http://www.timesofisrael.com/countering-us-narrative-some-israeli-sources-insist-pm-negotiated-sincerely/ Countering US narrative, some Israeli sources insist PM negotiated sincerely] Times of Israel 6 May 2014. In an interview with The New York Times, Indyk further added that his impression was that, 'For Israelis . .(t)The Palestinians have become ghosts,' citing what he felt was the most meaningful personal moment in the talks, when the Palestinian Director of Intelligence, Majid Faraj, told his Israeli counterparts across the table, "You just don't see us." He also said that "there is so much water under the bridge... the difficulties we faced were far more because of the 20 years of distrust that built up".[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4538025,00.html 'Indyk: Talks failed due to 'skepticism' between Israelis, Palestinians,'] Ynet 4 July 2014.

Pope Francis during his three-day pilgrimage to the Middle East, intervened in the collapsed peace process, endorsing the State of Palestine, calling the situation "increasingly unacceptable" and issuing an invitation to both the Israeli and Palestinian presidents to join in a prayer summit at his home in the Vatican. A meeting was scheduled to that effect for 6 June.Jodi Rudoren, Isabel Kershner, Jim Yardley,[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/26/world/middleeast/pope-francis-west-bank.html?hp 'Israeli and Palestinian Leaders to Meet With Pope at Vatican,'] The New York Times 25 May 2014.

In June 2014, a leaked recording from an unknown date showed that chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat believed the reason Netanyahu entered the peace talks was to build more settlements and disliked how President Mahmoud Abbas had committed to not go to international bodies.{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/top-palestinian-official-recorded-upbraiding-mistaken-abbas/|title=Top Palestinian negotiator rips into 'discredited, useless' Abbas - The Times of Israel|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=19 December 2014}}

However, Israeli national security adviser Joseph Cohen revealed a 65-page document that chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat submitted to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on 9 March, three weeks before Israel was to release the final batch of Palestinian prisoners. In it, Erekat proposed a strategy for the PA during the final month of negotiations and after 29 April, when the talks were originally scheduled to end before their premature collapse. Erekat recommended applying to join various international conventions, informing the U.S. and Europe that the Palestinians wouldn't extend the talks beyond 29 April, demanding that Israel nevertheless release the final batch of prisoners, intensifying efforts to reconcile with Hamas to thwart what he termed an Israeli effort to sever the West Bank from Gaza politically, and various other diplomatic and public relations moves. Cohen concludes that even while the Palestinians were talking with Washington about the possibility of extending the peace talks, they were actually planning to blow them up, and had been planning to do so even before Abbas met with U.S. President Barack Obama on 17 March.[http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.589256 Israel to U.S. and EU: Palestinians deceived Kerry] Haaretz 7 May 2014.[http://www.haaretz.co.il/st/inter/Hheb/images/cohen.pdf Letter by Joseph Cohen] 22 April 2014.

According to Peace Now, during the nine months of peace talks Israel set a new record for settlement expansion at nearly 14,000 newly approved settler homes.{{cn|date=December 2020}} Despite freezing settlements was not a precondition to restart peace talks,{{cite news|title=Talks resume, but Palestinian public still divided|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4411829,00.html|newspaper=Ynet News|date=30 July 2013}}{{cite news|title=Peace Now: Israel approved 14,000 settlement homes during peace talks|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4514477,00.html|newspaper=Ynet News|date=29 April 2014}} Palestinian official Nabil Shaath condemned settlement construction, saying "the settlement activities have made negotiations worthless."{{cite news|title=Israeli settlement construction doubles in 2013|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/israeli-settlement-construction-doubles-2013|newspaper=Associated Press|date=3 March 2014}} For its part, Israeli spokesman Mark Regev condemned sporadic Palestinian incitement, saying "the terrorist attacks against Israelis over the last few days are a direct result of the incitement and hatred propagated in Palestinian schools and media."{{cite news|title=Israel blames terror surge on Palestinian incitement|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-blames-violence-on-palestinian-incitement/|newspaper=The Times of Israel|date=25 December 2013}} According to B'Tselem, during this same period forty-five Palestinians and six Israelis were killed.[http://www.btselem.org/statistics/fatalities/after-cast-lead/by-date-of-event Fatalities after operation Cast Lead] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308112551/http://www.btselem.org/statistics/fatalities/after-cast-lead/by-date-of-event |date=8 March 2013 }} B'Tselem

US Secretary of State John Kerry said that if the peace talks failed, there would likely be a third intifada.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-palestinians-israel-kerry-idUSBRE9A60P220131107|title=Kerry warns Israel of troubles ahead if peace talks fail|work=Reuters | date=7 November 2013}} Despite all efforts of John Kerry, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas blamed Israel for the lack of progress, saying "the problem is with the Israeli side and not with us."{{cite news|last=Benari|first=Elad|title=Abbas: There's No Progress, and It's All Israel's Fault|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/176491#.UvS_Qku4zWw|access-date=7 February 2014|newspaper=Arutz 7|date=20 January 2014}} In January, a PLO member reported that the US implied a threat to cut all aid to the Palestinian Authority and a future inability to control Israeli settlement expansion if a peace agreement was not reached.{{cite news|title=Kerry threatens to cut PA aid if no peace deal signed|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/kerry-threatened-to-cut-pa-aid-if-no-peace-deal-signed/|access-date=20 April 2014|newspaper=The Times of Israel|date=9 January 2014}}

EU Ambassador to Israel, Lars Faaborg-Andersen said if peace talks fail, Israel will likely be blamed for the break down.{{cite news|title=Israel likely to be blamed for failed peace talks|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-likely-to-be-blamed-for-failed-peace-talks/|access-date=29 December 2013|newspaper=TheTimesofIsrael|date=29 December 2013}} Yair Lapid said that the country could be targeted by an economically costly boycott if peace talks with the Palestinians fail, signalling that concerns about growing international isolation have moved centre stage in Israel's public discourse.{{cite news|title=Failed Palestinian peace talks will hit every Israeli in the pocket|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/failed-palestinian-peace-talks-will-hit-every-israeli-in-the-pocket-9100288.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/failed-palestinian-peace-talks-will-hit-every-israeli-in-the-pocket-9100288.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription|access-date=7 February 2014|newspaper=The Independent|date=31 January 2014|location=London|first=Ian|last=Deitch}}{{cbignore}}

Some critics believe that Israel is only trying to "put on a show," claiming the Israelis do not seek a peace agreement, but are using these peace talks to further other goals, including improving their image, strengthening their occupation of the West Bank, and decreasing the viability of Palestine as a state free of Israeli occupation.{{cite news|title=Kerry's new peace plan sets the Palestinians up to fail|url=http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/kerrys-new-peace-plan-sets-the-palestinians-up-to-fail#full|access-date=4 January 2014|newspaper=The National|date=4 June 2013}}{{cite news|last=Cook|first=Jonathan|title=Peace process is doomed to fail while Israel stalls for time|url=http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/peace-process-is-doomed-to-fail-while-israel-stalls-for-time#full|access-date=4 January 2014|date=29 October 2013}}{{cite news|last=Hatuqa|first=Dalia|title=Analysis: Palestinians see peace process as 'doomed experiment'|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/9/8/analysis-palestiniansseelatesttalksashopeless.html|access-date=4 January 2014|newspaper=Al Jazeera|date=8 September 2013}} Henry Siegman faults the United States, arguing that it is 'widely seen as the leading obstacle for peace' for its repeated failure to use leverage against Israel, and for failing to impose red lines for an agreement, and leading Israeli leaders to believe no consequences would ensue were Israel to reject American proposals.Henry Siegman [http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.584502 Why America is irrelevant to Middle East peacemaking], Haaretz 8 April 2014.

Danny Danon stated that the Palestinians failed to make concessions during the negotiations period and that they were only interested in seeing militants released from prison.{{cite news|title=Danon: Peace talks going nowhere, Palestinians only want terrorists freed|url=http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Palestinians-Israel-said-no-prisoner-release-346812|access-date=20 April 2014|newspaper=Jerusalem Post|date=28 March 2014}} Netanyahu told Kerry "I want peace, but the Palestinians continue to incite, create imaginary crises and avoid the historical decisions necessary for a real peace."{{cite news|title=Netanyahu to Kerry: We want peace, but Palestinians continue to incite|url=http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Netanyahu-to-KerryWe-want-peace-but-the-Palestinians-continue-to-incite-330763|access-date=11 January 2014|newspaper=Jerusalem Post}}

Israel was accused by Palestinian officials of trying to sabotage the peace talks by approving nearly 1200 new settlement homes shortly before the negotiations were due to start. Israeli settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev stated that these settlements would "remain part of Israel in any possible peace agreements."{{cite news|title=Israel names 26 Palestinian prisoners for release|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23662160|access-date=4 January 2014|work=BBC News|date=12 August 2013}}{{cite news|last=Abu Toameh|first=Khaled|title=Abbas says peace with Israel will be brought to a referendum for Palestinians 'everywhere|url=http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Abbas-says-peace-with-Israel-will-be-brought-to-a-referendum-for-Palestinians-everywhere-325023|access-date=4 January 2014|newspaper=Jerusalem Post}}

The British Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt said: "We condemn the recent decisions taken by the Israeli authorities to advance plans for 1096 settlement units in the West Bank, and to approve the construction of 63 new units in East Jerusalem. Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, undermine trust and threaten the viability of the two-state solution."{{cite news|title=Foreign Office Minister condemns Israeli settlement announcement|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-office-minister-condemns-israeli-settlement-announcement|access-date=4 January 2014|work=Gov.UK}}

On 13 August, Israel approved another 900 settler homes in East Jerusalem in addition to the 1,200 settlements announced on the 10th.{{cite news|title=Israel approves 900 additional homes in East Jerusalem|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-approves-900-additional-homes-in-east-jerusalem/|access-date=4 January 2014|date=12 August 2013}} On 30 October, Israel stated it would go ahead with plans to build 3,500 more homes for settlers.{{cite news|last=Abu Ganeyeh|first=Mohammed|title=Israel pushes plans for 3,500 settler homes after prisoners freed|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-palestinians-israel-idUSBRE99T1HH20131030|access-date=4 January 2014|work=Reuters|date=30 October 2013}} Netanyahu then said "any further settlement construction may stir unnecessary clashes with the international community".{{cite news|last=Somfalvi|first=Attila|title=PMO: PM slammed housing minister for settlement plans|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4452809,00.html|access-date=4 January 2014|newspaper=Ynet News}}

{{portal|Israel|Palestine}}

• 2014 Fatah–Hamas Gaza Agreement
• 2014 kidnapping and murder of Israeli teenagers
• Kidnapping and murder of Mohammed Abu Khdeir
• 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict

{{Reflist}}

{{cite web|title=The Middle East Peace Process|url=http://www.kas.de/wf/doc/kas_35215-1522-2-30.pdf?130821110309|access-date=16 August 2013}}

{{cite web|title=The Israeli-Palestinian Peace Negotiations - What's next?|url=http://www.kas.de/wf/doc/kas_37535-544-2-30.pdf?140422155306|access-date=15 February 2016}}

{{2014 Gaza War}}

{{Israeli-Palestinian Conflict}}

{{Arab-Israeli diplomacy}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2013 Israeli-Palestinian peace talks}}

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