An agreement to continue peace talks between Israel and Palestine into 2015 hinged on the release of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard, officials said Tuesday. They added the agreement is near and will likely involve the release of Pollard, an American with Israel citizenship who was convicted of passing classified information to Israel in 1987. His release has long been supported by current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The proposed agreement would include the release of as many as 400 Palestinians from Israeli jails, and a freeze on construction in the West Bank settlements, the New York Times reported Tuesday. Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met Monday, and into Tuesday morning, in Jerusalem, arranging the details of the emerging deal, which would require approval by U.S. President Barack Obama and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The prisoner release would also require a vote by the Israeli cabinet. "There is an emerging deal. It's not finalized, it's emerging," said an unidentified senior State Department official. He added the plan calls for Pollard to be released before Passover, which this year occurs on Apr. 14, and for Israel to show "restraint" in building its West Bank settlements, which most of the world views as illegal. Palestine, in turn, would not attempt to join the United Nations and other international agencies, including the International Criminal Court, efforts opposed by Israel and the United States.
GMT 01:15 2018 Wednesday ,24 January
Bollywood actor gets engaged to long-time girlfriendGMT 08:31 2018 Monday ,22 January
Candypants appoints JPR Media GroupGMT 23:09 2018 Saturday ,20 January
Famed photographer Mario Testino accusedGMT 22:22 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Lebanon bans Spielberg film and adventurer biopicGMT 19:44 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Michael Douglas, James Franco denyGMT 19:39 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Hollywood gets party season startedGMT 11:08 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Facebook agrees to widen probe of Brexit vote fake newsGMT 15:30 2018 Monday ,15 January
George Clooney to make TV return for 'Catch-22' miniseriesMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor