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Anshel Pfeffer

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Anshel Pfeffer,

Anshel Pfeffer

Analysis

How Putin became a go-to 'peacemaker'

September 8, 2016 10:21
Filling a US-sized vacuum: Putin
1 min read

No date has yet been set for a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Moscow and, even if it does take place, it is unlikely to yield a diplomatic breakthrough.

Despite this, unusually positive noises are emanating from both Jerusalem and Ramallah regarding the possibility of such a meeting.

The last public sit-down between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders was six years ago, although there have been unconfirmed reports of secret meetings, a few telephone calls and, last year at the Paris climate summit, they shook hands.

It has been two and a half years since the breakdown of the most recent round of talks, and the reasons for the ongoing impasse have not changed. Mr Abbas is still standing by the Palestinians' demands for a settlement freeze and the release of prisoners before they resume talks - and Mr Netanyahu is not in a position to agree to such demands with his current coalition's complexion.