US Secretary of State John Kerry’s announcement of a “basis” for new talks has found Israelis and Palestinians both weary and wary. Weary from the repeated attempts to find a solution over two decades; wary from the failure of those attempts.
In Benjamin Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas, Mr Kerry is dealing with leaders who are profoundly circumspect about the prospects for breakthrough. There are low levels of trust across the table and both face constraints from home. But Kerry’s achievement in simply getting the sides talking again should not be underestimated.
In fact, Kerry has set the bar higher than getting to talks. Not content with the partial agreement on borders and security that President Obama had indicated as an aim for his second term, Kerry announced that the US administration now backs a comprehensive deal —bringing an agreed end to the conflict and the end of all claims between the two sides — within a nine-month time frame.
Three factors might work in his favour. Firstly, low expectations have led to a more muted opposition. While Hamas has denounced Abbas for returning to talks and Netanyahu’s coalition partners are watchful, neither man will have to face significant challenges to his leadership at present.
