BICOM

Direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian representatives took place yesterday evening after a three-year hiatus in negotiations.

US Secretary of State John Kerry initially met separately with each delegation, first greeting Israel’s Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s envoy Yitzchak Molcho. Kerry then met Palestinian negotiators Saeb Erekat and Mohammad Shtayyeh before bringing both delegations together over dinner to mark the Iftar meal breaking the Ramadan fast.

Speaking to Reuters Television before yesterday’s talks, Minister Livni said that “There is some hope… It is going to be complicated I am sure.” She emphasised that an agreement is necessary “because it’s an Israeli interest. It’s not a favour to the United States or the Palestinians – this is something that we need to do.” In a separate interview with AP, she commented, “There is a lot of cynicism and scepticism and pessimism but there is also hope.”

President Obama also released a statement ahead of the talks, indicating a growing involvement in the process, saying “The most difficult work of these negotiations is ahead…I am hopeful that both the Israelis and Palestinians will approach these talks in good faith.”

Although few details of yesterday’s meeting were revealed, US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki commented that the two sides “have agreed to a timetable” of nine-month talks although she clarified “it is not a deadline.” Discussions will continue between the two sides today over the parameters of peace talks, which Maariv says includes the framework, agenda and process of the negotiations ahead.

Just before the talks began, Kerry announced that Martin Indyk will head the United States’ delegation during the peace talks. Indyk served twice as the US Ambassador to Israel and was also the Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs in the Clinton Administration. His appointment was widely expected, but confirmed only yesterday.