BICOM

In a conference call with US Jewish communal leaders, US special envoy to the peace talks, Martin Indyk revealed more details regarding the framework plan for final status talks being developed by US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Several media reports say that Indyk indicated there would be “no surprises” for Israeli or Palestinian leaders in the plan once it is published in the coming weeks. He said that both sides would be expected to accept the plan with reservations, as a basis for negotiations towards concluding a final status accord by the year’s end.

Apparently, Indyk outlined that the plan would address mutual recognition, security, land swaps and borders, Jerusalem, refugees and the end of conflict and all claims. He reportedly said that under the framework, 75-80 per cent of West Bank settlers would remain under Israeli sovereignty owing to land swaps and that it was his impression that Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas is not entirely opposed to settlers remaining in a Palestinian state, an issue of great contention within the Israeli government this week.

Apparently, the framework plan will also address issues highlighted by Israeli leaders, including reference to Israel as “the nation state of the Jewish people,” in line with Israeli insistence that the PA recognise Israel as a characteristically Jewish state. It will also cover Palestinian incitement and address compensation for Jews who were expelled from Arab lands following the establishment of the State of Israel.

Haaretz reports that an unnamed PA official has said that if Kerry’s framework plan includes a stipulation “to recognise Israel as a Jewish state alongside a vague formulation of the right of return,” then it “cannot be a basis for any outline that could lead to an agreement.” Meanwhile, writing in Sof Hashavua, Ben Caspit says that Kerry is considering delivering an address directly to the Israeli public to shore up popular support for a peace agreement.