What is the point of further Palestine-Israel talks?

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas smiles during a meeting with the Norwegian foreign minister in the West Bank city of Ramallah on September 8, 2016. (AFP)

The Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has agreed to direct talks with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu in Russia.

Russia, which is currently taking a much more prominent role in the Middle East – and is perceived by many as trying to replace the US as the central foreign power in the region – has since 2005 expressed an interest in hosting Israeli-Palestinian talks. We discussed with our guests what is the point of further Israel/ Palestine talks and will it make a difference that the talks are being hosted in Moscow.

Salma Karmi Ayyoub explained that Palestinians have grown tired of endless talks with no end outcome and that these talks could simply be used by president Abbas to prove his legitimacy and to show the Palestinians that he is actively doing something.

She expressed concerns that the talks, often strengthens Israel's position whilst the Palestinians gain nothing. Salma explained that because of the illegitimacy of Abbas and the history of failed peace processes in the past that the Palestinians are right not to be particularly enthusiastic about these proposed talks.

Nasim Ahmed shared many of the same thoughts as Salma and argued that with some much going on in the Middle East that the Palestinian question has taken a back seat and is no longer prioritized by the international community. Ultimately meaning, that there will be even less pressure on the Israelis to negotiate a reasonable settlement with the Palestinians. 

Nasim was positive about the talks being led by Moscow as they are not hostage to Israeli lobbies like Washington is; which, will mean that they will much fairer facilitators of Palestine-Israel peace talks.


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