US Secretary of State John Kerry is smiling for he has managed that which only a few weeks ago seemed highly unlikely, if not impossible. For US President Barak Obama the resumption of diplomatic talks between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority) on American soil will provide invaluable photos ops as US leaders yearn to mimic the scene at the White House on September 13, 1993, when then President Bill Clinton orchestrated the signing of the Oslo Agreement – leading to Noble Peace Prizes for all the participants.

While Obama has a Noble Prize under his belt, he would like to see his second term in office marked with such a success, permitting history to view him as the Mideast peacemaker – the man who succeeded with others failed.

The talks, which will get underway in Washington on Monday night 22 Menachem Av 5773 local time, will mark the beginning of a nine-month negotiating process. PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) agreed that during this period, there will be no PA appeals to the United Nations or International Court of Justice in The Hague. The core issues will be discussed in the hope of achieving the goal – which is a declaration marking the end of hostilities between Israel and the PA; the signing of a final status agreement; and a cessation of demands from one side of the other.

In actuality, the nine months, if successful, will be the birthing period of the State of Palestine, the vision that began with master terrorist Yasser Arafat YS”VZ, and inherited by Abu Mazen, who today represents the “moderates” according to Israel and the USA.

Israel is saving face by the fact it did not agree to preconditions demanding the Palestinian state would be premised on the pre-June 1967 boundaries, at least not publically. There are reports that Prime Minister Netanyahu gave Kerry a document in secret. In addition, Israel has not agreed to a construction freeze in Yehuda and Shomron. Understandably, there is little mention of the agreement to release 104 terrorists.

These terrorists, all serving prison terms since prior to the signing of Oslo will be released in four stages. The first group is expected to be released by month’s end, followed by another release every two months during the negotiating process.

In an effort to persuade his cabinet to support the release, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu had to promise that regarding the 15 Israeli Arab terrorists slated for release, they would be in the final group and another cabinet meeting would be held to discuss their release.

Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon explained “we must choose between bad and worse”, but refused to vote to release Israeli Arab citizens too.

The ministerial committee headed by the prime minister will decide on the identities of those tapped for release. Other committee members include ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) Director Yoram Cohen, who by the way objected to the release but admitted by doing so, there is an “effect” on calming the atmosphere throughout Yehuda and Shomron.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)