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Kerry will find pessimism in Palestine

On an upcoming visit to the region, US Secretary of State John Kerry will find that the Palestinians have little faith in the ongoing peace talks
Sign posts are seen in front of the West Bank Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim near Jerusalem November 13, 2013. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Wednesday his peace negotiators had resigned over the lack of progress in U.S.-brokered statehood talks clouded by Israeli settlement building. REUTERS/Ammar Awad (WEST BANK - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX15BNL

When US Secretary of State John Kerry visits the region this week, he is certain to find Palestinian expectations at an all-time low regarding any possible breakthrough in the peace talks with Israel. The dual resignations of Mohammad Shtayyeh and Saeb Erekat (who later rescinded his) reflect the Palestinians' general lack of faith in the negotiations, but also their desire not to burn any bridges, just in case.

More than halfway through the nine-month commitment to talks, the negotiations aim of producing a final package means that nothing will be agreed to until everything is agreed to. Not a single disputed issue can be checked off as being resolved along the way. Both sides will likely cling to their position on every controversial area until the very last minute.

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