The refusal thus far of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to release the last batch of 30 long-term Palestinian prisoners indicates that Israel, as suspected, seeks to dictate the terms of whatever outcomes, if any, emerge from talks with the Palestinians. Prior to this development, the Israelis during the talks had presented the Palestinians with the additional condition of recognizing Israel as a Jewish state. The longer it takes for a US framework to be presented, the more likely Israel will continue to dictate conditions that render it impossible to reach a reasonable and just outcome acceptable to the Palestinian people.
In hindsight it is clear that prior to the resumption of negotiations, it was imperative that the United States obtain acknowledgment from Israel that it is an occupying power as defined by the Fourth Geneva Convention. Not securing this legal status as a means for a negotiated outcome has meant more creeping settlements and the continued shrinking of Palestinian territory in East Jerusalem.
