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The sponsors of the Israel-Palestinian peace process, the US, Russia, the EU and the UN, ended their meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh Sunday, Nov. 9, with a statement of continued support for the parties efforts and a pledge to “respect the bilateral and confidential nature of the negotiations.” While Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni and Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas promised to keep on negotiating during the run-up to Israel’s election, DEBKAfile reports that the current lull – due to political changes in the US and Israel – is likely to continue until early next year.No agreement has been reached on the toughest issues of Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees and borders between Israel and a potential Palestinian state. The Palestinian side is holding out for a comprehensive accord at the end of the process instead of “bits and pieces,” while Israel insists on respect for its security concerns and no outside pressure. The negotiations led by outgoing prime minister Ehud Olmert and Livni have been conducted until now amid a media blackout, eliciting concerned questions in Israel about “how much they have given away in secret.”As in the days of Noah....
