U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Ambassador to France's residence in Paris, March 30, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Jacquelyn Martin/Pool
John Kerry Returns To Middle East With Peace Talks Close To Crisis -- The Guardian
US trying to convince Palestinians to prolong talks beyond deadline and Israel to release fourth tranche of prisoners
The US secretary of state, John Kerry, was flying back to the Middle East for the second time in a week on Monday as the latest round of peace negotiations with Israeli and Palestinian leaders appeared to have reached a make-or-break point.
Amid a flurry of intense diplomatic contacts in Jerusalem, state department officials announced that Kerry was flying to Tel Aviv from Paris and would arrive in the region on Monday evening.
According to the officials, Kerry spoke with leaders from both sides as well as with the White House before deciding to travel. "After consulting with his team, secretary Kerry decided it would be productive to return to the region," said the state department spokesperson Jen Psaki.
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More News On U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry Traveling To The Middle East To Save The Peace Talks
Kerry in critical bid for Middle East peace -- Al Jazeera
Kerry to Visit Israel for Middle East Talks -- New York Times
Kerry returns to Mideast as peace talks falter -- Al Jazeera
Kerry returns to Israel after Paris talks -- Global Post/AFP
Kerry Heads to Israel in Peace Talk Push -- Voice of America
Kerry heads to Israel for Mideast peace talks -- CNN
Kerry Heads to Mideast as Peace Talks Founder Over Prisoners -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Kerry arrives in Mideast in bid to seal Israel-Palestinian talks -- Haaretz
Palestinians reject proposal to extend talks -- Al Bawaba
Palestinian official: If Israel won't free prisoners, PA won't extend peace talks -- Jerusalem Post
Kerry to Mideast at critical point in peace talks -- The State/AP
My Comment: Everyone in the Middle East knows what U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is doing .... he is pushing the process but avoiding the hard core compromises and issues that need to be covered and addressed. Unfortunately .... there always comes a day when everyone must say yes or no for such talks to continue .... and that day is rapidly approaching.
Update: U.S. could free Israeli spy in deal to save peace talks: source close to talks -- Reuters