By Michael Wilner, JPost—
The Trump administration has begun laying the groundwork for talks between Israelis and Palestinians, sharing elements of the plan with partners in the region ahead of an anticipated rollout after Israel’s April 9 elections, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday.
Speaking via video link to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the secretary said that there is a path forward for the administration to bring Israelis and Palestinians together. That is despite a breakdown in relations between Washington and Ramallah ever since US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital one year ago.
Peace talks will not be “driven” by the US, but by Israelis and Palestinians themselves, Pompeo said. But he did reference a US-led process that could launch after Israelis go to the polls.
Other senior administration officials have hinted at a delay in releasing the plan past Israel’s elections, despite Trump’s stated goal of publishing the plan by the end of this month. Continue Reading….