U.S. pessimistic Israeli-Palestinian framework deal can be reached by end of March

[Jefferson23]

Some of Obama’s top advisers are considering a dramatic all-or-nothing move, says senior Israeli official involved in talks.

WASHINGTON - The senior Israeli officials who visited the White House and the State Department Friday – including Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, opposition head MK Isaac Herzog and National Security Adviser Yossi Cohen – found their interlocutors preoccupied with the crisis in Ukraine.

The crisis in Crimea, which seems only to be at the beginning, will seemingly overshadow the visit of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House Monday.

Netanyahu, who in any case is critical of the American administration’s dealing with various crises worldwide, will certainly look on with amazement and concern over the weakness the Americans have shown so far vis-à-vis President Vladimir Putin.

Despite the crisis, attempts to achieve a framework agreement for peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians continue to fill a good part of the day of both President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.577324