Is the Middle East peace process on its last legs

Kerry might insist it's 'premature' to eulogize talks, but both sides seem adamant to foil any progress

Israeli-Palestinians peace process Tuesday neared total collapse as both sides announced controversial moves, in the midst of a frantic American attempt to salvage negotiations. But, known for its unwavering optimism, US Secretary of State John Kerry offered a silver lining late Tuesday when announcing that it was "completely premature" to write off Israeli-Palestinian peace process at this point.

Kerry, in Brussels, told reporters that Washington has every intention of continuing to push forward negotiations despite Israel's reissuing a tender for the construction of hundreds of new units in East Jerusalem, followed by Ramallah’s decision to formally apply for full membership in 15 international organizations of the United Nations.

"What is important to say about the Middle East right now is it is completely premature tonight to draw any kind of judgment, certainly any final judgment, about today’s events and where things are," Kerry said. "This is a moment to be really clear-eyed and sober about this process. It is difficult, it is emotional, it requires huge decisions, some of them with great political difficulty, all of which need to come together simultaneously."

Trying to put out the flames, the secretary added that while the perception may be that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has given up on peace talks, he has vowed to continue the talks until their deadline of late April.

"President Abbas has given his word to me that he will keep his agreement and that he intends to negotiate through the end of the month of April," Kerry stressed, adding, "I’m not going to get into the who, why, what, when, where, how of why we’re where we are today. We’re where we are today – and the important thing is to keep the process moving and find a way to see whether the parties are prepared to move forward. In the end, this is up to the parties."

Objections all around

Meanwhile, the American proposal, suggesting Israel would release more than 400 Palestinian prisoners and agree to a freeze in settlement construction in return for the release of convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard and a continuation of talks, has been bitterly opposed by many within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling right-wing coalition.

A number of government ministers and coalition members announced Tuesday they would not support a deal to free Palestinian prisoners – even if included Pollard.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ze'ev Elkin and Coalition Chairman Yariv Levin (Likud) described the deal as a "red line." Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz and Deputy Defense Minister Danny Dannon (Likud), reiterated that they would object to any deal that would include the release of Israel-Arabs. Tourism Minister Uzi Landau (Yisrael Beiteinu) has hinted he will also vote against the deal, saying the release of Pollard will only sugarcoat the cyanide pill, which is the Palestinian prisoners. Home Front Command Minister Gilad Erdan and Agriculture Minister Yair Shamir (Likud), will probably vote against the deal, as well.

HaBayit Yehudi party's ministers have kept their quiet on the issue, but past comments indicate they will vote against such a deal.

The American proposal weighs on President Barack Obama's administration, as well.

Republicans and Democrats on Tuesday criticized the administration's last-minute discussions with Netanyahu to offer up Pollard, in order to persuade the Israelis to make good on previous promises to release prisoners. They called it a sign of a White House desperate for a major foreign-policy success, the Wall Street Journal reported.

"Releasing Pollard, in the context of the current peace-process travails, is bad policy," said Aaron David Miller, a former adviser to Republican and Democratic secretaries of state. "It reflects the weakness and desperation of the administration that is presiding over a peace process not yet ready for prime time."

"I've followed this issue closely over the years. It's hard for me to see how releasing Jonathan Pollard would help jump-start Middle East peace talks," Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Democrat Dianne Feinstein said. "It's one thing to consider releasing him after an agreement has been reached, but it's another to discuss setting him free before that has happened."

In an MSNBC interview, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Republican Mike Rogers said: "I think this is a serious mistake, and it tells me the administration is at wits' end here. I think this is a horrible idea, I think it sends a horrible message."

Republican Senator John McCain said he did not agree with using Pollard as an enticement to move the peace process forward. "It's disgusting," McCain said. "I favor his release, I think he's served long enough, but to be used in this fashion, it's disgraceful."

Palestinians want Barghouti back

White House press secretary Jay Carney said Tuesday Obama has not made a decision on whether to release Pollard.

Pollard was arrested in Washington in 1985 and sentenced to life imprisonment for spying on America on Israel's behalf. He is eligible for parole next year.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday a member of the US Parole Commission said Pollard has even waived a planned parole hearing in light of his possible release as part of the deal.

The mere inclusion of Pollard in a possible deal also angered the Palestinians, who are enraged that jailed Palestinian leaders Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat, were not included, as well.

According to the Palestinian news agency Maan, Israel rejected Abbas' request that it free Fatah official Marwan Barghouti, Secretary-General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine Ahmad Sa'adat and Yasser Arafat's former aide Fuad Al-Shubkhi.