U.S. mediators try to rescue Mideast peace talks

March 30, 2014 at 9:54 a.m.

by The Associated Press

Israeli border police officers react after spraying pepper spray during a demonstration marking the Land Day at the Damascus gate in Jerusalem's old city, Sunday, March 30, 2014. The Land Day commemorates the Israeli government expropriation of thousands of dunams of land from Palestinians in 1976.
Israeli border police officers react after spraying pepper spray during a demonstration marking the Land Day at the Damascus gate in Jerusalem's old city, Sunday, March 30, 2014. The Land Day commemorates the Israeli government expropriation of thousands of dunams of land from Palestinians in 1976.

JERUSALEM — American mediators are in urgent talks with Israeli and Palestinian officials in hopes of salvaging troubled Mideast peace talks.

The negotiations have hit a snag in recent days due to disagreements over the terms of an Israeli prisoner release.

The Palestinians say that Israel committed to release the prisoners when talks resumed last summer. Israel says the Palestinians have not been negotiating in good faith. It wants assurances that the Palestinians will commit to extending talks beyond a current April deadline before it frees the prisoners.

Israeli and Palestinian officials said they were in touch with American mediators on Sunday in search of a formula to extend the talks. Secretary of State John Kerry, who is in Paris, was also considering returning to the region.


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