AMMAN, Jordan — Two days of Mideast peace talks appear to have brought Israel and the Palestinians closer to a deal that would allow those talks to continue.
But even if the negotiations move forward far more difficult issues lay ahead.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak suggested a compromise over Israel’s plan to lift its partial ban on construction on the West Bank later this month, while Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday he sees no alternative to continuing negotiations in search of peace with Israel.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speaking in Amman, said she is convinced that Netanyahu and Abbas are trying to seek common ground.
“They are committed and they have begun to grapple with the hard but necessary questions,” she said, shortly before leaving for the U.S.
“I am convinced that this is the time and these are the leaders to achieve the result we all seek.”
Abbas’ comments came as Israel was coming under increasing pressure to extend its curb on Jewish settlement construction, and aides to the Palestinian leader suggested there might be movement toward a compromise on that issue.
Abbas had said previously that the talks could not survive if the Israeli building restrictions were lifted as planned.
“We all know there is no alternative to peace through negotiations, so we have no alternative other than to continue these efforts,” Abbas said Thursday, speaking through an interpreter in Ramallah, where the headquarters of the Palestinian National Authority is located.
It was unclear from Abbas’ remarks whether he was signalling that the Palestinians would remain committed to the talks even if Israel does not extend the limits on building.
Egypt’s leader said in a radio interview that he urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to extend the restrictions for three more months to give peacemaking a chance.
Mubarak said he told Netanyahu the delay could give the two sides time to draft their future borders. After those lines are agreed, Mubarak reasoned, Israel can build within its future borders and the Palestinians within theirs.
The United States has also encouraged Israel to extend its West Bank building limits.
Netanyahu’s office said Thursday that Israel doesn’t plan to extend the current limits, which are due to expire in late September.
But Israeli officials said they hoped to reach a compromise well before the current restrictions expire on Sept. 26 in hopes of avoiding a major crisis. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because no formal decisions have been made.
Aides to Abbas said no deal had been reached on the settlement issue, but said they accept Mubarak’s proposal and expect that a compromise will be found. Previously, the Palestinians have said they would walk out on the talks if any construction resumes.
The aides spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing a sensitive diplomatic matter.