By: Jimmy Xiao
AMMAN, JORDAN: On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced that Israel was willing to release a select number of Palestinian prisoners in order to lessen the tension between the two countries. Kerry has been working to convince both parties to negotiate a truce within the next few weeks.
Conflict initially arose when Israel failed to accept borders established in 1967, and continued to expand into those sensitive regions. The country’s refusal to stop, explained Kerry, could very well lead to war. Palestinian officials are currently expressing distrust over Israel’s gesture and ultimate talks of a peace, but Kerry remains hopeful that Israeli and Palestinian states can exist without conflict.
“[Leaders of both nations] have courageously recognized that in order for Israelis and Palestinians to live together side by side in peace and security, they must begin by sitting at the table together in direct talks,” he said.