United States Secretary of State John Kerry departed Israel on Tuesday as details of a newly devised deal between Israel and the Palestinian Authority emerge.
Sources from both sides of the negotiating table have confirmed that the release of imprisoned spy Jonathan Pollard will be part of the deal. Israel has reportedly already agreed to the deal and is awaiting a response from the Palestinian Authority.
Here is what you need to know about the latest deal:
- Jonathan Pollard is would be released in the next two weeks. The deadline for his release would be before the beginning of Passover which begins on sundown on April 14.
- Peace negotiations would extend into 2015.
- The Palestinian Authority would agree to stop any diplomatic warfare against Israel, including their campaign to gain international recognition.
- Israel would release the fourth batch of Palestinian terrorist prisoners. The 26 prisoners were convicted of terror before the 1993 Oslo Accords. A small number of Israeli-Arabs will be among the released.
- Throughout the extended negotiation period, Israel will commit to releasing an additional 400 Palestinian prisoners. Those released will be picked via Israeli discretion and will most likely include a majority of women and minors. Israel has already stated it would not release those with “blood on their hands.”
- Israel would impose a partial settlement construction freeze. Israel will “exercise restraint” in granting approval to the construction of new homes in the West Bank. No new governmental approval for construction in Judea and Samaria will be granted. The freeze would not apply to Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem beyond the Green Line, and public building projects.
Acceptance of the deal is pending cabinet approval.
