Can Israel-Palestinian Negotiations Begin when Joe Biden Takes Office?

Pinhas Inbari, December 28, 2020

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas welcomed Vice President Joe Biden to his Ramallah office, March 2016. (Palestinian press)

As Joe Biden’s inauguration and entry into the White House near, speculation grows over the nature of the “peace process negotiations” the United States will choose to conduct between Israel and the Palestinians. However, after examining Palestinians’ comments and attitudes, it is not at all clear whether they even desire a new process. Perhaps they prefer to retain the current process – the status quo – and do not wish to change anything about it. For example, the Palestinian Authority has expressed interest in an international conference under the guardianship of the “Quartet” – the UN, United States, European Union, and Russia. No longer would the United States lead the talks as in the days…