Middle East peace hangs in the balance today after Israel suspended intensive eleventh hour negotiations with the Palestinians following the murder of two Israelis in the West Bank.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak recalled his top negotiators from the talks in Taba, Egypt late yesterday for morning consultations that would determine whether Israel continues the push for peace less than two weeks before prime ministerial elections on February 6.
"We cannot let the wretched murderers kill our peace process," Israeli negotiator Justice Minister Yossi Beilin said after putting his bags in the car to the airport. Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Korei said his team was sticking around at the venue for now, but would also be weighing whether to return to the negotiating table.
Reuters
