US ambassador: Refugees, Jerusalem, solvable problems in peace talks

Shapiro says all issues can be solved in 9 months, the time frame that John Kerry gave for resolving the disputes.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Dan Shapiro 370 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Dan Shapiro 370
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
US Ambassador Dan Shapiro was optimistic on Wednesday about the chances for success for the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in Washington DC that resumed after a three year hiatus, claiming that core issues such as Jerusalem and the right of return for refugees were "solvable."
Shapiro told Israel Radio that he was "not certain" that a final settlement would be reached between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in nine months, as predicted by US Secretary of State John Kerry, but he thought that this period provided enough time to solve all the disputes between the parties including borders, security, refugees, and Jerusalem.
Kerry made the remarks at a tri-party press conference marking the resumption of direct negotiations. He stood together with Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni.
"Clearly there is good reason to be skeptical because what we have seen in the past, but there is also reason for hope and a possibility of success and it is worthwhile for everyone to support the brave brave leaders who have taken this path," Shapiro told Israel Radio.