The Heat: Middle East peace prospects

The Heat

The Heat: Middle East peace prospects

It’s been several years since the breakdown of talks between Palestinians and Israelis. Now come two new initiatives. But can they reignite prospects for peace?

Hopes for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are in “serious danger”, according to France’s Foreign Minister.

The comments were made last month at a conference attended by more than 20 countries aimed at reviving the long stalled peace process. Israel was quick to reject the effort – saying that the best way to resolve the conflict is through direct, bilateral negotiations with the Palestinians.

Fast forward to earlier this month when Egypt’s Foreign Minister visited Israel for the first time in nine years – bringing with him a new peace initiative, which had been greeted with more enthusiasm by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

CCTV’s Stephanie Freid in Tel Aviv and Adel El-Mahrouky in Cairo report on the situation.

Tonight’s panel takes a look at the tensions and the prospect of peace in the region:

  • Amotz Asa-El, senior commentator with the Jerusalem Post
  • Laila El-Haddad, author, commentator and advisor to the Palestinian Policy Network
  • Hamoud Salhi, expert on the Middle East, and associate dean at California State University, Dominguez Hills