Palestinians hold pictures of Pope Francis and Palestinian prisoners during a demonstration to call for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails and to support prisoners who have been on hunger strike, in the West Bank town of Nablus. (file

Israeli bill could complicate future peace talks

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JERUSALEM - Israel's Cabinet has approved a bill that could complicate future Palestinian prisoner releases.  The bill approved Sunday would allow Israeli courts to block the pardon of prisoners convicted of murder. Critics say that will limit Israel's room to maneuver in negotiations. The bill still needs to be approved by parliament. Prisoner releases have been central to Israel's negotiations...

In this Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012 file photo A Jewish settler looks at the West bank settlement of Maaleh Adumim, from the E-1 area on the eastern outskirts of Jerusalem.

Israeli proposal detailed in talks

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, RAMALLAH - Israel has proposed leaving intact dozens of Jewish settlements and military bases in the West Bank as part of a package to establish a Palestinian state in provisional borders, a Palestinian official told The Associated Press on Wednesday, in the first detailed glimpse at recently relaunched peace talks. The official said the proposal is unacceptable to the...