WASHINGTON (JTA) — Martin Indyk, the top U.S. Middle East peace negotiator, has expanded his team as the United States encourages Israelis and Palestinians to address core issues in their talks.
Al-Monitor, a Middle East news site, reported Tuesday that Indyk’s negotiating team has grown from two — including himself — when he took the job in July to six, and is seeking others.
Indyk and his boss, Secretary of State John Kerry, have kept the talks under wraps, but in recent weeks said they are encouraging the sides to advance from preliminary to core issues, including borders, Jerusalem and the status of the descendants of Palestinian refugees.
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators met Monday for the eighth round of talks since they were restarted in July.
