Palestinian-Israeli peace process needs kiss of life

The unpleasant exchanges on Tuesday at the United Nations Security Council between United States and Palestinian representatives was just another indication of how difficult the Middle East peace process may become.

As US UN ambassador Nikki Haley acknowledged, at the root of the present impasse was the White House's December announcement that the United States considers Jerusalem to be Israel's capital and will move its embassy there.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' appeal for a new, broader framework for negotiations for Palestinian statehood derived from disappointment, which was understandable given the Palestinian Authority's otherwise high hopes for a breakthrough under the US presidency of Donald Trump.