U.S. presses on with Middle East talks rescue attempt

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* Talks in crisis over prisoners, treaty signings * "Gaps remain" as two sides meet for second day * Public apathetic, more concerned with poverty (Adds State Department comment on Monday session, paragraph 5) By Jeffrey Heller JERUSALEM, April 7 (Reuters) - U.S. efforts to save Middle East peace talks from collapse showed little sign of progress on Monday amid threats from Israel to retaliate for what it saw as unilateral Palestinian moves towards statehood. The U.S.-brokered negotiations plunged into crisis last week after Israel, demanding a Palestinian commitment to continue talking after the end of the month, failed to carry out a promised release of about two dozen Palestinian prisoners. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas responded by signing 15 global treaties, including the Geneva Conventions on the conduct of war and occupations, on behalf of the State of Palestine, a defiant move that surprised Washington and angered Israel. In a statement later about the Monday meeting, she said: "Gaps remain but both sides are committed to narrow the gaps." Secretary of State John Kerry signalled on Friday he may scale back his intense mediating efforts due to "unhelpful actions" by Israel and the Palestinians, saying it was time for a "reality check" and Washington would re-evaluate its role.

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