Israel seeking to revive peace talks with Palestinians
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Xinhua, May 23, 2013
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told visiting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry Thursday that his country is seeking to revive peace talks with the Palestinians.
At the beginning of a meeting with Kerry, Netanyahu said "above all, we want to restart the peace talks with the Palestinians."
Kerry arrived in Israel on Thursday as part of the ongoing efforts exerted by the U.S. administration to bring the Israelis and the Palestinians back to the negotiations table.
"You have been working at it a great deal. We have been working at it together. It's something I want and you want... When there's a will, we'll find a way," Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu said the two sides are also set to discuss the issue of nuclear weapon in Iran and the instability in Syria.
For his part, Kerry said that he knows the region is filled with "skepticism" and "cynicism" and expressed his hope to change that.
"There have been bitter years of disappointment. It is our hope that by being methodical, patient and careful - but detailed and tenacious - that we can lay a path ahead that can conceivably surprise people and exhaust the possibilities for peace," Kerry added.
Earlier in the day, Israel's chief negotiator and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni told Israel Radio that Israel must push forward in its efforts to reach peace.
Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians came to a halt in 2010 over expansion of Israeli settlement in the West Bank.
The U.S. administration is leading hectic efforts to renew the peace process. This is Kerry's fourth visit to Israel in the past three months since he assumed office in February.
Kerry is expected to hold meetings with Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas later on Thursday.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)