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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Israeli-Palestinian peace talks: Nine-month deal goal | Israeli-Palestinian peace talks: Nine-month deal goal |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Israeli and Palestinian negotiators will aim to reach a "final status" agreement over the next nine months to end their long conflict, the US secretary of state has said. | Israeli and Palestinian negotiators will aim to reach a "final status" agreement over the next nine months to end their long conflict, the US secretary of state has said. |
| John Kerry said another meeting between the two sides would be held in either Israel or the Palestinian territories in the next two weeks. | John Kerry said another meeting between the two sides would be held in either Israel or the Palestinian territories in the next two weeks. |
| This, he said, would begin the process of formal negotiations. | This, he said, would begin the process of formal negotiations. |
| Mr Kerry said "all issues" would be on the table for discussion. | Mr Kerry said "all issues" would be on the table for discussion. |
| "They are on the table with one simple goal: a view to ending the conflict, ending the claims." | "They are on the table with one simple goal: a view to ending the conflict, ending the claims." |
| Mr Kerry said the parties were committed to "sustained, continuous and substantive negotiations on the core issues" that divided them. | Mr Kerry said the parties were committed to "sustained, continuous and substantive negotiations on the core issues" that divided them. |
| He was speaking at a news briefing after two days of talks between the two sides in Washington DC. | He was speaking at a news briefing after two days of talks between the two sides in Washington DC. |
| 'Courageous leadership' | 'Courageous leadership' |
| Earlier, US President Barack Obama met the Israeli and Palestinian negotiators - Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and lead Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat - at the White House. | Earlier, US President Barack Obama met the Israeli and Palestinian negotiators - Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and lead Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat - at the White House. |
| "I know the path is difficult. There is no shortage of passionate sceptics. But with capable, respected negotiators... I am convinced that we can get there," Mr Kerry said. | "I know the path is difficult. There is no shortage of passionate sceptics. But with capable, respected negotiators... I am convinced that we can get there," Mr Kerry said. |
| He reported that the meetings in Washington had been "constructive and positive". | He reported that the meetings in Washington had been "constructive and positive". |
| And he praised the "courageous leadership" shown by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to get to this point. | And he praised the "courageous leadership" shown by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to get to this point. |
| At the same briefing, Mr Erekat, said he was "delighted" that all issues would be tackled. | At the same briefing, Mr Erekat, said he was "delighted" that all issues would be tackled. |
| "Palestinians have suffered enough... It's time for the Palestinians to live in peace, freedom and dignity within their own independent sovereign state." | "Palestinians have suffered enough... It's time for the Palestinians to live in peace, freedom and dignity within their own independent sovereign state." |
| Ms Livni said that after years of stalemate she was hopeful - though not naive: | Ms Livni said that after years of stalemate she was hopeful - though not naive: |
| "It is our task to work together so that we can transform that spark of hope into something real and lasting. | "It is our task to work together so that we can transform that spark of hope into something real and lasting. |
| "I believe that history is not made by cynics. It is made by realists who are not afraid to dream. And let us be those people." | "I believe that history is not made by cynics. It is made by realists who are not afraid to dream. And let us be those people." |
| UK Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed the announcement, adding that "2013 must be the decisive year for peace". | |
| The peace talks between the two sides began again on Monday following a three-year hiatus after Israel approved the release of more than 100 Palestinian prisoners. | The peace talks between the two sides began again on Monday following a three-year hiatus after Israel approved the release of more than 100 Palestinian prisoners. |
| In the last five months, Mr Kerry has made six official visits to the Middle East in an effort to restart the negotiations. | In the last five months, Mr Kerry has made six official visits to the Middle East in an effort to restart the negotiations. |
| A former US ambassador to Israel, Martin Indyk, has been appointed US special envoy to the talks. | A former US ambassador to Israel, Martin Indyk, has been appointed US special envoy to the talks. |
| The seasoned diplomat played a key role in the failed Camp David talks of 2000 under former President Bill Clinton. | The seasoned diplomat played a key role in the failed Camp David talks of 2000 under former President Bill Clinton. |
| Referendum | Referendum |
| The issue of settlement-building halted the last direct talks in September 2010. Settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this. | The issue of settlement-building halted the last direct talks in September 2010. Settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this. |
| On Sunday, the Israeli cabinet approved the release of 104 long-term Palestinian prisoners by 13 votes to seven. | On Sunday, the Israeli cabinet approved the release of 104 long-term Palestinian prisoners by 13 votes to seven. |
| The inmates are to be released in four stages over a number of months, linked to progress in the peace process. | The inmates are to be released in four stages over a number of months, linked to progress in the peace process. |
| Their identities have not been published, but according to reports they include those who have killed Israelis or Palestinian informers. | Their identities have not been published, but according to reports they include those who have killed Israelis or Palestinian informers. |
| Sunday's cabinet meeting was delayed by an hour as Mr Netanyahu sought support for his proposal. | Sunday's cabinet meeting was delayed by an hour as Mr Netanyahu sought support for his proposal. |
| The cabinet also approved a draft bill requiring a referendum for any peace agreement with the Palestinians that involves territorial concessions. | The cabinet also approved a draft bill requiring a referendum for any peace agreement with the Palestinians that involves territorial concessions. |
| Mr Netanyahu's office said it was important that every citizen voted directly on such decisions. | Mr Netanyahu's office said it was important that every citizen voted directly on such decisions. |