Kerry: Israel, Palestinians Must Make 'Reasonable Compromises'
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators sat down together at dinner night in Washington as they get set to hold the first direct peace talks in three years.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry hosted the meal after urging both sides to make "reasonable compromises" in their talks.
Kerry called the issues at stake tough, complicated, emotional and symbolic. But he said the consequences of not trying could be worse.
Justice Minister Tzipi Livni will negotiate for Israel while chief negotiator Saeb Erekat will represent the Palestinians.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk will represent the State Department. He says he will do his best to achieve President Barack Obama's vision of two states living side by side in peace and security.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki says Israel and the Palestinians have agreed to hold direct negotiations for at least nine months. But she says this is not a deadline and that the talks will not automatically stop after that period.
Irsaeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to free 104 Palestinian prisoners as a condition to restart the talks. Israeli media says the prisoners include Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks against Israeli civilians and security forces.
Ultranationalist Israeli Cabinet ministers say freeing the prisoners would be a reward for terrorism. But Mr. Netanyahu told his ministers the decision was difficult for him and the families of those killed, but necessary to renew the peace process.
Source: Voice of America
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