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Israeli PM on Palestinian Peace Talks: 'Let's Get On With It'

   VOA News 11 August 2010
   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Photo: AP

   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

   Israeli  Prime  Minister  Benjamin  Netanyahu  has  told visiting U.S.
   Middle  East  envoy  George  Mitchell  that Israel is ready for direct
   peace talks with the Palestinians.
   Speaking to reporters before their meeting in Jerusalem Wednesday, Mr.
   Netanyahu called for talks without preconditions, saying "let's get on
   with it."
   Mitchell told the Israeli prime minister that the U.S. shares Israel's
   objectives, and will continue to work with Israel's leaders as well as
   Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
   Mitchell  failed  Tuesday  to  persuade  Mr. Abbas to engage in direct
   talks  with  Israel.  The Palestinian leader wants agreement first on
   the agenda and timeline for the negotiations.
   The  Palestinians  also  are  demanding a freeze on Israeli settlement
   construction on land the Palestinians want for a future state.
   The    Obama    administration    has    been   pushing   for   direct
   Israeli-Palestinian  talks  to resume early next month.  Direct talks
   between  Mr.  Abbas  and  Mr.  Netanyahu's predecessor, former Israeli
   Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, broke off in December 2008.

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