April 21, 2011

UN urges bold steps to relaunch Mideast peace talks

European countries believe Palestinians could drop push for UN recognition if 'parameters' for fresh peace talks announced; Diplomats said they hope Obama might do so.

Haaretz Service via Reuters

http://www.jewishjournal.com/ world/article/un_urges_bold_steps_to_relaunch_mideast_peace_talks_20110421/

The United Nations called on Thursday for “bold and decisive steps” to relaunch the Israeli-Palestinian peace process as the region awaits a possible new initiative by U.S. President Barack Obama.

UN political chief Lynn Pascoe and ambassadors of key Security Council countries said it was important to break the deadlock soon as a proclaimed September deadline for reaching an agreement draws closer.

Peace talks opened last September with the aim of an accord in one year but quickly broke down after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to extend a partial freeze on Jewish settlement building in the occupied West Bank.