Israel Serious about Middle East Peace Negotiations: Obama

Urging Israelis and Palestinians to restart direct peace talks before expiry of a settlement freeze in September, US President Barack Obama has said that he believes Israel is serious about making progress in Middle East peace negotiations, reported BBC.

He made the statement while speaking after a meeting in the White House with the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

“I believe Prime Minister Netanyahu wants peace. I think he is willing to take risks for peace,” Obama was quoted as saying.

Israeli PM Netanyahu said that it was ‘high time’ for direct talks, report said.

The two leaders also downplayed any suggestion of a rift between the US and Israel with Obama saying that the bond between the two countries is ‘unbreakable’, said report.

Besides, the US President admired Israel for declaring that it would ease its Gaza Strip blockade, reports said.

Obama said that he hoped direct peace talks would resume ‘well before’ Israel’s 10-month moratorium on building new settlements in the West Bank expired at the end of September, said report.

Netanyahu said that steps were being taken in the coming days and weeks to further the peace process, but he gave no further details, report said.

The Palestinians withdrew from direct negotiations after Israel launched the Operation Cast Lead offensive in Gaza in late 2008.

Scheduled indirect talks were called off in March this year when Israel approved plans for 1,600 homes in East Jerusalem, where the Palestinians want the capital of their future state.

(Based on internet reports)