Israel-Palästina

[Nightwatch]

US: Settlements no precondition on Mideast talks

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley says main US goal is to relaunch Israeli-Palestinian negotiations; 'they will decide for themselves on contours of peace deal,' he adds

The United States indicated Friday that its calls on Israel to freeze settlements were not a precondition for restarting Middle East peace talks, as the Jewish state held firm in its refusal.

President Barack Obama's administration insisted it was not changing its stance, which has caused friction with the close US ally, that Israel halt all settlements in the West Bank and in east Jerusalem.

But State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said the main US goal was to relaunch talks between Israel and the Palestinians, who will decide for themselves on the contours of a peace deal.

"The United States position on settlements, we've said it many times, we haven't changed it," Crowley said.
But he added: "The key here is getting to the negotiations."

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Netanjahu: 1 Obama: 0

:lol: