This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23386162

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Israel and Palestinians reach agreement to resume talks Israel and Palestinians reach agreement to resume talks
(35 minutes later)
Israel and the Palestinians have reached an agreement which establishes the basis for resuming peace talks, US Secretary of State John Kerry has announced.Israel and the Palestinians have reached an agreement which establishes the basis for resuming peace talks, US Secretary of State John Kerry has announced.
Mr Kerry is in Jordan, where he has been meeting with both sides. Mr Kerry was speaking in Jordan, after meeting with both sides earlier.
He gave no details of the agreement, but said both sides would hold initial talks in Washington next week.He gave no details of the agreement, but said both sides would hold initial talks in Washington next week.
The last round of direct talks broke down two years ago over the issue of Israeli settlements. The last round of direct talks broke down more than two years ago over the issue of Israeli settlements.
Mr Kerry told reporters in Amman that the parties had "reached an agreement that establishes a basis for resuming direct final status negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis."Mr Kerry told reporters in Amman that the parties had "reached an agreement that establishes a basis for resuming direct final status negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis."
"This is a significant and welcome step forward," he said, but stressed that it was still "in the process of being formalised"."This is a significant and welcome step forward," he said, but stressed that it was still "in the process of being formalised".
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and his Israeli counterpart Tzipi Livni will travel to Washington next week. 'Difficult road ahead'
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and his Israeli counterpart Tzipi Livni will travel to Washington "in the next week or so" to begin initial talks.
Mr Kerry said any details of the agreement which might be reported were "conjecture" and stressed that "the best way to give these negotiations a chance is to keep them private".Mr Kerry said any details of the agreement which might be reported were "conjecture" and stressed that "the best way to give these negotiations a chance is to keep them private".
He also thanked the Arab League, which on Thursday gave its backing to his plan for resumed talks, saying this had made an "important difference".He also thanked the Arab League, which on Thursday gave its backing to his plan for resumed talks, saying this had made an "important difference".
'Time running out' Earlier on Friday Mr Kerry made an unscheduled visit to Ramallah in the West Bank, to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for the third time this week.
The BBC's Kim Ghattas, travelling with Mr Kerry, says the agreement sounds fragile, and could yet be derailed before talks begin. The secretary of state had also spoken by phone to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and praised both leaders' courage.
"The representatives of two proud people today have decided that the difficult road ahead is worth travelling," he said.
The BBC's State Department correspondent Kim Ghattas says the agreement sounds fragile, and could yet be derailed before talks begin.
But these will be the first direct talks since the negotiations broke off in 2010, she adds.But these will be the first direct talks since the negotiations broke off in 2010, she adds.
Stumbling blocks
In recent months, Mr Kerry has paid six visits to the Middle East in an effort to restart talks between Israel and the Palestinians.In recent months, Mr Kerry has paid six visits to the Middle East in an effort to restart talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
He has said that time is running out for a two-state solution to their decades-old conflict.He has said that time is running out for a two-state solution to their decades-old conflict.
The issue of Jewish settlements in the West Bank remains one of the biggest stumbling blocks between the two sides.The issue of Jewish settlements in the West Bank remains one of the biggest stumbling blocks between the two sides.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has said that Israel must freeze settlement-building before stalled peace talks can resume, while Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu has urged Mr Abbas to return to talks without preconditions. The Palestinian president has said that Israel must freeze settlement-building before stalled peace talks can resume, while Mr Netanyahu has urged Mr Abbas to return to talks without preconditions.
There was an angry reaction in Israel earlier this week when the European Union approved new guidelines which prevent Israeli projects in occupied territories from receiving European grants or prize money.There was an angry reaction in Israel earlier this week when the European Union approved new guidelines which prevent Israeli projects in occupied territories from receiving European grants or prize money.
Israel gave its final approval on Wednesday for the construction of more than 700 new settlement homes in Modiin Ilit, halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.Israel gave its final approval on Wednesday for the construction of more than 700 new settlement homes in Modiin Ilit, halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.