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| Israeli-Palestinian peace talks: Day two in Washington | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A second day of Middle East peace talks is due to take place following their resumption in Washington DC after months of diplomacy by US Secretary of State John Kerry. | A second day of Middle East peace talks is due to take place following their resumption in Washington DC after months of diplomacy by US Secretary of State John Kerry. |
| The talks began again after three years as Israel approved the release of more than 100 Palestinian prisoners. | The talks began again after three years as Israel approved the release of more than 100 Palestinian prisoners. |
| Israeli and Palestinian negotiators attended a dinner hosted by Mr Kerry in the US capital on Monday night. | Israeli and Palestinian negotiators attended a dinner hosted by Mr Kerry in the US capital on Monday night. |
| President Barack Obama is due to meet the negotiators at the White House. | |
| In the last five months, Mr Kerry has made six official visits to the Middle East in an effort to restart the negotiations. | In the last five months, Mr Kerry has made six official visits to the Middle East in an effort to restart the negotiations. |
| 'Daunting' | 'Daunting' |
| The 90-minute dinner in Washington was attended by Israel's chief negotiator, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, and her Palestinian counterpart Saeb Erekat. | The 90-minute dinner in Washington was attended by Israel's chief negotiator, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, and her Palestinian counterpart Saeb Erekat. |
| A former US ambassador to Israel, Martin Indyk, appointed US special envoy to the talks, also attended the "iftar", the traditional meal at the end of each day of fasting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. | A former US ambassador to Israel, Martin Indyk, appointed US special envoy to the talks, also attended the "iftar", the traditional meal at the end of each day of fasting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. |
| Ms Livni told Israeli public radio that the atmosphere at the talks was "positive", and insisted that the talks were resuming "not just in response to US pressure but because it's in the interest of both parties". | Ms Livni told Israeli public radio that the atmosphere at the talks was "positive", and insisted that the talks were resuming "not just in response to US pressure but because it's in the interest of both parties". |
| But she acknowledged that disagreements within Israel's governing coalition could pose an obstacle to any deal. | But she acknowledged that disagreements within Israel's governing coalition could pose an obstacle to any deal. |
| A US state department official said: "It was a constructive and productive meeting between the parties. They engaged in good faith and with seriousness of purpose. | A US state department official said: "It was a constructive and productive meeting between the parties. They engaged in good faith and with seriousness of purpose. |
| "We are looking forward to continuing the talks." | "We are looking forward to continuing the talks." |
| Mr Indyk said earlier he was looking forward to working with both sides to "do our best to achieve President Obama's vision of two states, living side by side in peace and security". | Mr Indyk said earlier he was looking forward to working with both sides to "do our best to achieve President Obama's vision of two states, living side by side in peace and security". |
| The seasoned diplomat played a key role in the failed Camp David talks of 2000 under former President Bill Clinton. | The seasoned diplomat played a key role in the failed Camp David talks of 2000 under former President Bill Clinton. |
| At a news conference in Washington on Monday, Mr Kerry urged both sides to make "reasonable compromises" for peace. | At a news conference in Washington on Monday, Mr Kerry urged both sides to make "reasonable compromises" for peace. |
| "I know the negotiations are going to be tough, but I also know the consequences of not trying will be worse," he said. | "I know the negotiations are going to be tough, but I also know the consequences of not trying will be worse," he said. |
| State department spokeswoman Jen Psaki suggested the goal of initial talks would be to chart a way forward rather than try to tackle the thorny issues between the two sides - which include the status of Jerusalem, Jewish settlements on the West Bank, the borders and functions of a future Palestinian state, and the status of Palestinian refugees. | State department spokeswoman Jen Psaki suggested the goal of initial talks would be to chart a way forward rather than try to tackle the thorny issues between the two sides - which include the status of Jerusalem, Jewish settlements on the West Bank, the borders and functions of a future Palestinian state, and the status of Palestinian refugees. |
| Hanan Ashrawi, a senior Palestinian official, told AFP news agency on Monday: "There must be a timeline and commitment from both sides on what they'll agree about. We hope for something good." | Hanan Ashrawi, a senior Palestinian official, told AFP news agency on Monday: "There must be a timeline and commitment from both sides on what they'll agree about. We hope for something good." |
| Referendum | Referendum |
| The issue of settlement-building halted the last direct talks in September 2010. Settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this. | The issue of settlement-building halted the last direct talks in September 2010. Settlements are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this. |
| On Sunday, the Israeli cabinet approved the release of 104 long-term Palestinian prisoners by 13 votes to seven. | On Sunday, the Israeli cabinet approved the release of 104 long-term Palestinian prisoners by 13 votes to seven. |
| The inmates are to be released in four stages over a number of months, linked to progress in the peace process. | The inmates are to be released in four stages over a number of months, linked to progress in the peace process. |
| Their identities have not been published, but according to reports they include those who have killed Israelis or Palestinian informers. | Their identities have not been published, but according to reports they include those who have killed Israelis or Palestinian informers. |
| Sunday's cabinet meeting was delayed by an hour as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought support for his proposal. | Sunday's cabinet meeting was delayed by an hour as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought support for his proposal. |
| The cabinet also approved a draft bill requiring a referendum for any peace agreement with the Palestinians that involves territorial concessions. | The cabinet also approved a draft bill requiring a referendum for any peace agreement with the Palestinians that involves territorial concessions. |
| Mr Netanyahu's office said it was important that every citizen voted directly on such decisions. | Mr Netanyahu's office said it was important that every citizen voted directly on such decisions. |