Israel, Palestinians reopen talks

Majdi Mohammed/AP

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had warned of harsh measures against Israel if talks didn't resume by Jan. 26.

THE FIRST MEETING between Israeli and Palestinian peace negotiators in more than a year ended without any significant breakthroughs Tuesday.

But in a small sign of progress, the sides agreed to continue the dialogue.

Resumption of any kind of contacts would be an important achievement, though Israel and the Palestinians remain far from agreement on key issues to resolve their decades-long conflict.

The 15-month breakdown in negotiations has seen a progressive souring of the atmosphere, and earlier Tuesday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had warned of taking tough measures against Israel if talks didn't resume by Jan. 26.

Jordan?s foreign minister, Nasser Judeh, who hosted Tuesday?s gathering in Amman, expressed some hope. ?The important thing is the two sides have met face to face today,? he said.

While acknowledging there were no breakthroughs in ?substance,? he praised the positive atmosphere and said sides had agreed to hold further talks, some in secret.

?We agreed that the discussions will be continuous, that the meetings will continue and will take place here in Jordan,? he said.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon encouraged the parties ?to build on this meeting and to continue working to establish forward momentum toward a lasting peace.?

Source: http://feeds.nydailynews.com/~r/nydnrss/gossip/gatecrasher/~3/khdRe_zZDm8/israelis-palestinians-talk-peace-time-a-year-ll-talking-article-1.1000551

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