Peace Talks to Resume August 14

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators will resume peace talks in Yerushalayim on Aug. 14, the U.S. State Department said on Thursday.

“Negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians will be resuming Aug. 14 in Yerushalayim and will be followed by a meeting in Jericho,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told a briefing.

Psaki said U.S. envoys Martin Indyk and Frank Lowenstein will travel to the region to help facilitate the negotiations.

She signaled that no major breakthroughs were likely at the meeting, saying, “Secretary Kerry does not expect to make any announcements in the aftermath of this round of talks.”

The announcement came as Israel said it had given preliminary approval for the construction of more than 800 new homes in Yehudah and Shomron, and Psaki said Washington had taken up the issue with the Israelis.

“The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued [construction] activity and opposes any efforts to legitimize outposts,” Psaki said.

“The Secretary has made clear that he believes both the negotiating teams are at the table in good faith and are committed to making progress,” she added.

This article appeared in print on page 6 of the August 9th, 2013 edition of Hamodia.