White House adviser says ‘unparalleled opportunity’ at hand to make peace in the Middle East
By APSunday, September 26, 2010
US urging Israelis, Palestinians to keep talking
WASHINTON — One of President Barack Obama’s chief advisers says the White House is urging the Palestinians and Israelis to keep talking despite the impending end of freeze on Israeli settlement construction.
David Axelrod tells ABC’s “This Week” that there’s a “rare” and “unparalleled opportunity” for the two sides to reach an agreement. Axelrod says the parties must remain at the negotiating table.
He says “they’re having serious discussions, they ought to keep on having those discussions, and we are very eager to see that happen.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a curb on new settlement construction in the West Bank won’t be extended.
The Palestinians have threatened to walk out of the talks if Netanyahu doesn’t extend the moratorium that expires at midnight.
