Secretary Clinton said the talks should take place without preconditions. The secretary said she and President Obama were "encouraged" by the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanhayu and President Mahmoud Abbas.
She said they all share the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine, living peacefully side by side. The "final status" issues also include issues like refugees and the future of Jerusalem.
On a separate issue, President Obama this week faced strong criticism in the debate over a proposed Islamic center in New York. The property is two blocks from Ground Zero, what people call the site where the twin towers were destroyed.
Rita Balmin, left, holds a sign that says "Remember 09.11.01" at the site of the proposed Islamic center on Friday. Matt Sky, center, and Julia Lundy hold signs in support of religious freedom.
Al-Qaida attacked the World Trade Center on September eleventh, two thousand one. Opponents say it is offensive to build a Muslim site that includes a mosque less than a kilometer away.
Republicans and other criticized the president over comments he made last Friday. He was speaking to guests at an iftar dinner at the White House celebrating the holy month of Ramadan.
BARACK OBAMA: "Ground Zero is indeed hallowed ground. But let me be clear, as a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. And that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan."
最新
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25