Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Tuesday with U.S. President Barack Obama's special envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, in Jerusalem on Tuesday.
The premier told Mitchell that Israel was doing all it could to advance the peace process with the Palestinians. Mitchell said that there are understandings that have been reached that could aid in advancing the process.
The Prime Minister's Office stated that the meeting was positive and that the two discussed various issues concerning the political process and not just the settlements issue.
In his remarks, Netanyahu said that, "we're making progress towards achieving an understanding that would enable us to continue and achieve a peace deal between Israel and its Palestinian neighbors."
The premier told Mitchell that Israel was doing all it could to advance the peace process with the Palestinians. Mitchell said that there are understandings that have been reached that could aid in advancing the process.
The Prime Minister's Office stated that the meeting was positive and that the two discussed various issues concerning the political process and not just the settlements issue.
Statements by PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Envoy Mitchell
In his remarks, Netanyahu said that, "we're making progress towards achieving an understanding that would enable us to continue and achieve a peace deal between Israel and its Palestinian neighbors."
Mitchell said in the meeting that progress has been made in talks and that the US hopes to reach understandings with Israel, forming a basis for continued negotiations with the Palestinians. Netanyahu and Mitchell are scheduled to meet again in August.
Following their meeting, Mitchell told reporters that a "comprehensive peace in the Middle East would include peace between Israel and the Palestinians, as well as peace between Israel and Lebanon, and Syria and Israel."
In addition, he continued, the peace plan would include "full normalization between Israel and all of its neighbors in the region."
"That is our objective," Mitchell said, "and to that we have committed ourselves fully."