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Wednesday, February 3, 2010

PM Netanyahu: I have reason of hope to resume peace talks in the coming weeks

(Ynet).Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Herzliya Conference on Wednesday evening that he hopes to resume peace negotiations with the Palestinians in the coming weeks.

"I have reason to hope, in a realistic manner, that in the coming weeks we will resume the peace process with the Palestinians, without preconditions," the prime minister said at the start of his address.

"I have been saying for a long time that the international community has matured into understanding that Israel wants and is ready to resume the peace process. And from the moment this recognition has matured among the key elements in the international community, the practical feasibility of this move is also maturing."

"There is a saying that it takes two to tango," Netanyahu added. "In the Middle East, it sometimes takes three, at least at the beginning. Then we can continue to a dance for couples.

"I hope there if is willingness on the other side, not only to build the Palestinian economy and the Palestinian institutions, but also to start building peace itself, we will see a resumption of the process in the coming weeks."