Israel accepts mediators’ call to restart peace talks

ISRAEL accepted yesterday a call by international mediators to resume peace talks with the Palestinians, who quickly reaffirmed their refusal to negotiate until settlement-building stops on land they seek for their state.

“Israel welcomes the Quartet call for direct negotiations between the parties without preconditions,” the statement by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.

“Israel calls on the Palestinian Authority to do the same and to enter into direct negotiations without delay.”