Hopes rasied in Israel-Palestinian conflict

The UN’s top envoy for the Middle East told the Security Council that for the first time since violence broke out in September 2000, Israelis and Palestinians are moving in the direction of peace talks.

“For the first time in two and a half years, I see a small window of opportunity to get back to the table and out of the abyss of terrorism, violence, economic misery and general human suffering,” Terje Larsen told the council.

Larsen attributed the optimism to the appointment this week of a Palestinian prime minister who could represent his people during negotiations, and to a US decision to embrace a “road map” for ending the conflict.