U.S.: Direct peace talks to begin on September 2 in Washington

Was Israel made by talk? Force or regime change are pretty much the ONLY way Human Rights for Palestinians will be put in place. And as the banks and western companies cant actually make any money out of Human Rights there will be no pressure to change the status quo. So unless the USA and Europe undergo some major changes in their modus operandi -JUST MORE TALK!

"Diplomats say the idea that a unilateral declaration of statehood could win support if talks do not start or collapse in the next 12 months is gaining interest." Reuters The above is Israel,s biggest nightmare---the truth getting out in the open for all to see---after 50 sorry---sixty years of lies?(there are no Palestinians---a Land without People for a people without land and all the other gobbldy gook we have been fed.). The gig is up guys--make peace now or pass into the pages of time as forecast by Iranian Leader.

As we say in Italian...e speriamo che questa sia la volta buona ( let's hope this is lucky occasion ! )

Do the Pals gain anything from the talks? Will there be anything better? NEVER!

The Palestinians will continue to demand staying in bed dreaming about a reversal of the clock back to the 1947 UN partition plan so they can make a better choice this time, whereas the Israeli alarm clock will ring loudly to wake them up to the reality of their initial rejection of the plan and insistence of war which led to their loss of land that became Israel's strategic depth, only to be negotiated away with extreme caution with real peace-treaty signatories. However, when all is said and done, it will still be the status of Jerusalem talks that will bring everything to a screeching halt again as the Jewish love affair with Jerusalem is primary and monogamous whereas for the Palestinians and Islamists, she is rated lowly as just their third wife.

"The White House declined to comment. Obama is currently on vacation in Massachusetts." Thats a funny final statement to be added at the end of the article. Thanks for Haaretz for their sense of humor. Anyway, I don't understand why these negotiation to start negotiations are taking place in private. But in any case, I hope that both sides will start serious negotiations that at least would lead to some settlement which helps the Palestinians to live peacefully and allow them to progress. I am not talking now about a state, but basic principles of life, even though this should be portrayed within a state that ensure basic rights for its citizens. The complexity of such assumption arise from the fact that these negotiations has become endless and recently useless. Israelis are in a powerful position supported by western countries especially the US. They are unwilling to give up even "pieces of land" for millions of people who have been under occupation for decades now. The irony is that the US and other "fragile" world powers are also, I think, unwilling to solve the conflict. I am confident the US can solve everything in 1 week, but they never did that which seemingly to be in their interest (I can't find or think of any other reason). I think there should be a third solution other than peace or war! Perhaps some kind of separation! But I dont know how could this happen. I just hope Bibi would not show up and reiterate the boring statements about Jerusalem...I hope negotiations will start at the above mentioned date!

1967, after the Six Day war, George Brown, Foreign Minister of the UK, was asked in Tel Aviv about his thoughts to the future of the Middle East. He responded: "I see no solutions, only consequences."

Peace talks ? what is the substance ? there is no more land left for the palestinians Abbas has nothing more to sacrifice exept his people

There's some handshaking, the talks restart, and nothing happens till the next government arrives.

It never has been. Here is a remark made by BG as far back as 1938 .Every Israeli PM since has signed on to the same Goal---"The Greater Israel". Netanyahu is no different as he concurs with the likud Charter which specifically rejects a Palestinian State. So if the Quartet is not willing to put the necessary pressure on Israel----they will just refuse to co-operate. The freedom loving peoples of the world--those opposed to oppressive regimes are the ones who can change things by isolating and treating Israel as the pariah that it is. "In 1938, Ben-Gurion made it clear of his support for the "Jewish state" on part of Palestine was only as a stepping ground for a complete conquest. He wrote: "[I am] satisfied with part of the country, but on the basis of the assumption that after we build up a strong force following the establishment of the state--we will abolish the partition of the country and we will expand to the whole Land of Israel." (Expulsion Of The Palestinians, p. 107 & One Palestine Complete, p. 403)

maybe they will come out with something new... i hope we can live together some day in one state.. i like the hills of the west bank as palestinians like the galilee... one bi-national state with equal rights is the solution on the long run

and a stronger commitment would follow...

It's called "going through the motions hoping to screw you some more", without any serious aims toward reaching an agreement that results in a viable Palestinian state.

The students all go back to Professor Obama's class on Sept 2, see how long before they flunk again.

Israel with it's today's PM and his right-wing fanatics will fell into chaos as the US will insist on the agreed quartet formula for peace. Taking the sinking popularity of Israel in the USA and the EU, Israel will find itself isolated if it insist on it's NO for the agreed peace accord among the Western powers to finally end the conflict.

World powers want the start of direct talks between the Israelis and the criminals banished from the arab countries. These so called powers want only more demands and concesstions for the murderers, rapists and criminals. There is no thought of peace talks These so called powers want half the Israeli country for criminally banished people. It will fulfill the demand of arab countries not to allow banished criminals back to their homelands.

The world knows Bibi has no intention of making peace. Certainly not while there's more land to be stolen. Recent polls indicate more Americans no longer support Israel.

Bib must think that we are all fools. Who in their right minds would go into a meeting such as this with a matter of fact mind set. It is well known what needs to be discussed and it is natural that the major issues are set out in an Agenda. Anything less is an indication that Bibi is not serious. --- Ah. We will go into the room for a chat and see what comes up. Who knows what the chat will cover. It's kind of hot just now. Nice tie you are wearing. Oh, just decided to take some more land. . . What do you want to discuss? Weather, Food, clothes.

I don't believe israel wants peace till I see it. All is a bluff to buy time, to build more settlements, to oppress a few more arabs enough maybe they will leave. Anyway I hope you prove me wrong.

Israeli's going to leave The West Bank ? Stop the blockade on Gaza ? Let thousands of Palestinian (child) prisoners free ? Change their Zionist 'Program' ? Stop pestering (abusing) Palestinians who just want to travel from one village to the next ? Give equal rights to minority groups in Israel ? Stop diverting attention of the world on sick situations in Israel by 'attacking' Iran ? Have a Normal conversation on Any topic ? I don't think so ! Peace to the World and justice for those who seek it.

Yawn.....I think Ive seen this movie before!!!

All Arabs out of Israel ! That is the only solution that will work. If they talk and agree to this then Perhaps the Palestinians have a chance. Sooner or later the time for talking will be gone. There is no chance of an Arab homeland and state inside Israel. No one is going to let that happen. If you put a mongoose and a cobra in the same cage, one is going to eat the other !

Let me see if I have this straight. This guy , Abbas, who's term has expired and is not really a legitimate president of only half the Palestinian people is going to represent ALL the Palestinian people anyway, even though whatever comes of it will not be binding on Hamas? I don't see much coming of this BUT talk. Israel is not going back to pre67 boundaries whatever is said or done. It would take a war and the defeat of Israel to force this. Can anyone really impose peace by edict? Nothing will change.

Obama is a serious man and the Israeli-Palestinian issue has been a pain in the butt problem for the US for far too long. He is going to expect a map in short order. But how can that happen? Will there still be two pieces of Palestinian land with Israel in the middle? What kind of logistics is that? And with two different Palestinian governments but only one in the negotiations? How is that going to work? Does that mean there will be two Palestinian states or is Gaza just to be ignored like it doesn't exist? I guess a land swap will have to be made at some point. Boy, they've got a lot to talk about and whatever Bibi agrees to will be roundly condemned anyway. Obama's going to want progress but for progress to happen all three sides will have to make very difficult decisions. I don't see that happening.

It's called "going through the motions hoping to screw you some more", without any serious aims toward reaching an agreement that results in a viable Palestinian state.

I am looking forward to the palestinians turning down everything just like yasser arafart did. Geniuses. Without something to fight for and argue about, the palestinians will have no excuse to play downtrodden.

Negotiations without a framework or an agenda are doomed to failure. Of course this is exactly what Israel wants--talks that lead nowhere where meanwhile they continue expanding illegal settlements and ethnically-cleansing E. Jerusalem.

BIBI will start his game of manipulation . the Quartet should force a fair solution , and not give BIBI the chance to play games period.

Not only will Abbas and Bibi find no common ground making this a waste of time (again), but Tehran will order Hamas to start shooting again from Gaza, and Hezbollah will do something idiotic setting off the next war in Lebanon. Iran would rather fight Israel this way than have to worry about a strike (that isn't coming anyway) against its nuclear facilities. Obama isn't savy enough to get either side to agree to anything. Broken record. Someone wake me when something interesting happens.

Not only will Abbas and Bibi find no common ground making this a waste of time (again), but Tehran will order Hamas to start shooting again from Gaza, and Hezbollah will do something idiotic setting off the next war in Lebanon. Iran would rather fight Israel this way than have to worry about a strike (that isn't coming anyway) against its nuclear facilities. Obama isn't savy enough to get either side to agree to anything. Broken record. Someone wake me when something interesting happens.

are you game? or no show!

erm... call me crazy, but when you're going to hold talks that may decide the fate of an entire nation(s), it's probably good to have some sort of agenda...?

We will see by tomoroow how the cards will be mixed.

are to be discussed with the already accepted agreement between the parties that there be two states side by side, Israel and Palestine, and therefore it's unnecessary to set preconditions or an agenda prior to the substantial discussions on those very core issues by year end (or before).

Bibi will play these fools as long as he can, but what will he do if faced with an ultimatum? Easy. He will refuse cooperation. he will find excuses. He will not play. What will the quartet do about it? Nothing. Bibi knows they will do nothing. This means that he can strike all manner of poses for the entertainment of his coalition and will suffer no penalty.