Talks between the two sides broke down when Israel invaded the Gaza strip in 2008 and an overwhelmingly right-wing dominated government was formed after the 2009 general elections in Israel.
Breaking a deadlock of almost 18 months, the Palestinian Authority today announced the launch of indirect talks with Israel under US meditation as premier Benjamin Netanyahu expressed hopes that it would soon result in direct negotiations to resolve the crisis.
"I can officially declare today that the proximity talks have begun," Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said following the third meeting between PA president Mahmoud Abbas and US special envoy for the Middle East, George Mitchell this week.
Erekat said that the talks will be renewed from the place they left off with the previous Israeli government led by Ehud Olmert and Abbas himself will head the Palestinian negotiation team.
He also emphasiseed that all of the permanent agreement issues would be put on the negotiation table.
Talks between the two sides broke down when Israel invaded the Gaza Strip in December 2008 and an overwhelmingly right-wing dominated government led by Netanyahu was formed after the February 2009 general elections in Israel.
Welcoming the Palestinian Authority's decision to resume "proximity talks" after an 18-month hiatus, Netanyahu has expressed hopes that they would soon lead to direct talks.
"The proximity talks must lead to direct talks as soon as possible. Peace cannot be brought from a distance or by remote-control, especially as we are such close neighbours", Netanyahu today told his ministers at the weekly cabinet meeting.
He said the agreements that are crucial to the future of both sides can only be reached through direct negotiation that come from "us sitting and negotiating in the same room".
"We must achieve peace and security so that we will be able to live side by side with the Palestinians for generations," the Israeli premier stressed.
Heading an overwhelmingly right-wing coalition, the hawkish Israeli leader also insisted that the talks would be held without preconditions.
"I'd like to stress two points in this context - the talks are taking place without preconditions, as we insisted all along," Netanyahu emphasised.
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas had made a freeze on building activities in the west Bank and Jerusalem a precondition for the launch of peace talks between the two sides.
Netanyahu, fearing a right-wing backlash, had resisted giving up the right to build in east Jerusalem although he announced a temporary freeze on constructions in the West Bank in November.
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