Israeli President calls peace talks resumption great opportunity

Israeli President Shimon Peres said Sunday that the renewal of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians would be a "great opportunity" for both parties. "I know there will be difficulties, but this time there's no alternative; not for the Palestinians and not for us," Peres said, according to a statement released by the president's chambers. "This is a great opportunity. We started with great momentum and we must all contribute," he said. "The majority on both sides supports peace, it is an existential need," the president said. "There are many skeptical people, but the situation this time is different from the past." He went on to congratulate those involved in the efforts to renew the peace talks, starting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whom he called "my friend... and who I believe will be the father of the new and modern Palestinian state." He also expressed his appreciation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who he said made a "brave and difficult decision" to renew talks, and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, whom he praised for working day and night on the task at hand. On Friday evening, Kerry, who had visited the region six times in four months in order to advance the peace talks, announced the sides have come to an agreement to start direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian officials once more. The main issues at hand have been the Palestinians' demands of releasing 103 Palestinian prisoners, a freeze in the settlements construction and a declaration that the negotiations will be based on the 1967 lines, meaning that the lands Israel annexed in the West Bank will be included in the future Palestinian state.