U.S. welcomes Israel's consent to resume talks with Palestinians

The United States has welcomed Israel's agreement to return to direct negotiations with the Palestinians, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State said. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement that Israel accepts a call from the Quartet of international mediators to resume direct negotiations with the Palestinians without any preconditions. "We welcome the Israeli government's announcement today expressing readiness to resume negotiations with the Palestinians, as called for by the Quartet. The Palestinians expressed support for the Quartet approach on September 29," Spokesperson Victoria Nuland said in a statement. "The U.S. once again calls on both parties to resume negotiations without preconditions, on the timetable proposed by the Quartet, as the best means to advance their interests, resolve their differences, and fulfill the President's two-state vision," she added. Last week, the Quartet - the UN, Russia, European Union, and the United States - released a statement urging Israelis and Palestinians to return to direct talks within one month. The statement came after Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas formally asked the UN to recognize a Palestinian state. Direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke off in September last year.