Israeli and Palestinian leaders agreed Thursday to keep talking and produce a framework for a permanent peace deal, modest achievements reached amid deep skepticism about success at their first such session in two years. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will meet again on Sept. 14 and 15 in the Middle East, likely at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, with an eye toward forging the outline of a pact. They will also meet roughly every two weeks after that. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who hosted the talks at the State Department, will attend the next round. In a public plea for both sides to compromise in the name of peace, Clinton said the Obama administration has no illusions about reaching a quick breakthrough. “We've been here before and we know how difficult the road ahead will be,” she said. “There undoubtedly will be obstacles and setbacks. Those who oppose the cause of peace will try in every way possible to sabotage this process, as we have already seen this week.” She was referring to Palestinian attacks on Israelis in the disputed West Bank on Tuesday and Wednesday. The United States' Special Mideast Envoy George Mitchell announced the developments after several hours of talks between Netanyahu and Abbas at which the two leaders pledged to work through the region's deeply ingrained mutual hostility and suspicion to resolve the long-running conflict in a year's time. “Our goal is to resolve all of the core issues within one year, and the parties themselves have suggested and agreed that the logical way to proceed, to tackle them, is to try to reach a framework agreement first,” he told reporters as Abbas and Netanyahu remained in a one-on-one session that completed the day's talks. Earlier the two leaders met together with Clinton and Mitchell, and held a separate session with the full delegation of negotiators. Clinton opened the talks with an appeal for the two leaders to overcome a long history of failed attempts to resolve the conflict and make the difficult compromises needed for peace. “I know the decision to sit at this table was not easy,” said Clinton, who with Mitchell has been working to relaunch talks stalled for 20 months. “We understand the suspicion and skepticism that so many feel borne out of years of conflict and frustrated hopes.” “But, by being here today, you each have taken an important step toward freeing your peoples from the shackles of a history we cannot change and moving toward a future of peace and dignity that only you can create,” she said. Flanked by Abbas and Netanyahu at the head of a U-shaped table in the State Department's ornate Benjamin Franklin Room, Clinton said the Obama administration was committed to a settlement. She stressed, though, that the heavy lifting must be done by Netanyahu and Abbas with support from the international community, particularly the Arab and Israeli publics. “I see in you a partner for peace,” Netanyahu told Abbas. “Together we can lead our people to a historic future that can put an end to claims and to conflict. Now this will not be easy. A true peace, a lasting peace would be achieved only with mutual and painful concessions from both sides.” Abbas called on Israel to end Jewish settlements in the West Bank and other areas that the Palestinians want to be part off their own state. Netanyahu insisted that any agreement must ensure Israel's security as a Jewish state. “We do know how hard are the hurdles and obstacles we face during these negotiations – negotiations that within a year should result in an agreement that will bring peace,” Abbas said.
