US, Israel conclude talks on Mideast peace -- White House

Mar 24, 2017 (Jonglei Times)- Senior-level US and Israeli delegations on Thursday concluded four days of intensive discussions, with a particular focus on "concrete, near-term measures to improve the overall climate in order to advance the prospects for a genuine and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians," the White House announced 
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A principal focus of the discussions was "specific measures that could have a meaningful impact on the economic environment in the West Bank and Gaza, allowing the Palestinians to more fully realize their economic potential," the announcement said 
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The Israelis welcomed US interest in continuing to play a facilitating role in advancing issues regarding electricity and water in ways that will benefit Israel and the Palestinians and "move the Palestinians toward self-sustainability in these crucial areas," it said. The US delegation was led by Jason Greenblatt, President Donald Trump's special representative for international negotiations, and included representatives of the National Security Council staff and the State Department.  

The Israeli delegation was led by Chief of Staff to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Horowitz, and included Israeli Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer and representatives of the Israeli National Security Council and office of the Prime Minister.  

Following up on discussions Greenblatt had in Ramallah last week, the two sides agreed on the importance of implementing measures benefiting the people of Gaza, and in that regard, the delegations discussed "the necessity of all parties to the 2014 Gaza Reconstruction Conference in Cairo fulfilling their pledges to bring humanitarian relief and economic development to Gaza in ways that benefit the population without further empowering Hamas or other terrorist organizations," the statement said.  

The delegations also discussed Israeli settlement construction, following up on Netanyahu's visit to Washington last month and Greenblatt's recent visit to Israel, it said. The US delegation reiterated Trump's "concerns regarding settlement activity in the context of moving toward a peace agreement," the statement said. The Israeli delegation "made clear that Israel's intent going forward is to adopt a policy regarding settlement activity that takes those concerns into consideration," it said 

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