Kerry: Israelis, Palestinians Will Launch Formal Peace Talks
Anne Gearan and Debbi Wilgoren of The Washington Post report, “Secretary of State John F. Kerry said Tuesday that Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have agreed to launch formal peace talks within the next two weeks, in hopes of forging a comprehensive agreement over the next nine months on the creation of an independent Palestinian state.” Both sides have agreed to tackle thorny issues, such as Palestinian refugees and the division of Jerusalem, which have previously barred efforts to create an independent Palestine. “The time has come for a lasting peace,” Kerry said.