New U.S. push for Mideast peace faces old obstacles

A new U.S.-led initiative to revive Middle East peace talks faces steep hurdles even before it’s launched, with Israelis and Palestinians resisting new concessions despite a fresh application of American diplomacy.

President Barack Obama’s first efforts at brokering Middle East peace bore no fruit last year, and the White House now has crafted a two-year plan under which Israelis and Palestinians would hold regular, intense meetings to reach a final peace agreement.

Obama is sending his Mideast envoy, former Sen. George Mitchell, on a series of trips to the region and to Europe starting next week. He’s also enlisting the help of Arab allies, whose representatives are filing through Washington.

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Posted in * Economics, Politics, * International News & Commentary, America/U.S.A., Foreign Relations, Israel, Middle East, The Palestinian/Israeli Struggle