Israeli says both sides must compromise for peace

WASHINGTON Netanyahu spoke Thursday at the start of the first face-to-face Israeli-Palestinian negotiations in nearly two years. He directed some of his remarks to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, calling him a partner for peace.

With each delegation seated on opposite sides of a U-shaped table in the ceremonial Benjamin Franklin Room, the Israeli leader cautioned that achieving a peace agreement would be difficult. But he also spoke optimistically of prospects for progress in the coming year.

The negotiations face numerous obstacles, not least renewed violence and provocations from Israelis and Palestinians opposed to the goal of an independent Palestine and a secure Israel.