The Israeli and Palestinian leaders, Binyamin Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas, began direct talks in Washington Thursday as Hamas pledged to scupper attempts to bring about peace after its second attack on Israelis in two days. Barack Obama described it as a ‘moment of opportunity that may not soon come again’.Netanyahu said the killing of four Israelis settlers by Hamas on Tuesday reinforced Israel's determination to ensure its security is at the forefront of the negotiations. Abbas said, ‘We want peace, we want normal life. We want to live as partners and neighbours.’ Obama said ‘terrorists who want to undermine the push for peace would not be allowed to weaken negotiations and harboured no illusions as to the challenges for a lasting settlement. Each side has legitimate and enduring interests. Years of mistrust will not disappear overnight. Politicians need to focus on the human face of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict not their own political agendas.

Pray: God will release a spirit of optimism and trust to permeate all communications and for this to be a ‘partnership that produces peace’ (Ja.3:18)

More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/02/middle-east-peace-talks-begin