Israel 'welcomes' Quartet call, seeks immediate talks

Israel on Sunday welcomed a call from the international Quartet for peace talks to resume, saying it had some "concerns" but urging the Palestinians to begin negotiations "without delay." "Israel welcomes the Quartet's call for direct negotiations between the parties without preconditions, as called for by both (US) President (Barack) Obama and Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu," a statement from the premier's office said. "While Israel has some concerns, it will raise them at the appropriate time. Israel calls on the Palestinian Authority to do the same and to enter into direct negotiations without delay."