Obama to Host Israeli Leaders and Palestinian Leaders

Today’s U.S President Barack Obama will host the first meeting with Israeli and Palestinian leaders in New York. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday in the hope of re-launching peace and good relation with negotiations. U.S President Barack Obama wants to Israel leader to call a halt to Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank - a move that could persuade Mr. Abbas to resume negotiations that were suspended in December. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Monday U.S. officials have to no grand expectations about the possibility of a breakthrough. All sides have been careful not to raise hopes about the meeting, which will take place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and which remain blocked by profound disagreement over settlements and the scope of talks. Palestinian leaders say building more Jewish homes on land Israel captured in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War threatens their efforts to create a viable state and stalls peace efforts. Israel says some construction is necessary to accommodate the natural growth of Jewish families living in occupied East Jerusalem. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak was quoted by The New York Times newspaper Monday, saying he fears the Palestinians will miss an opportunity for peace. He says the U.S. president has clearly pledged to use his political influence to make sure there is an independent Palestinian state, and to resolve core issues in two years. Barak called this an opportunity not to be missed with Israel and Palestine country.