Israel Ready for ‘Very Serious Territorial Concessions’ in Peace Talks

As peace talks take shape between Israel and Palestine, Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz said that his country is ready to make “very serious territorial concessions” to reach an agreement, and that a demilitarized Palestinian state is the only solution to hostilities. Steinitz said that reaching an agreement would be difficult for both sides, and would require compromises. “I am confident that most Israelis will support it—even if we will have to make considerable and difficult concessions, including territorial concessions,” Steinitz said. As for Jerusalem, however, the “status quo is the only option.” Talks are scheduled to resume next week when Justice Minister Tzipi Livni meets her Palestinian counterpart in Washington.