U.S. Denies Israel Broke Agreement

Vice President Joe Biden has touched down in Israel as a special envoy announced that Israelis and Palestinians are ready to open an indirect dialogue. One potential wrinkle: A State Department spokesman said Monday that a new Israeli settlement in the West Bank does not violate the recently announced 10-month ban on building there, which experts say may imperil the U.S.'s role in getting both sides to talk directly. Israel says the 112 new apartments were approved before the moratorium went through. The U.S. says the talks can last four months before they announce the results. A breakthrough in the negotiations would be a surprise.