UN chief backs direct talks between Israel, Palestinians
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with President Benjamin Netanyahu in New York and expressed his support in switching to direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
Ban thanked Netanyahu for easing the blockade on Gaza, and noted that Israel had the right to defend itself. The PM said the Israeli public was willing to take risks for peace, but any future arrangement needs to guarantee the cessation of rocket fire into Israel. (Yitzhak Benhorin, Washington)
