AFP/Getty Images/File – Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak (R) and special US envoy George Mitchell prepare to begin a meeting … LONDON (AFP) – US envoy George Mitchell and Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak discussed Jewish settlements and Palestinian security steps as they pushed for a broad Arab-Israeli peace, both sides said here Monday. But a joint statement from the pair did not say whether Mitchell had renewed US calls for Israel to stop all settlement activity, a demand that has caused friction between the close allies. "They covered all aspects of Middle East peace and security," said the joint statement released by the State Department after the special US Middle East envoy and Barak met in London. "They re-affirmed their commitment to the common objective of a regional peace between Israel and the Palestinians,... [read full story]
