Israeli and Palestinian leaders launched their first direct negotiations in 20 months here Thursday, agreeing to meet every two weeks in a bid to settle core differences within a year.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas vowed to hold a second round of talks on September 14-15 in the Middle East, possibly in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
In opening some four hours of talks in Washington, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she understood the "suspicion and skepticism" leading up to the meetings.
Thousands of tourists and pilgrims are gathering to celebrate Christmas in the Holy Land.
