Israel and the Palestinian Authority have agreed to begin direct talks for the first time since late 2008. The talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are set to begin on September 2. Abbas agreed to the talks despite Israel’s steadfast refusal to freeze West Bank settlement expansion and stop demolishing Palestinian homes. According to the New York Times, one of the few publicly known gestures that Israel made was “assurances…to develop a part of the Dead Sea coast as a resort area for Palestinians, provided Israeli investors were included in the project.”

Saeb Erekat, chief Palestinian negotiator: “The Quartet invited both parties to join the relaunch of direct talks. And we accept this. It should be noted here that we hope that the Israeli government, when presented the choice between settlements and peace, that they will choose peace. If, for instance, on the 26th of September the Israeli government will decide to introduce settlement tenders, I don’t think we can continue the negotiations.”