Hours before meeting with US President Barack Obama on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for an immediate resumption of peace talks with Palestinians.

In a speech to the Jewish Federations of North America, Netanyahu said, “My goal is to achieve a permanent peace treaty between Israel and the Palestinians, and soon. I say to Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the Palestinian Authority: Let us seize the moment to reach an historic agreement. Let us begin talks immediately.”

Netanyahu added that he would work for a lasting peace with the Palestinians, promising “great concessions” as long as they don’t compromise Israel’s security.

He also said, “With the support of the United States, peace can become a reality.”

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has just returned from the Middle East, where she failed to persuade Abbas to resume talks with Israel until it agrees to a complete freeze of settlement construction.

(article and photo source: CNN)