U.S. Efforts Toward Middle East Peace (Taken Question)

Question: Is the U.S. Government considering pursuing any new measures to bring the parties to direct negotiations?

Answer: Our focus remains on how best to overcome the current impasse between the parties. We have been clear that moving forward requires serious and substantive negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. President Obama outlined principles and goals for those negotiations in a historic set of remarks, and we are working with the parties and our international partners to encourage direct negotiations on that basis.