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RAMALLAH, West Bank — President Barack Obama’s special Mideast envoy on Friday played down Israel’s rejection of U.S. calls for a halt to construction in east Jerusalem, saying Washington remains undeterred in its push to renew peace talks.
George Mitchell held separate talks Friday with Israeli and Palestinian leaders to try to find common ground. The Palestinians balk at engaging in talks unless Israel pledges not to start new construction for Jews in east Jerusalem.
Going into his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday, Mitchell said the U.S. would not be deterred.
