Ahead of his meeting with Obama's visiting envoy, Netanyahu hailed the U.S. decision to drop efforts to achieve a construction freeze on Israeli settlements and focus on resolving core issues of the conflict.

Defense Minister meets U.S. counterpart at the Pentagon to discuss Washington's continuing support of Israel's defense efforts.

US diplomatic cables reveal Australian intelligence concerns over conflict between Israel and Iran as ''greatest challenge to stability'' in Middle East.

Obama administration expects Netanyahu to take a position on core issues such as borders and refugees in coming weeks; Mitchell also due to hold talks with PA President Abbas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu distanced himself from remarks made by Defense Minister Ehud Barak on dividing Jerusalem.

World Jewish Congress leaders in an audience at the Vatican urged Pope Benedict XVI to speak out against the delegitimization of Israel.

The United States will criticize the sides in Israeli-Palestinian talks when they take unilateral actions, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said she regrets that Israel has not been in a position to accept an extension of the moratorium as requested by the US, the EU and the Quartet.

Argentina's announcement follows Brazil's declaration of recognition last week, in wake of request made by Abbas on Latin American tour last year.

Israel must keep on building settlements in the West Bank to defend itself against the forces of Islam out to destroy the Jewish state, visiting rightwing Dutch MP Geert Wilders said.