Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined U.S. President Barack Obama and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the White House this evening to begin the direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Jordan's King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak also spoke and confirmed their commitment to peace in the region.

Transcript of the press conference:
Opening remarks from President Obama
Remarks from President Mubarak
Remarks from King Abdullah
Remarks from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Remarks from President Mahmoud Abbas
Closing remarks from President Obama

Following the press conference, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Quartet envoy Tony Blair joined the leaders for a small private dinner. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Earlier Wednesday, U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister held a joint press conference following their bilateral meeting condemning the killing of four Israelis Tuesday in the West Bank and reaffirming their commitment to peace and security in the region. Video and a transcript of the press conference are available here:

Read more: Peace Talks: Obama, Netanyahu and Abbas Hold Joint Press Conference

Shalom to all,

Welcome to the updated website of the Embassy of Israel. Located in America’s dynamic capital, our Embassy serves the interface between the people of the United States and their representatives at all levels of government. For more than a half a century, Israel and the United States have enjoyed a special relationship of extraordinary depth, dimension, and warmth.

Our alliance with the United States is vital to Israel’s security and the stability of the Middle East. In our search for peace and our quest for the better betterment of people’s worldwide, America is our partner.

Israel is home to a vibrant democracy, a flourishing arts world, and a thrilling youth culture. Israeli scientists and high-tech innovators are pioneering paths towards alternative energy sources, nano and bio technology, and cures for the deadliest diseases.

We are a diverse society composed of communities from every continent and a variety of religious beliefs. And of course, Israel is the Jewish State, the homeland of millions of Jews across the globe, and the realization of a millennia-long vision.

All of these aspects of Israel are reflected in our work at the Embassy—from the Cultural Affairs Department, to the Economic and Trade Missions, to our top-notch diplomatic team.

I am delighted to welcome you to our website and to invite you to experience the sensation of Israel.

Sincerely,
Dr. Michael B. Oren
Ambassador of Israel to the United States

^{August 31, 2010}

Four Israelis were killed today in a brutal terrorist attack near Kiryat Arba in the West Bank. This severe attack comes one day prior to the start of the direct peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians in Washington DC. Israeli officials further stated this attack will not deter its leaders from entering the talks and finding a path to peace.

Remarks from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

"We witnessed today a savage murder of four innocent Israelis. There are seven new orphans that were added to the circle of grief in Israel. We will not let the blood of Israeli civilians go unpunished. We will find the murderers. We will punish their dispatchers. We will not let terror decide where Israelis live or the configuration of our final borders. These and other issues will be determined in the negotiations for peace that we're conducting, and in these negotiations I will set clearly the security needs that are required precisely to address this kind of terror; and I hope to have the opportunity to go into greater detail in my conversations with President Obama tomorrow and with you, Secretary Clinton, today, and the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestinians as well. Thank you."

More in the Jerusalem Post and Haaretz.

^{31 August 2010}

Two Israeli doctors restored the gift of sight to patients in Cameroon, while instructing local doctors to perform the procedure themselves.

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More on the Israeli Foreign Office Website.

In anticipation of the direct peace talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren writes,"Israel is committed to seeing these talks through to reach a final agreement and a permanent end to the conflict."
Read his full post on the IsraelPolitik blog, We Are Not Quitters.

For more information on the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks, check out the background summary from the Consulate General of Israel to the Northwest page.

Follow the Embassy of Israel on Twitter and Facebook for continued updates throughout the talks.