Israel welcomes peace talks, notes "concerns"

JERUSALEM - Israel has welcomed a proposal by international mediators to resume long-stalled talks with the Palestinians but says it has some concerns abut the plan.

Senior Cabinet ministers on Sunday discussed the proposal.

The plan by the Quartet of Mideast mediators calls for the resumption of talks and a deal within a year. It was put forth after the Palestinians last month asked the United Nations to recognize their state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office says Israel "welcomes the Quartet's call for direct negotiations between the parties without preconditions" but said it has unspecified "concerns" about the proposal.

The Quartet includes the U.S., European Union, United Nations and Russia.