US envoy meets Netanyahu in push to end rift

US Middle East envoy George Mitchell is meeting Israeli and Palestinian leaders in the hope of ending a row over Israeli building in East Jerusalem. Mitchell met Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, on his first visit since the disagreement scuppered planned indirect peace talks. Reports suggested Israel may be willing to make several gestures to bring the Palestinians back to the negotiations. But Israel's PM has stressed he will not stop building in East Jerusalem. Ahead of his meeting with Mr Mitchell, Mr Netanyahu said Israel was serious about trying to advance peace, and hoped the Palestinians would respond. Mitchell stressed the unbreakable bond between the US and Israel. Officials said the two would meet again on Sunday, after Mr Mitchell has met Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas later on Friday. The Palestinians pulled out of the scheduled proximity talks last month after Israel approved a plan for 1,600 homes in East Jerusalem, where the Palestinians want the capital of their future state.