<p><br /> Israel has welcomed a US invitation to launch direct peace talks with Palestinians, a spokesman said.<br /> </p><p><br /> Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long sought a resumption of the talks that stalled before a Gaza war in late 2008, saying he was ready to sit down at any time with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mark Regev, spokesman for the Prime Minister's office, said Israel welcomed a Middle East Quartet statement inviting them to join direct peace talks next month.<br /> </p><p><br /> "Prime Minister Netanyahu has been calling to start such talks for a year and a half now, and that it is indeed possible is something that we welcome. We have no illusions, the talks will be difficult but a peace agreement is possible, an agreement that protects Israel's vital interests and creates peace between Israelis and Palestinians," he said.<br /> </p><p><br /> Palestinian leaders also said the talks were welcome. Saeb Erekat, the Palestinians' chief negotiator said the statement - issued in New York in the name of the United States, European Union, Russia and the United Nations - contained the elements needed to provide for a peace agreement.<br /> </p><p><br /> He said he had no immediate comment to make on a simultaneous invitation to launch the talks issued in Washington by Clinton, but he said Palestinian leaders would be meeting to discuss their response.<br /> </p><p><br /> Clinton invited Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to resume direct talks in Washington on September 2 with an aim to reaching a peace deal within one year.<br /> </p>
