Israeli - Palestinian Conflict News:

A Palestinian negotiator said Thursday that trilateral peace talks are set for Washington this month. The negotiator, Saeb Erekat, told The Associated Press that Israeli and Palestinian negotiators will meet there with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, who stands a good chance of becoming prime minister shortly after September's Kadima primary, defended his hawkish statements about a prospective attack on Iran this week in an interview with The Jerusalem Post.