Israeli PM meets German Chancellor

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel has turned up pressure, on Israel to freeze its settlement-building program, and resume the Middle East peace process.

She made the comments after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Berlin, on Thursday. Both sides underlined the need for Iran to cease its nuclear program or face stiffer sanctions.

During the post-meeting press conference, Angela Merkel emphasized the importance of Israel freezing West Bank settlement construction.

This has been required by the Palestinians as a condition for resuming peace talks. The German chancellor says it's the time to move forward.

Angela Merkel, erman Chancellor, said, "I am deeply convinced that the possibility for such a process is at the moment very good: a new Israeli government, a new American president, a closer connection between the United States and the European Union, and also the willingness to progress, to be helpful, present good historic possibilities to move forward."

Benjamin Netanyahu, however, offered no indication that Israel would agree to a settlement freeze.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, said, "I expressed my intention to work towards ending this conflict and described also what I believe is a winning formula for peace: a demilitarized Palestinian State that recognizes the Jewish State."