Israel, Palestine reported in secret talks

JERUSALEM, April 24 (UPI) -- Israeli and Palestinian officials reportedly have been meeting in Europe to discuss obstacles to a final peace.

The talks have ranged over the borders of a Palestinian state, the right of return for Palestinian refugees, Jerusalem's status and the West Bank settlements, the daily newspaper al-Quds reported Tuesday.

One major stumbling block is the right of return of Palestinian refugees displaced by the 1948 partition and war. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert insists that none will be allowed to settle within its final borders, while Palestine says the issue is critical.

Also Tuesday, Dalia Itzik, speaker of the Knesset and acting president, urged Palestinians to abandon violence, Haaretz reported. She made the call in a speech kicking off the celebration of Israeli independence 59 years ago.

"Our advice to you is replace your Katyushas and Qassams with computers

and loving education, the smile of a boy that has a future, and neighborliness," Itzik said.