Special Middle East envoy George Mitchell of the United States said on Sunday that he hoped talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority would continue by the end of September. Mitchell expressed his sentiments during a visit with President Shimon Peres.

Most of the media attention was on President Peres, who was hospitalized overnight after fainting during a speech in Tel Aviv Saturday night. Regarding the diplomatic efforts, Peres said, "we cannot miss this opportunity and let September pass without there being a new start to negotiations between us and the Palestinians."