The United States Wednesday, January 2 called on Israeli and Palestinian leaders to resume direct talks in 2013 and move toward peace, Agence France Presse reported. The U.S. urged “both sides to clearly demonstrate that they are serious about achieving two states living side by side in peace and security,” said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, calling on both sides to halt any “counter-productive unilateral actions.” With President Barack Obama starting his second White House term this month and upcoming elections in Israel, the two sides are heading into a particularly important period, she stressed. Talks between Israel and the Palestinians have been on hold since September 2010, with the Palestinians insisting on a settlement freeze before returning to the negotiating table and the Israelis insisting there be no preconditions.