http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/18/world/meast/mideast-kerry-visit/index.html?hpt=hp_inthenews

[CNN) -- America's top diplomat is trying to revive dormant peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians, a source told CNN on Thursday.

Secretary of State John Kerry presented Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a formula designed to entice him to the negotiating table, a source familiar with Kerry's talks said.

He also presented the ideas to an Arab League committee. This would serve the purpose of giving Abbas cover and encouraging him to accept.

. . .

Mark Regev, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, denies the story's content and questions who would have made the assertions. When asked whether Kerry was expected in Jerusalem, Regev said "all eyes are on what the Palestinians decide later today." Abbas met with top Palestinians in Ramallah in the West Bank to discuss a resumption of peace talks and to update them on his talks with Kerry.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/07/2013719183255111574.html

Speaking on Friday after days of meetings with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Jordan, Kerry said the groundwork had been laid for the resumption of talks.

"We have reached an agreement that establishes a basis for resuming direct final status negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis," he told reporters in Jordan.

"The agreement is still in the process of being formalised."

Al Jazeera's Rosiland Jordan, reporting from Washington, said the fact Kerry had two meetings with Abbas, the second of which was not expected to take place, could indicate a change in policy had been agreed.

The US has previously tried to navigate peace talks between the two nations when Hilary Clinton was Secretary of State.

The talks fell apart within weeks and Israel's settlement process re-started.