Israel pledges steps to boost economy in areas of Palestine

JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel's prime minister is pledging steps to support economic growth in Palestinian areas, while calling for a resumption of peace talks.

Benjamin Netanyahu made the promise in a meeting Friday with Tony Blair, the envoy for the so-called Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators. The Quartet is to meet in Berlin Saturday to discuss ways to revive peace talks. They've been stalled for months because of a dispute over Israeli construction in areas the Palestinians want for a future state.

The economic steps include developing electricity and water desalination plants in Gaza as well as allowing Palestinian gas drilling off the Gaza coast. It also includes improvements to infrastructure for Palestinians in east Jerusalem.