The Hill News

In his address marking Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, President Obama on Tuesday called for a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

Following a week in which both sides sat down for direct negotiations for the first time in nearly two years, Obama urged support for the talks.

"And at a time when Israelis and Palestinians have returned to direct dialogue, it is up to us to encourage and support those who are willing to move beyond their differences and work towards security and peace in the Holy Land," he said. "Progress will not come easy, it will not come quick. But today we had an opportunity to move forward, toward the goal we share â€" two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security."

Peace negotiations wrapped up between Israeli, Palestinian and U.S. leaders with a promise to meet again early next month. 

Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest occasions on the Jewish calendar, begins Tuesday at sundown and lasts until Thursday evening. 

Last year on Rosh Hashanah, Obama addressed the peace process, which at the time had been stalled for months on end.

"And let us work to achieve lasting peace and security for the state of Israel, so that the Jewish state is fully accepted by its neighbors, and its children can live their dreams free from fear," he said. "That is why my administration is actively pursuing the lasting peace that has eluded Israel and its Arab neighbors for so long."