The US administration led by Barack Obama faces a formidable challenge, with the failure of past talks looming over the latest effort under way.

Many of the issues remain unresolved since the creation of Israel in 1948, as both the Palestinian and Israeli sides meet in Washington this week.

Top-level talks in search of the elusive peace deal broke off in 2008 when Israel invaded the Palestinian Gaza Strip.

Al Jazeera's Jerusalem correspondent Jacky Rowland looks back at missed opportunities. (Sept 01, 2010)