Finance minister said walking out of the assembly was "irrelevant in current diplomacy."
P.M. Netanyahu tries to sooth jittery nation as Syria standoff looms.
Nervous citizens lined up at gas-mask distribution centers, preparing for possible hostilities.
White House strategy remained for president to take hands-off approach.
New round of talks follows six months of diplomacy to restart negotiations that broke down in 2008.
Netanyahu urged ministers to approve release, saying it's important for Israel to restart talks with Palestinians.
Benjamin Netanyahu said a referendum is needed to prevent a rift in Israeli society.
Kerry is shuttling to find a way to coax both sides back into negotiations to craft a two-state solution.
Abbas statements cast new doubt on U.S. efforts to revive long-stalled negotiations.
Palestinians seek an independent state in areas captured by Israel in 1967.
