Erekat: Quartet should question Israel for settlement activities
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Xinhua, December 14, 2011
International mediators should question Israel's government for continuing Jewish settlement activities in occupied Palestinian territories, a Palestinian official said Wednesday.
"It's time for the Quartet to take a serious stance and stop dealing with Israel as a state above the law," Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian negotiator, told Voice of Palestine radio.
Erekat's remarks came as representative of the Quartet, which comprises the United States, European Union, Russia and United Nations, started the third round of proximity talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
The separate talks between the Quartet, Palestinians and Israel focus on security and border issues. They come under a three-month ultimatum that ends on Jan. 26. It aimed at defusing tensions between the Palestinians and the Obama administration which opposes Palestinian bid for a UN membership.
Erekat said that the Palestinian side presented its vision about security and borders to the Quartet, but Israel did not. " The positions of the Israeli government destroy any chance of creating an independent Palestinian state." On Monday, Israel approved the building of 40 houses near a settlement close to the holy city of Bethlehem. The Palestinian leadership condemned the Israeli move.
Last year, resumption of settlement activities in the West Bank broke down peace talks weeks after the United States brokered them. No direct negotiations have been held between the two sides since then and the Palestinians sought unilateral recognition of statehood from the UN.
Settlement activities will prevail in the discussions between the Quartet and the parties to the Middle East peace process.
With low expectations, Erekat will head the Palestinian team in the discussions with the Quartet. David Hale, the U.S. peace envoy, will represent the United States in the negotiations.
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