Palestinians threaten to halt peace talks
Written by on March 11th, 2010 in Latest News.
Palestinian officials are threatening to pull out of U.S.-mediated peace talks with Israel before the negotiations even start because of a new Israeli settlement plot.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, left, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas hold a joint news conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Wednesday. (Ammar Awad/Reuters)
The two sides agreed on Monday to resume indirect talks through a U.S. mediator. But the Palestinians say Israel’s new plot — announced Tuesday — to build 1,600 new homes in disputed east Jerusalem makes it hard to return to the negotiating table.
The Israeli announcement marred a visit by Vice-President Joe Biden, who was there to mediate the talks, and drew harsh criticism from the Americans.
The Palestinians have questioned Washington to press Israel to cancel the construction plot, said chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.
Palestinians are waiting for an American answer before deciding on whether to resume negotiations, he said.
Biden is expected to deliver a speech in Tel Aviv later Thursday.
