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Quartet urges settlement freeze Quartet urges settlement freeze
(about 1 hour later)
The international Quartet of Middle East peace mediators has called on Israel to freeze all settlement activity.The international Quartet of Middle East peace mediators has called on Israel to freeze all settlement activity.
Speaking for the Quartet, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned Israel's announcement of plans to build new homes in disputed East Jerusalem.Speaking for the Quartet, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned Israel's announcement of plans to build new homes in disputed East Jerusalem.
The announcement undermined US efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian talks. The announcement has undermined US efforts to restart indirect Israeli-Palestinian talks.
Mr Ban met other senior Quartet officials, from the US, EU and Russia, in Moscow. Mr Ban met Quartet foreign ministers from the US, EU and Russia in Moscow.
"The Quartet urges the government of Israel to freeze all settlement activity, including natural growth, dismantle outposts erected since March 2001 and to refrain from demolitions and evictions in East Jerusalem," Mr Ban said."The Quartet urges the government of Israel to freeze all settlement activity, including natural growth, dismantle outposts erected since March 2001 and to refrain from demolitions and evictions in East Jerusalem," Mr Ban said.
Recalling that the annexation of East Jerusalem is not recognised by the international community, the Quartet... condemns the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem Ban Ki-moonUN Secretary General Jerusalem's tinder-box Israel-US: Bruised friendship Borders and settlementsRecalling that the annexation of East Jerusalem is not recognised by the international community, the Quartet... condemns the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem Ban Ki-moonUN Secretary General Jerusalem's tinder-box Israel-US: Bruised friendship Borders and settlements
He was meeting the foreign ministers of the US and Russia - Hillary Clinton and Sergei Lavrov - and the EU's new foreign policy chief Baroness Ashton.He was meeting the foreign ministers of the US and Russia - Hillary Clinton and Sergei Lavrov - and the EU's new foreign policy chief Baroness Ashton.
In a strongly-worded statement, the Quartet condemned Israel's announcement last week of planning permission for 1,600 new housing units in East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel since 1967. In a strongly worded statement, the Quartet condemned Israel's announcement last week of planning permission for 1,600 new housing units in East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel since 1967.
After the announcement, the Palestinians declared they could not begin US-brokered indirect, or "proximity", talks with the Israelis.After the announcement, the Palestinians declared they could not begin US-brokered indirect, or "proximity", talks with the Israelis.
"Recalling that the annexation of East Jerusalem is not recognised by the international community, the Quartet underscores that the status of Jerusalem is a permanent status issue that must be resolved through negotiations between the parties, and condemns the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem," Mr Ban said."Recalling that the annexation of East Jerusalem is not recognised by the international community, the Quartet underscores that the status of Jerusalem is a permanent status issue that must be resolved through negotiations between the parties, and condemns the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem," Mr Ban said.
He stated the goal of an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement - including a Palestinian state - within two years.He stated the goal of an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement - including a Palestinian state - within two years.
Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat welcomed the Quartet statement and urged the creation of a "surveillance mechanism installed by the Quartet to make sure that Israel does effectively halt completely all settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem".Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat welcomed the Quartet statement and urged the creation of a "surveillance mechanism installed by the Quartet to make sure that Israel does effectively halt completely all settlement activity in the West Bank and East Jerusalem".
The pressure is now on the Israelis to offer concessions that will convince the Palestinians to participate in talks, says the BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow.The pressure is now on the Israelis to offer concessions that will convince the Palestinians to participate in talks, says the BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow.
Gaza violenceGaza violence
Events in the Middle East on Thursday highlighted the difficulties the Quartet faces. Events on Friday in the Middle East highlighted the difficulties the Quartet faces.
Tensions are high over Israel's new settlement plansTensions are high over Israel's new settlement plans
A rocket fired from the Gaza Strip killed a Thai agricultural worker when it hit an Israeli kibbutz. Palestinians in the West Bank town of Hebron threw stones at Israeli security forces, who fired tear gas in return.
And a rocket was fired into southern Israel from the Gaza Strip. It caused no injuries, but came a day after a rocket attack killed a Thai agricultural worker when it hit an Israeli kibbutz.
Israeli aircraft attacked up to six targets in Gaza overnight but there were no reports of any serious casualties.Israeli aircraft attacked up to six targets in Gaza overnight but there were no reports of any serious casualties.
The violence came as Baroness Ashton visited Gaza - one of the highest-level visits there by a Western official since the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas took power. On the eve of the Quartet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton of new confidence-building measures that could be taken, but no details have been given.
On the eve of the Quartet meeting, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu informed US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton of new confidence-building measures that could be taken, but no details have been given.
It is likely this means a goodwill gesture by the Israelis, like the release of Palestinian prisoners, says the BBC's Kim Ghattas, travelling with Mrs Clinton.It is likely this means a goodwill gesture by the Israelis, like the release of Palestinian prisoners, says the BBC's Kim Ghattas, travelling with Mrs Clinton.
Enough progress was apparently made in their telephone conversation for George Mitchell, Washington's Middle East envoy, to travel to the region this weekend.Enough progress was apparently made in their telephone conversation for George Mitchell, Washington's Middle East envoy, to travel to the region this weekend.
Mr Netanyahu is to visit Washington next week for further talks with Mrs Clinton.Mr Netanyahu is to visit Washington next week for further talks with Mrs Clinton.
At the heart of the conflict are disputes over the status of Jerusalem, the borders of Israel and a future Palestinian state and the fate of Palestinian refugees.At the heart of the conflict are disputes over the status of Jerusalem, the borders of Israel and a future Palestinian state and the fate of Palestinian refugees.