WASHINGTON ANNOUNCED yesterday that Israel and the Palestinians have agreed to start indirect peace talks, but the Palestinians accused Israel of trying to sabotage negotiations before they even begin.
Palestinian officials were responding to the Israeli decision to build 112 new homes in the settlement of Beitar Illit near Bethlehem. The announcement came just a few hours before US vice-president Joe Biden landed in Israel at the start of a four-day regional visit.
Mr Biden will meet Israeli leaders today and travel to Ramallah tomorrow for talks with Palestinian leaders.
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas demanded explanations about the new Israeli settlement building when he met in Ramallah yesterday with US peace envoy George Mitchell, who will mediate between the sides when the “proximity” talks get under way in the coming weeks.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said: “If the Israeli government wants to sabotage Mitchell’s efforts by taking such steps, let’s talk to Mitchell about maybe not doing this if the price is so high.”
The new construction came despite the 10-month freeze announced by the Israeli government in November. Israeli officials explained that the project was approved by the previous government and is one of the exceptions allowed during the moratorium.
Mr Abbas presented Mr Mitchell with a document outlining the Palestinian vision for an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza with only minor border adjustments.
Mr Mitchell expressed the hope that the proximity talks would develop into direct negotiations, but he urged the sides to avoid taking unilateral steps. “We encourage the parties to refrain from any statements or actions which may inflame tensions or prejudice the outcome of these talks,” he said.
Mr Erekat described the indirect talks as the last chance for peace. “The relationship has deteriorated to this stage where the US is trying to save this peace process with the last attempt in order to see if it can be a tool to make decisions between Palestinians and Israelis,” he told Israel Army Radio.
Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu said there was now a chance to end the deadlock. “The diplomatic process is not a game, it’s the real thing, and it’s rooted first of all in security.”
Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak said the proximity talks would continue until they develop into direct negotiations in which every issue can be on the table.