Palestinians say Israel wants to impose peace
Palestinian envoy to UN says total settlement freeze 'essential' before direct negotiations are launched. Israeli ambassador urges international community to prevent Lebanese ships from trying to sail to Gaza 07.21.10, 21:08 The Palestinian envoy to the UN is accusing Israel of talking peace while carrying out "illegal schemes" to try to impose the settlement it wants before peace negotiations start.
Riyad Mansour said Israeli actions, including settlement construction and demolition of Palestinian homes in east Jerusalem and over 900 military incursions in the West Bank in the last three months, are seriously hampering progress in indirect talks with Israel mediated by the United States.
He told the UN Security Council on Wednesday that the international community must stop appeasing Israel.
Israel's UN Ambassador Gabriela Shalev called for direct negotiations with the Palestinians with "no preconditions, no delays" but the Palestinian observer said a total settlement freeze "is essential" first. In her speech, Shalev also addressed reports of another flotilla that is scheduled to leave Lebanon for the Gaza Strip. She called on the international community to prevent the sail, warning of the dangers such a voyage entails. The ambassador also urged the international community to work toward the immediate release of captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. |
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