[ … which is a giant pity – because it’s the construction of these ‘settlements’ that is causing the whole conflict ]
The United States on Tuesday abandoned its effort to persuade Israel to freeze construction of Jewish settlements, officials said,
dealing a blow to efforts to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
“We reached the conclusion this is not the time to renew direct negotiation by renewing the moratorium,” a senior U.S. diplomat told reporters in Israel, ending weeks of intense U.S. diplomacy aimed at forging a settlement deal.
Palestinians have said they would not engage in any direct talks while Israelis build on territory seized in the 1967 Middle East War.
