Saturday, 19 February 2011
Foreign Secretary William Hague has called on Israel and the Palestinians to return to the negotiating table after the US vetoed a draft United Nations Security Council resolution condemning the building of settlements on occupied land.
Britain joined France, Germany and 11 other members of the Security Council in backing the Palestinian-tabled resolution but the USA used its blocking vote, as a permanent member of the 15-country council, to quash the draft, on the grounds that it risked hardening the position of both sides in peace negotiations.
The talks have been suspended since September over Israel's refusal to extend its 2010 moratorium on settlement building and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas' refusal to return to the table until the Israeli government halts construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Speaking after yesterday's vote, Mr Hague said: "I have made clear my serious concern about the current stalemate in the Middle East peace process.
Read the whole story on: independent.co.uk
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