By Xinhua
Gaza : Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said on Thursday that Israel’s settlement activities and the remaining army checkpoints in the West Bank harmed the Middle East peace process.
In an interview with Voice of Palestine radio, Erekat said the continuation of settlement activities in the West Bank harmed the peace process and delayed the progress of Palestinian-Israeli peace talks that were relaunched in November 2007.
He continued that the remaining of Israeli army checkpoints between West Bank communities would ruin the mission of Mideast envoy Tony Blair of the Quartet which groups the U.S., the EU, the UN and Russia.
The desired goals of a donors conference held in Paris last month would be thwarted if Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak kept the roadblocks in the West Bank, Erekat added.
“Only the U.S. administration can compel Israel to perform its commitments and obligations within the Road Map peace plan,” Erekat underlined.
During the U.S.-hosted conference in Annapolis in November 2007, Israel and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) agreed to resume talks on final-status issues, including the settlements.
But shortly after the conference, Israel appealed for tenders to expand a disputed settlement in east Jerusalem, sparking Palestinian anger.
Palestinians look for an active U.S. role to pave the way for launching serious talks with Israel as U.S. President George W. Bush is due to visit the region next week.