As expected, the Israeli settlement activities predominated over the new negotiations session held yesterday between the Palestinian delegation headed by Ahmad Qurei' and the Israeli delegation headed by Israeli FM Livni. Palestinian sources said the Palestinian delegation re-affirmed the position on the need to halt all Israeli settlement activities, demanding once again from Israel to honor its commitments as mentioned in the roadmap and as agreed at Annapolis Conference. Dr. Saeb Erekat said the negotiations round was very difficult. He said: if the settlement activities don’t stop, we cannot start final status negotiations and we refuse to start final status negotiations until this happens.

One of the assistants of Livni said: The Palestinians demanded a complete halt of settlement activities and the Israeli side demanded from the Palestinians to honor their commitments on striking the armed groups and improve security in the West Bank and in Gaza Strip too.

Erekat and Livni's assistant said both sides agreed on holding a meeting between President Abbas and Israeli PM Olmert within the coming few days.

Erekat said: Israel has to choose between the path of negotiations and peace or settlements and occupation.

Published at Al Ayyam NewsPaper on December 25, 2007