RAMALLAH, July 7 (JMCC) - Palestinian negotiator
Saeb Erekat has denied reports published in the daily newspaper al-Hayat that Palestinians proposed a land swap of 2.3 percent to the Israeli side in ongoing proximity talks.
The indirect talks are being held through US envoy George Mitchell in a veil of secrecy.
I read this press report and it is regretfully incorrect, Erekat told Voice of Palestine radio. Our positions in the talks are held in complete confidentiality and I can confirm [they] comply entirely with
international law.
The principle of a land swap, in which Palestinians would exchange some land within the occupied
Palestinian territories for land in
Israel, has been accepted before by both sides in bilateral negotiations. The dispute between the two sides lies over the extent of the swap - Israel seeks to retain most settlement blocs in a final peace agreement.
Settlements are illegal under international law, and Palestinians have refused direct negotiations with Israel as long as it continues construction in areas occupied in 1967.