PA rejects settlement 'agreements' between US, Israel

Date: 25 / 05 / 2009  Time:  13:43
Bethlehem – Ma’an –

Palestinian presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rdeina on Monday described agreements between former Israeli and US governments on proceeding with settlement construction as illegal and non-binding.

“Settlement activities should be halted completely to lay the ground for resuming serious negotiations, which could lead to a real outcome,” he said.

Abu Rdeina asserted that the Israeli government would have to halt all settlement activity including so-called natural growth in all settlements including those in Jerusalem. He also maintained that all settlement outposts must be evacuated in accordance with the Road Map plan, regarding which the international community is in agreement.

Abu Rdeina’s comments came in response to Israeli news reports that quoted the country's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that he will seek US approval for enlarging major Israeli settlements in accordance with "demographic growth," while new settlements will not be green-lighted, nor will new lands be annexed for settlement activities.

“We refuse all aspects of settlement, and settlements should be evacuated in order to reach a final-status, permanent agreement,” Abu Rdeina said. He asserted that President Mahmoud Abbas would focus on that demand during his visit to the US to meet US President Barack Obama, scheduled for 28 May.

He explained that the needed equation is to stop settlement, speed up efforts toward a two-state solution, "which will be the test for the US administration."

Meanwhile, Abu Rdeina described the current US administration’s attitude regarding Jerusalem as encouraging. However, he said, this attitude should be materialized through deeds and a political move toward achieving peace. This move should differ from the former US administration’s policy, he said.

Abu Rodeina: Settlements are illegal; Israel must implement the Road Map Peace Plan

Monday May 25, 2009 13:43 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Nabil Abu Rudaina, spokesperson of the Palestinian presidency, stated Monday that previous understandings between the former US administration and Israel regarding allowing Israel to keep settlements and outposts are illegal and violate the International Law.

He stated that what is needed now is obliging the Israeli government to stop all of the settlement activities in the occupied West Bank and in occupied East Jerusalem, including what Israel calls “natural growth of settlements”.

Abu Rudaina stated that the recent statements of Washington regarding Israeli settlements are encouraging but should be followed with action and real American moves towards peace.

“Israel should stop its settlement activities, this also includes Jerusalem”, he said, “Israel must dismantle all settlement outposts as stated in the Road Map Peace Plan”.

Furthermore, Abu Rudaina said that halting all settlement activities clears the road towards serious talks and outcome.

His statements came after Israeli sources reported that Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is seeking an understanding with the US administration to allow Israel to keep its settlement blocs, and to continue what Israel describes as natural growth of settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

“All settlements are illegal, they all should be removed under a final status deal”, Abu Rudaina said, “President Abbas would demand Israel to halt all of its settlement activities during his White House meeting with Obama”.

He also said that the two-state solution should be implemented, and settlements should be halted.

“This is the real test for the US administration”, he added, “We want fast intervention from the US if the country is determined to achieve an acceptable and fair solution”.