PLO: Quartet should set peace terms

The spokesperson of the Palestinian presidency, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, has called on Quartet on the Middle East (comprising the United Nations, United States, European Union and Russia) to set terms and deadlines for its efforts to boost the peace process between Israel and Palestine. He also said the Quartet must punish parties who do not adhere to the set terms. Rudeineh said that the Palestinian leadership had committed to the terms of the Quartet's previous statement, while the Israeli side violated the agreemend and continued its settlement activities on disputed Palestinian territory. The spokesperson said Israel must acknowledge the viability of the two-state solution, revert to 1967 borders and stop settlement expansion in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, before resuming negotiations. "There will be no problem with bilateral meetings if these steps are taken," said Rudeineh. In related news, a member of the executive committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), Dr Hanan Ashrawi, demanded the Quartet offer concrete plans to solve the political deadlock and volatile situation, while adopting a clear vision to support peace and establish an independent Palestinian state. “Unfortunately, the Quartet have failed to create a resolution for the current political crisis,” said Rudeineh. "Repeatedly urging parties to negotiate instead of stopping the practices of the Israeli occupation will not lead to real peace," she added. She explained that “the obstacles and constraints imposed by Israel will limit the ability of the Palestinian Authority (PA) to continue building the state’s institutions”. “We appreciate the Quartet's interest in providing economic and financial support, but what the Palestinian people need is international backing to end the root of the economic deterioration, which is the occupation and unilateral Israeli practices like the confiscation of Palestinian land and the theft of resources and people's freedom,” Ahsrawi said. The Quartet's statement called for securing $1.1 billion for the PA. It also said both sides should undertake confidence-building measures to resume the peace process. The body also stated that Israel must send settlers who assault Palestinian citizens to trial.