Middle East

Israeli settlements overshadow peace talks

Article published on the 2008-06-02 Latest update 2008-06-02 15:01 TU

Ehud Olmert (R) with Mahmoud Abbas in January 2008.
(Photo : Reuters)

The announcement that new Israeli settlements will be constructed in East Jerusalem cast a pall over a new round of meetings between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Jerusalem Monday. Israel announced that 884 new houses would be constructed on Palestinian land Thursday evening, provoking some strong comments from Abbas, who called the construction “colonisation”, and said that it was the principal barrier to peace.

Hamas, Abbas’ political rivals in Palestinian territories, called the negotiations a “farce” and accused Abbas of legitimising Israeli colonisation of Palestinian land by attending the talks so shortly after the latest announcement.

The success of these peace talks appears more and more remote, as Olmert himself may not be in power much longer. The Israeli Prime Minister’s political future is uncertain after a new corruption scandal has led to calls for his resignation.

Monday’s meeting was the first between the two leaders since 5 May and comes just before Olmert is scheduled to fly to Washington to meet with US President George W. Bush.