Palestinians threaten to halt peace talks
Plan to build 1,600 new Israeli homes at centre of dispute
Last Updated: Thursday, March 11, 2010 | 8:03 AM ET
The Associated Press
Related
Palestinian officials are threatening to pull out of U.S.-mediated peace talks with Israel before the negotiations even start because of a new Israeli housing construction plan.
The two sides agreed on Monday to resume indirect talks through a U.S. mediator. But the Palestinians say Israel's new plan — announced Tuesday — to build 1,600 new homes in disputed east Jerusalem makes it difficult to return to the negotiating table.
U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden, left, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas hold a joint news conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Wednesday. (Ammar Awad/Reuters) In a bid to calm the diplomatic row between the two countries, U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden opened a high-profile speech in Israel on Thursday with warm words of praise for the Jewish state.
The vice-president told the audience at Tel Aviv University on Thursday the U.S. has "no better friend" than Israel. He also spoke about his long connection to Israel.
Earlier this week, Biden condemned Israel's plan, saying it undermined trust in peace efforts.
Israel has apologized for embarrassing Biden but has not backed down from the construction plan.
Biden is in Israel to help restart peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
The Palestinians have asked Washington to press Israel to cancel the construction plan, said chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.
Palestinians are waiting for an American answer before deciding on whether to resume negotiations, he said.
Share Tools
Top News Headlines
- Athens burns as Greece bailout passed
- Riots engulfed central Athens and at least 10 buildings went up in flames in mass protests late Sunday as lawmakers prepared for a parliamentary vote on harsh austerity measures aimed at keeping the country solvent. more »
- Quebec town 'heartbroken' after killing of woman, sisters
- A small Quebec town is in mourning Sunday after a Quebec man was charged with killing his nieces and his mother, who were found dead in their family home. more »
- Whitney Houston's body set for autopsy
- Investigators worked Sunday to piece together what killed Whitney Houston as the music industry's biggest names prepared for a Grammy Awards show that will undoubtedly feel as much like a memorial as a celebration. more »
- Musicians who died before their time
- The growing list of musicians who have died young. more »
Latest World News Headlines
- Athens burns as Greece bailout passed
- Riots engulfed central Athens and at least 10 buildings went up in flames in mass protests late Sunday as lawmakers prepared for a parliamentary vote on harsh austerity measures aimed at keeping the country solvent. more »
- Child rescued from Kosovo avalanche that killed 9
- Rescuers have pulled a child alive from the rubble of a house flattened by a massive avalanche that killed both her parents and at least seven of her relatives in a remote mountain village in southern Kosovo. more »
- Italy cruise ship fuel being pumped out
- Underwater pumping operations began Sunday to remove some of the 1.9 million litres of fuel aboard the Costa Concordia, officials said, nearly a month after the cruise ship ran aground off the Italy's Tuscan coast. more »
- Syria observer mission head steps down
- The Sudanese head of the Arab League's observer mission to Syria has resigned, as the group was to consider a proposal to revive its suspended mission, officials said. more »
Dispatches »
- Inside Egyptian military's business web Feb. 10, 2012 1:51 PM When it got out of the business of war with Israel, Egypt's military got into the business of business. Over and under the table; on and off the books. Even using conscripts as cheap labour. CBC's Margaret Evans found shopkeeping generals rather reluctant to talk shop though.
Connect Newsroom Blog
Siege in Syria, Ship Rescue & The Pickton Inquiry Feb. 9, 2012 8:08 PM We'll talk to a Syrian-American doctor tonight about whether the Assad regime is using medicine as a weapon.
- Pop queen Whitney Houston dies at 48
- Whitney Houston's body set for autopsy
- Athens burns as Greece bailout passed
- Carleton University confirms death of student
- Ultimate Tazer Ball combines shock and soccer
- Whitney Houston's death sparks chorus of grief
- Adults-only trade show cancelled in B.C. Bible belt
- Quebec man charged with killing mother, 2 nieces
- Attawapiskat receives first modular home
