Palestinian leaders are accusing the United States of undermining peace efforts in the Middle East, after U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised Israel for making what she said are "unprecedented" concessions in efforts to restart peace negotiations.
Clinton on Saturday said Israel has offered to limit Jewish settlement expansion in response to Palestinian concerns. Both Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Palestinians had never in the past demanded a settlement freeze as a condition to resume peace talks.
Speaking on Israeli radio Sunday, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat reaffirmed there will be no return to talks until Israel freezes settlement activity.
Clinton met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Saturday in Abu Dhabi and later that day with Mr. Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
She called on Israelis and the Palestinians to resume peace negotiations immediately and without preconditions.