Israeli Defense Chief Urges Palestinians Not to Miss Chance for Peace
By VOA News
21 September 2009
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak says he fears the Palestinians will miss an opportunity for peace if they continue demanding Israel stop building Jewish settlements.
The comments were published in The New York Times newspaper Monday, a day before U.S. President Barack Obama is to host a joint meeting with the Israeli and Palestinian leaders in New York.
The Israeli defense chief says Mr. Obama has clearly pledged to use his political influence to make sure there is an independent Palestinian state, and to solve core issues in two years.
Barak says this is an opportunity not to be missed.
Palestinian leaders say Israel's refusal to freeze settlement construction in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem is holding up the peace efforts.
The United States also is urging Israel to stop the construction.
Israel instead has offered to hold off on new projects, while continuing to build about 3,000 Jewish homes in the West Bank.
Palestinian leaders say building more Jewish homes on land Israel captured in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War threatens their efforts to create a viable state.
Israeli leaders say some construction is necessary to allow for "natural growth" in its West Bank settlements.
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