Today, members of the international "quartet" on the settlement of the Middle East situation - Russia, U.S., EU and UN - has called on the Palestinian leadership and the Israeli government to start indirect talks, which should lead to the launch of direct dialogue.
At a joint press conference in Moscow, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon reiterated its commitment to the proximity talks, which are the only way to restart direct talks to discuss a final cease-fire agreement between Palestine and Israel, Russia 24 television channel reported.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the United States hopes to launch these negotiations soon. The talks will last for 24 months and should eventually lead to direct negotiations, she added.
The members of the international "quartet" also condemned Israel's decision on the construction of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and called for an immediate freeze of settlement activity, even in areas where it is conducted due to the natural growth of the Israeli population.
"Israel and Palestine must act within international law and respect all their international obligations under the road map," Ki-moon said. "Israel must stop building settlements, lift restrictions on movement in the West Bank and stop the demolition of Palestinian homes."
