Arab League committee calls for withdrawing Arab support for Israeli-Palestinian talks

Arab League calls for ending support for talks

CAIRO — The Arab League has recommended withdrawing support for indirect talks between Palestinians and Israelis due to recent announcements of new settlement building.

The league’s Arab peace initiative committee on Wednesday called for a meeting of Arab foreign ministers to reconsider their support for the talks they extended on March 3.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas agreed to a proposal to resume U.S.-mediated peace negotiations with the Israelis after 14 month hiatus due to the backing from Arab countries.

The committee said Israel’s announcement Tuesday to build 1,600 new housing units showed it was not serious about negotiating.

The committee said if the Israeli moves are not halted immediately the talks would have “no meaning.”