UN political chief says Middle East talks reach "delicate moment"

The UN political chief told the Security Council Tuesday that Israeli-Palestinian negotiations have reached a "delicate moment," urging both sides to refrain from undermining the renewed peace talks.

"Four months since their resumption, the talks between Israelis and Palestinians have reached a delicate moment," Jeffrey Feltman, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, said in his briefing to the Security Council on developments in the Middle East. "On the positive side, it appears that the negotiators have been engaging on substance and have gone some way towards narrowing their differences, notwithstanding the great difficulties that peace will entail."

Feltman warned that strains have been growing dangerously between the parties and must be overcome.

The two sides resumed direct negotiations in August following a three-year suspension owing to Israel's refusal to extend its freeze on settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Feltman noted that the process suffered "a significant setback" with a series of recent announcements by Israel of its settlement plans in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which the UN has been following with "great concern."

According to him, senior UN officials, including UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon, have reiterated the UN's unequivocal position that settlements are contrary to international law and an obstacle to peace. The UN chief expects Israel to put "a full stop" to these plans, said Feltman.

"In protest over these developments, Palestinian negotiators submitted their resignations, now under consideration by President Abbas, who has nevertheless made it clear that this does not constitute a Palestinian departure from talks," said Feltman. " Parties should now intensify efforts and refrain from actions that undermine trust and the spirit of talks."

The UN political chief also stressed that a two-state solution remains the only way to fully realize the legitimate aspirations of both peoples for self-determination, peace and security.

"The consequences of failure would be dire for Israelis and Palestinians alike" Feltman said. "We thus continue to urge the parties to remain steadfast in their commitment to see this process through."

"But we fear that unless steps are taken to prevent the reoccurrence of negative developments such as those of recent weeks, the remaining chances to achieve a negotiated two-state solution may be irreparably damaged," he added.