US destroying peace process, say Arabs

PALESTINIANS backed by the Arab League yesterday accused the US of destroying the Middle East peace process after Washington signalled it could accept some growth of Israeli settlements.

Until now, the US had demanded a freeze on building Jewish settlements on land occupied in the 1967 Middle East war. The communities are seen as illegal by most of the world, though Israel disputes this.

But the Bush administration signalled flexibility on Saturday on some limited growth in West Bank settlements to help embattled Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as he tries to get a plan for withdrawal from occupied Gaza past his far right.