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.

“I do not believe that America says now that settlements can be expanded. This thwarts and destroys the peace process,” Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie said.

Palestinians, who fear uprooting the Gaza settlers is a cover for strengthening Israel’s hold on bigger West Bank enclaves, said the US was tearing up its own peace “road map”.

“For the United States to take such positions ... can only damage the peace process, if it exists, and damage the whole situation and make it more difficult,” Arab League secretary-general Amr Moussa said.

A senior US administration official, commenting on Israel’s plan to build 1,000 more settler homes, said on Saturday: “There is some flexibility there.”

While the White House denied any official change in the US stance, an official said efforts were under way to clarify with the Israelis what “settlement activity” means.