Ramallah, West Bank (CNN) -- Palestinian officials met with U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell on Thursday and called for Israel to halt settlement activities, the chief Palestinian negotiator said.
"We requested the Israeli government to halt all settlement activities including natural growth to give the peace process a chance it deserves," said Saeb Erakat, speaking to reporters in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
"We are not against the direct negotiations and its continuation, but the one who owns the key to these negotiations and its continuation is the Israeli prime minister," Erakat said, referring to Benjamin Netanyahu.
An Israeli settlement freeze expired on Sunday and more construction started just hours later. That's sparked concern that the controversial issue could become a sticking point that would stall face-to-face talks between Palestinians and Israelis, which resumed earlier this month after an 18-month hiatus.
Palestinian officials have previously said that if building resumes on territory they consider part of a future Palestinian state, they will walk away from the negotiations.
There are news reports that U.S. and Palestinian negotatiators are trying to persuade Israel to extend the freeze at least for another two months.
CNN
