Hague call to Israel on settlement building

Foreign Secretary William Hague said there was "widespread international concern" that the issue could derail the latest direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Intense efforts to rescue the dialogue were continuing last night under the leadership of the United States and Mr Hague is press the case today in meetings at the United Nations with his American and Israeli counterparts.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told the UN Israel "must choose between peace and the continuation of settlements".

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appealed to settlers, who were planning a demonstration last night, to "display restraint and responsibility".

Mr Hague, MP for Richmond, is attending the UN's General Assembly in New York. Last night he said: "Britain has consistently called on the Israeli government to extend the moratorium on settlement construction, and I renew that call today.

"It is clear from my many meetings with my colleagues at the UN General Assembly that there is widespread international concern at the impact of this issue on the direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

"The moratorium was a key theme of my meetings with President Abbas, Senator (George) Mitchell (the US special envoy to the peace process) and foreign ministers from the Arab world and beyond."

Mr Hague said he would use today's meetings with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman "as part of Britain's efforts to ensure that Britain provides all the support it can to the Middle East peace process at this crucial time".

Direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians stalled only three weeks after starting in Washington in early September over the impending end of the freeze on new Israeli settlements.