Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said here on Monday that Israel's "hermetic" blockade is turning the West Bank into a "big prison" like the Gaza Strip.
"The situation on the ground indicates that the (Israeli) siege and closure continue to be hermetic," Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth quoted Erekat as saying, "The West Bank is turning into one big prison, just like Gaza."
The remarks came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met Monday afternoon for the first time in over six weeks to discuss the peace process.
The Palestinian negotiators demanded more freedom of movement across the West Bank during the meeting, while their counterparts insisted the Palestinian side rein in militants, according to Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev.
On Sunday, Israeli Defense Ministry said the Israel Defense Forces dismantled another 10 roadblocks in the West Bank, bringingto 60 the total number of roadblocks razed since Israel promised U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to ease movement restrictions imposed on the Palestinians.
However, Erekat on Monday termed Israel's recent declarations regarding the removal of roadblocks as "nothing more than a PR stunt," saying that "there is no apparent change."
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article