Erekat criticizes Israel expansion plan

RAMALLAH, West Bank, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Efforts to achieve a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians may be hampered by Israel's decision to expand a settlement near Jerusalem.

The chief negotiator for the Palestinians, Saeb Erekat, said Israel's plan violates signed accords, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported Monday.

"The Israeli side should select either peace or settlement (and) no combination of the two simultaneously," Erekat said.

Erekat has asked the United States and other members of the peace quartet (Russia, United Nations, European Union) to judge whether Israel's decision to build new housing at the Jabal Abu Ghneim settlement is in keeping with existing accords.

There was no immediate statement from the Israeli government concerning Erekat's charge.