WASHINGTON, April 16 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged Israel to increase efforts to resume peace talks with the Palestinians.
"Prime Minister (Binyamin) Netanyahu has embraced the vision of the two-state solution," Clinton said at a dinner meeting with Israeli and Arab leaders Thursday. "But easing up on access and movement in the West Bank, in response to credible Palestinian security performance, is not sufficient to prove to the Palestinians that this embrace is sincere."
She added: "We encourage Israel to continue building momentum toward a comprehensive peace by demonstrating respect for the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians, stopping settlement activity and addressing the humanitarian needs in Gaza and to refrain from unilateral statements and actions that could undermine trust or risk prejudicing the outcome of talks."
Palestinians pulled out from scheduled indirect peace talks with Israel after Israeli officials announced Israel would build 1,600 new housing units in East Jerusalem.
The move drew significant ire from the United States, who has since repeatedly called on Jerusalem to stop settlement.
Netanyahu has since ordered a 10-month stop in permits for new homes in the West Bank, a policy that doesn't include East Jerusalem.
