4:05pm UK, Friday March 19, 2010

Dominic Waghorn,
Middle East correspondent

Israel has been condemned for a second time in a week by the Middle East Quartet for plans to build new settlement homes on disputed land in East Jerusalem.

Leaders of the Quartet, made up of the US, UN, Europe and Russia, repeated their censure of Israel.

The criticism was mitigated by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, however, who said Israel has made some steps to meet international concerns on the issue.

Palestinians welcomed the news, but called on the Quartet to prove it has the means to enforce its will among the Israelis.

Chief negotiator Saeb Erakat said: “We welcome the statement and we urge the Quartet to turn its statements into binding mechanisms on the ground so that Israel honours its commitments, above all halting all settlement activity in all the Palestinian territories – the West Bank and East Jerusalem.”

The Quartet was established to impose a united front on the Middle East’s rival groups and governments.

But it has failed to make a significant difference in promoting peace efforts here.

Its statement from Moscow is long on condemnation but short on proposals that will actually revive the peace process.

Vice President Joe Biden during his recent visit to Israel

Plans for indirect peace talks were stillborn during Vice President Joe Biden’s visit here, killed off by reaction to Israel‘s announcement of 1,600 new settler homes in East Jerusalem.

Reports in both Israeli and US media claim both countries have reached an understanding resolving the crisis between them caused by the announcement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hillary Clinton spoke in a late night phone call.

She described the Israeli leaders response as “useful and productive”.

This weekend, US Middle East Envoy George Mitchell returns to try to revive peace efforts.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who has been severely critical of Israel’s blockade of the territory, will also be here.