Arab foreign ministers have rejected President Obama’s call to normalize their relations with Israel even though Israel has refused to stop expanding Israeli settlements. A seven-year-old Arab League peace plan offers Israel a comprehensive peace deal in return for its complete withdrawal from the Occupied Territories and the creation of a Palestinian state there. Despite his pledge to seek peace, President Obama has refused to fully endorse the Arab offer — only its provision regarding Arab recognition of Israel. On Wednesday, Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said the settlements remain the key issue.

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa: “Regarding the settlements, we disagree 100 percent with whomever claims that settlements do not undermine peace. Settlements destroy peace. Settlements prevent negotiations. Settlements stop peace efforts if they are underway.”

A full withdrawal from the Occupied Territories would require the dismantling of large Israeli settlements that carve up the West Bank. But President Obama has only called on Israel to meet its pledge to halt settlement expansion, a pledge that Israel has now even renounced.