Middle East envoy George Mitchell has returned to Israel and the Occupied Territories for talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. It’s Mitchell’s first visit with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since Netanyahu renewed his refusal to halt East Jerusalem settlement construction last week. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Israel’s ongoing settlement expansion is undermining peace talks.

Saeb Erekat: “President Abbas will be receiving Senator Mitchell tomorrow night, and we are doing every possible effort in order to give Senator — President Obama and Senator Mitchell the chance to commence and begin the proximity talks. As Arabs, as Palestinians, we have said yes to these proximity talks last month. The Netanyahu government responded with 1,600 ’no’s by introducing 1,600 housing units in the settlement of Ramat Shlomo in East Jerusalem.”