Mideast Quartet urges extension of Israeli settlement freeze

The Palestinians have repeatedly said that they would not continue the peace talks with Israel if the Jewish state resumes construction in the occupied West Bank, where the Palestinians wish to form their future state.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has nevertheless refused so far to extend a 10-month moratorium on construction which is set to expire next week.
The Quartet, comprising of the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations, also urged both sides to "promote an environment conducive to progress, including by refraining from provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric."
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