News Brief

At a meeting of the Group of Eight foreign ministers' summit in Rome Saturday, members of the Quartet issued a statement demanding that Israel halt all building in Judea and Samaria – including natural growth – while allowing full Arab building in all parts of the country, including Jerusalem. The Quartet includes representatives of the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations.

The statement also called on PA Arabs "to commit themselves to non-violence, recognition of Israel and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations." In addition, it said, "both sides have to stop incitement and violence against civilians."