The international Quartet of peacekeeping nations -- comprised of the U.S., Russia, the European Union and the United Nations -- formally called on Israel Thursday to cease all construction and development in areas restored to the country after the 1967 Six Day War. The Quartet also called on the Palestinian Authority to improve law and order, end incitment against Israel and fight violent extremism.
"The Quartet urges the government of Israel to freeze all settlement activity, including natural growth; and to refrain from provocative actions in East Jerusalem," said the Quartet in a statement issued even as one of its most prominent members appeared to back down from the same position. U.S. President Barack Obama had urged Israel to show "restraint" in construction projects in Judea, Samaria and parts of Jerusalem which the Palestinian Authority is demanding to use in the creation of a new Arab state within Israel's current borders.