Middle East Quartet condemns Israel over Jerusalem settlements

The Middle East Quartet set a deadline today for a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians after condemning plans to build new Jewish homes in Jerusalem. Meeting in Moscow as Israeli jets launched air strikes over the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a Palestinian rocket attack, the international diplomatic mission sought to revive plans for indirect negotiations that collapsed over the decision to build 1,600 homes in the disputed capital. The group also comprised US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the European Union’s foreign policy chief Baroness Ashton of Upholland, as well as Tony Blair, who represents the Quartet in the region. The leaders gave no details of how they intend to achieve their target. Raw Story: Quartet tells Israel to halt settlement activity. AWIP: Israel plans massive settlement expansion.