Condoleezza Rice Pushes Israel to Lift Restrictions

Facing Mounting Palestinian frustration at the pace of peace talks, the United States leaned on Israel on Sunday to lift restrictions that chafe West Bank residents and stifle an already limping economy. Secretary of State Rice did not directly criticize close U.S. ally Israel, but had unusually direct remarks about the consequences of Israeli housing and roadblocks in the West Bank. Palestinian claims that Israel is deliberately expanding Jewish settlements on land the Palestinians claim for a state, have dampened the high hopes for a peace deal before President bush leaves office next year. When asked about settlements, Rice said that she continues to raise with the Israelis the importance of creating an atmosphere that is conducive to negotiations.

Rice Pushes for Mid-East Progress

Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice is in Israel to press for progress on a major international conference on the creation of a future Palestinian state. She will meet Palestinian and Israeli leaders to agree a framework for the meeting, which is expected to take place in the United States in late November. She has warned she is not expecting any imminent breakthroughs. Palestinians want a list of specific differences to be on the table, while Israel wants a more general statement.

Bush and the Middle East Conflict

President Bush is set to renew his commitment to Mideast peace and announce new aid to help the embattled Palestinian president create a viable state that can exist with Israel. Bush, taking on a more personal, high-profile role in the conflict, planned to speak July 16, at the White House about U.S. financial and diplomatic support for President Mahmoud Abbas. He controls just the West Bank after the Islamic militants group Hamas gained authority in Gaza in June.