...an organization of Arabic-speaking states with 22 member countries and four observers. The League tries to achieve Arab consensus on issues, which usually leaves them doing nothing but a bit of grimacing and mustache cursing...
, hoping for action to halt Israeli settlement.
A statement by the executive committee of the Paleostine Liberation Organization said continued settlement growth in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem was liable "to destroy all chances of a grinding of the peace processor and the two-state solution."
"We shall go to the Security Council to discuss (it)," said the statement, read by PLO Secretary General
Yasser Abed Rabbo... Paleostinian politician and a member of the Paleostine Liberation Organization's (PLO) Executive Committee. He holds an M.A. in economics and political science from the American University in Cairo.....
. "We shall invite the vaporous Arab League at the highest level to follow up on this matter.'
It did not say when it hoped the bodies would convene.
The international peacemaking
Quartet... The Quartet are the UN (xylophone), the United States (alto), the European Union (soprano), and Russia (shortstop). The group was established in Madrid in 2002 by former Spanish Prime Minister Aznar, as a result of the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Tony Blair is the Quartet's current Special Envoy....
of the United Nations
...aka the Oyster Bay Chowder and Marching Society...
, the United States, Russia and the European Union
...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing...
has given the parties until January 26 to submit comprehensive proposals on territory and security.
Earlier this month Britannia, La Belle France, Germany and Portugal led condemnation by Security Council members of increased settlement construction in the occupied territories and growing attacks by settlers on Paleostinians.
That enraged Israel, which said the Europeans were in danger of making themselves "irrelevant."
Israeli construction of settlements in east Jerusalem and the West Bank is one of the thorniest issues of the Israeli-Paleostinian conflict, scuppering direct negotiations between the sides that began in September 2010 and ground to a halt shortly afterwards when a 10-month Israeli settlement freeze ended.
Israel declined to renew the freeze and the Paleostinians say they will not hold talks while settlement construction continues.
Efforts by the Quartet to bring the parties back to the table have so far failed.
The Paleostinians have sought U.N. censure over settlements before, most recently in February when the United States vetoed a Security Council resolution condemning Israeli construction in the occupied territory.