The Palestinians say they cannot return to peace talks as long as Israel continues to settle Jews on occupied Arab land.

    Speaking in Ramallah on Saturday, senior Palestinian executive Nabil Shaat said an end to Israeli settlement activity must be included into the latest peace push by the Middle East mediators Russia, the United States, the United Nations and the European Union.

    Meeting in New York last weekend in the immediate wake of the Palestinian sovereignty and UN membership bid, delegates from the quartet including the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov issued a statement urging Israel and the Palestinians to resume direct peace negotiations.