Middle East Quartet calls for 'meaningful' Israel-Palestinians talks
Quartet holds virtual meeting, warns against 'unilateral actions' harming prospect of two-state solution
The four members of the so-called Middle East quartet discussed the resumption of "meaningful negotiations" to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in their first meeting since US President Joe Biden took office.
The body, which comprises the US, Russia, the EU and the UN, met virtually on Tuesday, a UN statement said.
"The Envoys... met virtually to discuss returning to meaningful negotiations that will lead to a two-state solution, including tangible steps to advance freedom, security and prosperity for Palestinians and Israelis, which is important in its own right," it said.
They discussed "the need for the parties to refrain from unilateral actions that make a two-state solution more difficult to achieve," in an apparent reference to Jewish settlement expansion in the West Bank.
The meeting came as Israel was holding its fourth election in less than two years, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeking to extend his record of 12 consecutive years in power.
The quartet fell largely dormant during the administration of former President Donald Trump, seen by Palestinians as biased toward Israel.
The former president remained quiet as Israel announced new projects to broaden its control of the West Bank.
Biden has indicated his administration will not b as welcoming toward settlement construction works.