The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on Friday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of making U.S. efforts to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks harder.

Recent statements by Netanyahu "were a direct challenge to the international community and cast Israel's readiness for peace further into doubt," said Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator.

On Thursday night, Netanyahu stressed that Jerusalem won't be up for negotiations, and described the Palestinian demand to freeze settlement construction before the resumption of the talks as a precondition. He also said that Israel will keep military presence on the eastern borders of the future Palestinian state.

"What are these if not Israeli preconditions on negotiations that erode any foundation of hope for the two-state solution?" Erekat wondered.

Netanyahu made his remarks as the US Middle East peace envoy George Mitchell arrived in the region and met Israeli officials. On Friday, Mitchell is meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Mitchell's visit aims at reviving the peace talks which have been stalled for more than a year.

"What Benjamin Netanyahu basically said is that it does not matter what happens in negotiations. Irrespective of their outcome, Israel's occupation will continue on the ground. Israel will continue to confiscate occupied Palestinian land and continue to maintain a military presence in the Palestinian territory," Erekat said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 23, 2010)