Brazil's president on Friday called on Israel to stop building new settlements in occupied areas claimed by Palestinians for a future state. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Brazil “understands that any new settlement in Palestinian territory should immediately be halted.” He said expansion of settlements should be frozen and Palestinian borders guaranteed. Lula spoke after a meeting with visiting Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the city of Salvador. Abbas also plans to visit Argentina and Chile. The Brazilian president earlier told two local radio stations that the United Nations should coordinate Middle East negotiations—not the United States, which he said is “one of those responsible” for the crisis.
