The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) accused Israel on Thursday of hindering efforts to resume peace talks as its parliament is mulling over legislation requiring a referendum before any territorial withdrawal.
"We completely reject all Zionist attempts to hinder any future resumption of negotiations," said Saleh Ra'fat, member of the PLO's executive committee.
The Israeli annexation of Arab lands since the 1967 Middle East war "violates all international resolutions and Israel must announce its commitment to these resolutions," Ra'fat told Voice of Palestine radio.
On Wednesday, the Israeli Knesset (parliament) gave a preliminary approval to a bill requiring a national referendum before ceding any annexed
land for a peace deal.
Such a bill, which still needs two additional votes to become law, applies to East Jerusalem which the Palestinians deem as their future
capital and which the European Union (EU) suggests be the capital for both Israel and a future Palestinian state.
Ra'fat said the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) is still holding contacts with Arab states before heading to the UN Security Council to seek
recognition for a Palestinian state.
"This is to let Israel understand that the settlement expansion in Jerusalem and all Palestinian lands is against international resolutions," Ra'fat added.
The PNA insists that Israel's refusal to halt settlement construction in East Jerusalem and the West Bank obstructs it from softening its stance
and accepting the resumption of peace talks.
The PLO, which encompasses the main nationalist factions, is recognized by the international community as the "sole legitimate representative" of the Palestinian people.