Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said that comments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the World Economic Forum make it clear he is against the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said that comments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the World Economic Forum make it clear he is against the establishment of a Palestinian state.

"Anyone who says they want the settlers to remain is actually saying they don't want the establishment of a Palestinian state," Erakat said in remarks published Monday in Palestinian daily Al-Ayyam.

Erakat was reacting to comments by Netanyahu at last week's WEF gathering in Davos, where the Zionist premier insisted the occupation authorities would not evacuate settlements built on occupied land the Palestinians want for their future state.

At Davos, the premier told Israeli journalists at a briefing, "I have said before and I say again; I do not intend to dismantle any settlement, I don't intend to uproot any Israeli."
His comments were broadcast on public radio.

Israel's settlements, which are illegal under international law, are a key sticking point that is preventing peace talks from making any visible progress.