The 'Quartet' of leading diplomats in Middle East peace negotiations demanded an Israeli rethink as it set a two year deadline for a Middle East peace deal. "(The quartet) condemns the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem," the statement read. "The annexation of East Jerusalem is not recognised by the international community." It added that the city's contested status could only be resolved through negotiation rather than unilateral action. Israel's construction plans in East Jerusalem triggered a rare crisis in its carefully choreographed relationship with Washington, prompting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to privately berate Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Middle East quartet, which was established in 2002, comprises United States, Russia, the United Nations and the European Union. The Moscow meeting was also attended by Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon and EU foreign policy chief Cathy Ashton. Tony Blair, the quartet's special representative, and Senator George Mitchell, the US Middle East envoy, were also present. The quartet added it was "deeply concerned" by what it described as the worsening humanitarian and human rights situation in Gaza. Although it did not spell out exactly how it intended to get Israel to comply with its various demands, Mr Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, said he felt Israel would get the message. "We are convinced that Israel will hear this and understand it in the right way. We will use all means at our disposal to get Israel and the Palestinians talking." Mrs Clinton appeared keen to put the recent diplomatic spat with Israel behind her while sticking to her demand that the Israeli East Jerusalem plan be dropped.
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