Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations    

    RAMALLAH, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Acting Palestinian Prime Minister Sallam Fayyad asserted on Wednesday that the expansion of Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories "would never bring security for Israel."

    At a conference held in the village of Bal'ien in the West Bank, Fayyad called on Israeli parties "to stop using the Palestinian territories, the life of the Palestinian people and their children's future for their election campaigns."

    Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert who faces charges of bribery and corruption approved this week the construction of more than 800 housing units on a settlement between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

    "The only thing remains for Israel is to be committed to a just political settlement based on the implementation of the international resolutions and based on ending the occupation," said Fayyad.

    He added that the Palestinians "are determined to get freedom and independence and protect the future of peace in this region. Our people seeks security and settlement in an independent state established on the 1967 border."

    Speaking out about Islamic Hamas' takeover of Gaza, Fayyad said that ending Hamas control of the enclave "needs everyone to recognize the oneness of the Palestinian Authority as one home for all the Palestinians."