Pretoria - South Africa has urged Israeli and Palestinian leaders who are seized with talks not to quit without producing "positive and concrete results."
International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson Saul Molobi reiterated that a peaceful negotiation was the only means of ensuring lasting peace, security and stability in that region.
"The South African Government reiterates its belief that the only option to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an agreement negotiated between the parties aimed at the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian State, on the basis of 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its Capital, existing side by side in peace and security with Israel," Molobi said.
However, he said, the South African government noted with concern that Israel continues to reinforce, with facts on the ground, a climate of mistrust and suspicion between itself and the Palestinian people.
South Africa comments follow peace talks in Washington that marked the first direct negotiations in 20 months between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas are re-launched.
While most analysts believe the direct negotiation is imminent, they are more concerned about where the talks are heading.
The Palestinians are seemingly prepared to allow Israel to retain some settlements in exchange for land of equal size and quality in what is present-day sovereign Israel.
The sides will spend some of their negotiation time discussing the percentages of such a swap, but the formulas already exist from previous talks and any deal is expected to include a 2 to 6 percent exchange.
What Israel may find a more difficult pill to swallow is the fate of Jerusalem. While Israel agreed to a 10-month building freeze in the West Bank that will come to an end in September, it refused to apply any such construction moratorium to the city it sees as its "united, indivisible capital."
The United Nations perceives the eastern sections of Jerusalem to be occupied and does not recognise Israel's claim to the entire city. While many in Israel argue that the Jewish state does not need to control the Arab neighbourhoods, there is far more support for the retention of much of the historically crucial Old City.
