以色列国防部长巴拉克表示担心，如果巴勒斯坦坚持要求以色列停止犹太人定居点建设，他们有可能失去争取和平的机会。
巴拉克的这番话星期一发表在纽约时报上。美国总统奥巴马星期二将在纽约与以色列和巴勒斯坦领导人举行联合会议。
巴拉克说，奥巴马明确表示，他将运用他的政治影响力以确保成立一个独立巴勒斯坦国，并且在两年内解决核心问题。
巴拉克说，这是一个不能错失的机会。
巴勒斯坦领导人表示，以色列拒绝冻结约旦河西岸和东耶路撒冷定居点的建设阻碍了和平努力。
美国也敦促以色列停止定居点建设。
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak says he fears the Palestinians will miss an opportunity for peace if they continue demanding Israel stop building Jewish settlements.
The comments were published in The New York Times newspaper Monday, a day before U.S. President Barack Obama is to host a joint meeting with the Israeli and Palestinian leaders in New York.
The Israeli defense chief says Mr. Obama has clearly pledged to use his political influence to make sure there is an independent Palestinian state, and to solve core issues in two years.
Barak says this is an opportunity not to be missed.
Palestinian leaders say Israel’s refusal to freeze settlement construction in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem is holding up the peace efforts.
The United States also is urging Israel to stop the construction.