Mid-East peace talks: UK says window ‘closing’

He also expressed concern that peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians had stalled over the issue of renewed building in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Mr Hague said that both sides had obligations, but that it was largely up to Israel to break the impasse.

“We do want Israel to announce a new moratorium on settlements… That is what the whole of Europe wants, that is what the United States wants,” he said.

“We do urge all concerned to do what is necessary to allow a two-state solution to come about. I am very worried that the window is closing on that possibility, there is a real urgency to this,” he added.

The Palestinians – backed by the Arab League – have pledged not to return to direct talks without a full settlement construction freeze, but have given US negotiators until early November to try to break the impasse.

Israel has refused to renew the freeze despite international pressure.

The talks, which resumed in Washington in September after a break of almost 20 months, are now facing imminent collapse.

Israel has occupied the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since 1967, settling close to 500,000 Jews in more than 100 settlements. They are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.