The United States envoy to the Middle East, Dennis Ross, has left Israel after failing to persuade the Prime Mininster, Binyamin Netanyahu, to accept American proposals for an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank.

Mr Netanyahu was quoted as saying Washington was trying to humiliate Israel. Earlier, Mr Ross met the Israeli President, Ezer Weizman, who said afterwards he was not encouraged.

Israel's refusal means that Monday's summit in Washington has been cancelled.

Moshe Fogel says there has to be compromise on both sides (22")

The Israeli government's spokesman, Moshe Fogel, said: "We believe there has to be give and take between Israel and the Palestinians so we're proposing to try to bridge the existing gaps about the extent of the further redeployment..."

BBC correspondent Jeremy Bowen in Jerusalem says Washington's attempt to restart the peace process has now all but collapsed, and relations between the two countries look very strained.

He says remarks by President Clinton's wife, Hillary - that the Palestinians should have their own state - have also caused great irritation in Israeli government circles.

But while Prime Minister Netanyahu will not travel to the US for talks with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, he remains under pressure to agree to a meeting within a month.

BBC Jerusalem Correspondent Paul Adams: why Israel want more time (29")

US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said that she had not yet given up hope of a breakthrough and warned the Israeli Government that she had not "taken no for an answer".

West Bank: Peace stumbling block

Mr Netanyahu has refused to meet the key US condition of agreeing to hand over up to 13% of the West Bank to the Palestinians ahead of final negotiations.

In a statement released after the end of the talks between Mr Ross and Mr Netanyahu on Saturday, the White House said: "The invitation to (Mr) Netanyahu and chairman Arafat to initiate final status negotiations in Washington was conditioned on an understanding on all the issues.

"Based on Ambassador Ross's discussions today, differences remain. Ambassador Ross is returning to Washington on Sunday and will report to President (Clinton) and to the Secretary of State."

Under pressure

Netanyahu: Invited by Madeleine Albright

Mr Netanyahu, who has a tiny majority in the Israeli parliament, has refused to cede any more land without security guarantees from the Palestinians.

He is also under pressure from within his own Likud Party and its allies over the direction of the peace process.

Some right wingers, including Jewish West Bank settlers, have threatened to bring down Mr Netanyahu's government if he cedes land.

But the US has threatened to end its mediation role in the Middle East if there is no progress in the talks.

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©