"Israel does not understand the language of condemnation; it does not need somebody in a press conference to say we're opposed. Israel needs somebody to link its actions to the economic relations with this or that country. It was (former U.S. Secretary of State) James Baker who stood to say that if Israel continues with the settlement program, we are linking it to loan guarantees that are given to the state of Israel," said Shtayyeh, the Palestinian Authority negotiator.

This is all happening just as Israel is set to elect its next leaders on January 22.