BBC World Service - World, Have your say aired on Tuesday September 28, 2010.

They're often cited as the biggest obstacle to peace in the Middle East and its taken just three weeks before the issue has caused major problems in the talks.

The US has sent its Middle East Envoy to try and resolve the situation but have the settlements now become an excuse not to seek peace?

The US, EU and UN wanted Israel to cease construction whilst the talks were on going and on Sunday Mahmoud Abbas said talks were a "waste of time" unless the 10 month moratorium continued.

So where does this leave the process? Do the settlements stand in the way of peace? Could Israel be doing more? Should Palestinians except some settlements are there to stay? Is the lack of negotiation
from both sides the real obstacle here?

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