settle in the West Bank and Gaza. But the Palestinians already living in these territories also feel strongly that their identity as a people is being eroded. With each new settlemerit-and some Israeli sources estimate that as much as half of the West Bank is denied to its Arab inhabitants-despair deepens. That is why a settlement freeze is so necessary and so urgent.” It is urgent that there should be no more settlement. No new obstacles to the peace process should be erected. But there is an added urgency for appealing to Israel at this time for a settlements freeze, and this urgency lies in the current state of the peace process. 34. We are once again, it seems to us, at a crossroads for the Arab-Israel dispute. The harrowing events of last summer, culminating in the awful massacre of Palestini- ans in the Sabra and Shatila camps, have acted as a catalyst for renewed efforts for peace, Important new peace initiatives have been put forward. It is imperative that they shotrId not lose their momentum, the more so since non-Lebanese armies remain in Lebanon and inno- cent civilians continue to lose their lives. 35. One very constructive set of proposals, including the call for the immediate adoption of a settlement freeze by Israel, has come from President Reagan.3 My Govern- ment has welcomed these proposals. We believe that they could provide a basis for negotiations acceptable to all parties. We hope that on further reflection neither side will let slip this critical opportunity to unravel, the tangled skein and knit the threads together again in a fashion more secure and more durable. 36. We are somewhat encouraged in this hope by the proposals which were put forward by the Arab countries at the Twelfth Arab Summit Conference, held at Fez in 
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on the political situation in the West Bank and Gaza, discussing the impact of settlements on the peace process and the urgent need for a settlement freeze. The language used is formal and diplomatic, indicating a political or international relations context. The text also references international events, such as the Arab-Israel dispute and the Twelfth Arab Summit Conference, further supporting a political or international relations theme.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, International relations