MIDEAST ISRAEL PALESTINIANS
Israel's President Shimon Peres, center poses for a picture with The Elders, from left to right: founder of the Self-Employed Women's Association El...
Israel's President Shimon Peres, center poses for a picture with The Elders, from left to right: founder of the Self-Employed Women's Association Ela Bhatt, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, South African Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Brundtland and former Irish President Mary Robinson, during a meeting at the President's residence in Jerusalem, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009. The Elders, a group composed of eminent global leaders brought together by Nelson Mandela, are visiting the Middle East region amid efforts to restart peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
MIDEAST ISRAEL PALESTINIANS
The Elders, a group of eminent global leaders, from left to right: founder of the Self-Employed Women's Association Ela Bhatt, former Irish President...
The Elders, a group of eminent global leaders, from left to right: founder of the Self-Employed Women's Association Ela Bhatt, former Irish President Mary Robinson, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Brundtland, and former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, stand near part of Israel's separation barrier at the Israeli Kalandia checkpoint, between the West Bank city of Ramallah and Jerusalem, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009. The Elders, a group composed of eminent global leaders brought together by Nelson Mandela, are visiting the Middle East region amid efforts to restart peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. (AP Photo/ Tara Todras-Whitehill)
MIDEAST ISRAEL PALESTINIANS
South African Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, left, and former Irish President Mary Robinson, part of The Elders, a group of eminent global leader...
South African Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, left, and former Irish President Mary Robinson, part of The Elders, a group of eminent global leaders, walk past a watch tower at Israel's separation barrier, at the Israeli Kalandia checkpoint, between the West Bank city of Ramallah and Jerusalem, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009. The Elders, a group composed of eminent global leaders brought together by Nelson Mandela, are visiting the Middle East region amid efforts to restart peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. (AP Photo/ Tara Todras-Whitehill)
MIDEAST ISRAEL PALESTINIANS
Former Irish President Mary Robinson , left, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, center, and former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Brundtland, three of...
Former Irish President Mary Robinson , left, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, center, and former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Brundtland, three of the members of The Elders, a group of eminent global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela stand near part of the separation barrier at the Israeli Kalandia checkpoint, between the West Bank city of Ramallah and Jerusalem, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009. The Elders, a group composed of eminent global leaders are visiting the Middle East region amid efforts to restart peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. (AP Photo/ Tara Todras-Whitehill)
A delegation of veteran world leaders and international dignitaries says Israel must stop expanding its West Bank settlements for the peace process to move forward.
Former Irish President Mary Robinson, one of the members of the group, says a settlement freeze is "essential if there is to be real progress toward peace."
The group, called the Elders, includes Nobel Peace laureates Jimmy Carter and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. During their four-day visit to Israel and the West Bank, they have met with politicians, civic groups and young people.
Robinson spoke in the West Bank town of Ramallah on Wednesday.
Earlier, the group met with Israeli President Shimon Peres, also a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.
