GAZA CITY, Oct 20: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s speech to parliament on Monday in which he branded Yasser Arafat an obstacle to peace was an “escalation” aimed at destroying the peace process, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said.

“This speech constitutes an escalation and shows the determination of Israel to destroy the peace process,” Erakat told AFP.

Sharon wanted the “roadmap” peace project to collapse so Israel could continue to build “walls, (Jewish) settlements and continue its aggression.”—AFP