CAIRO, May 31 (Reuters) - Egypt's foreign ministry said on Thursday the neutrality of the Quartet of Middle East mediators was in doubt after it failed to condemn Israeli raids in Gaza and the arrest of Palestinian lawmakers. The Quartet called on Israel on Wednesday to use restraint and urged Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to do "everything to restore law and order", including the release of kidnapped BBC journalist Alan Johnston. The ministry said the statement "raised questions about the credibility of the Quartet as a neutral party" and would encourage Israel to continue attacks and the arrest of Palestinian ministers. "(The ministry) is surprised at the Quartet's lack of condemnation at Israel's kidnapping of the Palestinian parliament," it said in a statement. Egypt also said Israel's use of heavy weapons in attacks in civilian areas violated international law and the Geneva conventions. In the past week Israel has seized Palestinian Education Minister Naser al-Deen al-Shaer and another Hamas minister along with more than 30 other Palestinian officials. Hamas has said the Quartet statement "only served Israel" and made it party to the conflict. Comprising the United States, Russia, the United Nations and the European Union, the Quartet announced plans on Wednesday for talks with the Israelis and the Palestinians at an undisclosed time and location in June as well as with the Arab League.
