Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, threw hopes for a smooth
resumption of Middle East peace talks into turmoil by rejecting demands
to continue a freeze on settlement building in the West Bank.

by Mark Weiss in Jerusalem
Published: 6:09PM BST 22 Aug 2010

Benjamin Netanyahu rejects demands to continue settlement freeze

Pressed by ministers from his ruling Likud party ahead of last night's
weekly cabinet meeting, Benjamin Netanyahu said he had not changed his
position that the 10-month building moratorium would not be renewed when
it expired on September 26.

The Palestine Liberation Organisation executive committee over the
weekend endorsed Palestinian participation in the face-to-face talks,
declared by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday, and
scheduled to begin in Washington on September 2nd.

But its chief negotiator Saeb Erekat linked the success of the
discussions with a continuation of the building freeze. "If the Israeli
government decides to announce new tenders on September 26th, then we
won't be able to continue with the talks," he warned.

Mr Netanyahu leads a largely right-wing and religious coalition which is
committed to Jewish settlement across the West Bank, and the Israeli
prime minister has already warned that extending the moratorium would
risk the future of his government.

Two moderate ministers have proposed a compromise under which building
will only continue in the larger West Bank settlement blocs, areas which
Israel hopes to incorporate under a final peace agreement.

Such a policy, which is likely to meet stiff opposition from other
ministers, is similar to that adopted by the previous Israeli government
headed by Ehud Olmert.

Despite the difficulties, Mr Netanyahu said Sunday that the optimistic
target set by Mrs Clinton of reaching a comprehensive peace deal within
a year was possible.

He said compromises would be required from both sides.

Mr Netanyahu said any deal must provide real security for Israel,
provide a solution to the refugee problem within a future demilitarised
Palestinian state, and must include Palestinian recognition of Israel as
a Jewish state and an 'end of conflict' clause.

Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague called the resumption of
direct negotiations a "courageous step" towards peace in the region.
"Urgent progress must now be made," he said. "We call on all parties to
refrain from any activity that could undermine negotiations."

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites