This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8221559.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Netanyahu set for US London talks | Netanyahu set for US London talks |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is due to meet US envoy George Mitchell in London as part of efforts to reach a deal on settlements in the occupied West Bank. | |
The US is pushing for a total stop to Israeli construction, in the hope of kick-starting stalled peace talks. | |
On Tuesday, during talks with UK PM Gordon Brown, Mr Netanyahu rejected any construction freeze in East Jerusalem. | |
He also reiterated calls that the Palestinians recognise Israel as a Jewish state. | |
Mr Netanyahu says Israel will not build new settlements, but wants to continue building within existing ones to allow for the "natural growth" of the communities living there. | |
The Palestinians have refused to re-enter peace negotiations unless Israel completely halts all settlement activity. | |
Mr Netanyahu said he was seeking a "bridging formula which will enable us to launch a peace process and enable those residents (settlers) to live normal lives". | |
The US has in recent months pressured Israel over a construction project in occupied East Jerusalem, where the Palestinians want the capital of their future state. | |
Israel annexed the area in 1981, in a move not recognised by the international community. | |
Mr Netanyahu said Jerusalem was Israel's "indivisible" capital. "Jerusalem is not a settlement," he said. | |
He called for the Palestinians to be "be courageous partners for peace" and said he believed progress could be achieved that "may confront the cynics and surprise the world". | |
Slow movement | Slow movement |
The US pressure on Mr Netanyahu has has strained normally close Israel-US ties. | |
BBC Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen says Israeli and international diplomats have been hinting that Mr Netanyahu and the US envoy may be close to some sort of compromise. | |
Anything that allows the Israelis to continue building in the territories can be packaged by Mr Netanyahu as a victory and will cost President Barack Obama some of the credibility he has built up in the Arab Middle East, our correspondent says. | |
But even so, he adds, the US administration may calculate that it is worth it if the result is the resumption of meaningful talks. | |
After meeting Mr Mitchell in London, Mr Netanyahu is travelling to Berlin, the next stop on his four-day European tour. | |
Are you an Israeli or Palestinian? What is your reaction to the visit? Could it lead to peace? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you an Israeli or Palestinian? What is your reaction to the visit? Could it lead to peace? Send us your comments using the form below. |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |