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Israel and US discuss settlements Israel and US discuss settlements
(about 4 hours later)
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is meeting US envoy George Mitchell in a renewed drive to reach a deal on Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has met US envoy George Mitchell as part of a renewed drive to reach a deal on Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The US has been pushing for a complete end to Israeli construction in the hope of kick-starting stalled peace talks.The US has been pushing for a complete end to Israeli construction in the hope of kick-starting stalled peace talks.
The meeting in London follows talks with UK PM Gordon Brown, when Mr Netanyahu rejected any construction freeze in occupied East Jerusalem. The meeting in London followed talks with UK PM Gordon Brown, when Mr Netanyahu rejected any construction freeze in occupied East Jerusalem.
He repeated his demand the Palestinians recognise Israel as a Jewish state. He demanded again 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. Mr Netanyahu has said 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.
ANALYSIS Jeremy Bowen, BBC Middle East EditorANALYSIS Jeremy Bowen, BBC Middle East Editor
It is possible that the Israeli prime minister and the US envoy could be close to some sort of compromise. The Israelis hint that they are, and foreign diplomats agree.It is possible that the Israeli prime minister and the US envoy could be close to some sort of compromise. The Israelis hint that they are, and foreign diplomats agree.
But they are only talking about an agreement to start the Israelis and Palestinians talking again. The Israelis assume the Palestinians will go along with any deal they make with the US if they are asked to by President Obama.But they are only talking about an agreement to start the Israelis and Palestinians talking again. The Israelis assume the Palestinians will go along with any deal they make with the US if they are asked to by President Obama.
Anything that allows the Israelis to continue building in the occupied territories can be packaged by Mr Netanyahu as a victory and will cost President Obama some of the credibility he has built up in the Arab Middle East.Anything that allows the Israelis to continue building in the occupied territories can be packaged by Mr Netanyahu as a victory and will cost President Obama some of the credibility he has built up in the Arab Middle East.
Even so the Americans may calculate that it is worth it if the result is the resumption of meaningful talks. Then they will have to start dealing with the other big toxic issues and the fact that the Palestinian side is hopelessly split. Palestinian settlement builders New Israeli settlements 'on hold' Borders and settlementsEven so the Americans may calculate that it is worth it if the result is the resumption of meaningful talks. Then they will have to start dealing with the other big toxic issues and the fact that the Palestinian side is hopelessly split. Palestinian settlement builders New Israeli settlements 'on hold' Borders and settlements
The Palestinians have refused to re-enter peace negotiations unless Israel completely halts all settlement activity.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".
In recent months the US has also pressured Israel over a construction project in occupied East Jerusalem, where the Palestinians want the capital of their future state.In recent months the US has also 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. It was captured by Israel, along with the West Bank and other territory during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Israel annexed the area in 1981, in a move not recognised by the international community. It was captured by Israel, along with the West Bank and other territory, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.
Mr Netanyahu said Jerusalem was Israel's "indivisible" capital. "Jerusalem is not a settlement," he said. After the talks at the Park Lane Hotel in central London, neither Mr Netanyahu nor Mr Mitchell went into specifics about the substance of their discussions.
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". Mr Netanyahu told reporters: "We are making headway. My government has taken steps in both words and deeds to move forward."
Dispute The American pressure on Mr Netanyahu has strained normally close Israel-US ties.
The US pressure on Mr Netanyahu has strained normally close Israel-US ties.
After meeting Mr Mitchell in London, Mr Netanyahu is travelling to Berlin, the next stop on his four-day European tour.After meeting Mr Mitchell in London, Mr Netanyahu is travelling to Berlin, the next stop on his four-day European tour.
Dispute
Some 450,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The settlements are illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.Some 450,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The settlements are illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.
Israel agreed to freeze settlement activity as part of the 2003 staged international peace plan known as the roadmap.Israel agreed to freeze settlement activity as part of the 2003 staged international peace plan known as the roadmap.
But Israeli officials say there was an unwritten understanding with the administration of former US President George W Bush that allowed limited growth within existing settlements to continue.But Israeli officials say there was an unwritten understanding with the administration of former US President George W Bush that allowed limited growth within existing settlements to continue.
Mr Netanyahu's right-leaning government has not published tenders for new housing units in settlements since it came to power in April.Mr Netanyahu's right-leaning government has not published tenders for new housing units in settlements since it came to power in April.
But the left-wing Israeli group Peace Now, which monitors building in settlements, says government-backed projects make up only 40% of construction and that building has been continuing on the ground in many places.But the left-wing Israeli group Peace Now, which monitors building in settlements, says government-backed projects make up only 40% of construction and that building has been continuing on the ground in many places.
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 & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions