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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| No settlement freeze - Netanyahu | No settlement freeze - Netanyahu |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rebuffed US demands for a total freeze on settlement building in the West Bank. | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rebuffed US demands for a total freeze on settlement building in the West Bank. |
| He is quoted as saying he had told Washington he would instead consider "scaling down construction". | He is quoted as saying he had told Washington he would instead consider "scaling down construction". |
| US Mid-East envoy George Mitchell is in the region to finalise terms for renewed peace talks. | US Mid-East envoy George Mitchell is in the region to finalise terms for renewed peace talks. |
| The Palestinians have said they will not take part unless Israel stops all construction in its settlements. | |
| The US hopes the Israeli and Palestinian leaders can meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York later this month. | The US hopes the Israeli and Palestinian leaders can meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York later this month. |
| After talks with Israeli President Shimon Peres on Sunday, Mr Mitchell said they were working hard to reach agreement on "many outstanding issues". | After talks with Israeli President Shimon Peres on Sunday, Mr Mitchell said they were working hard to reach agreement on "many outstanding issues". |
| The US envoy had been set to meet Mr Netanyahu on Monday, but talks were delayed so both men could attend the funeral of an Israeli air force pilot. | The US envoy had been set to meet Mr Netanyahu on Monday, but talks were delayed so both men could attend the funeral of an Israeli air force pilot. |
| Lt Assaf Ramon - son of Ilan Ramon, the Israeli astronaut killed in the 2003 Columbia space shuttle disaster - died when his fighter jet crashed in the West Bank on Sunday. | Lt Assaf Ramon - son of Ilan Ramon, the Israeli astronaut killed in the 2003 Columbia space shuttle disaster - died when his fighter jet crashed in the West Bank on Sunday. |
| 'Strike a balance' | 'Strike a balance' |
| Mr Netanyahu is reported to have laid out his position on settlement construction to the Knesset's Security and Foreign Affairs committee on Monday. | Mr Netanyahu is reported to have laid out his position on settlement construction to the Knesset's Security and Foreign Affairs committee on Monday. |
| Jerusalem is not a settlement, and construction there will continue as usual Benjamin Netanyahu Obama Mid-East plans in jeopardy | Jerusalem is not a settlement, and construction there will continue as usual Benjamin Netanyahu Obama Mid-East plans in jeopardy |
| He told them that Mr Mitchell had requested a complete halt to the building work. | He told them that Mr Mitchell had requested a complete halt to the building work. |
| "We made clear that we will build 2,500 housing units which are already in construction," Mr Netanyahu is quoted as saying by a parliamentary official. | "We made clear that we will build 2,500 housing units which are already in construction," Mr Netanyahu is quoted as saying by a parliamentary official. |
| "A few days ago, we confirmed 450 additional housing units. I told the Americans that we shall consider scaling down construction." | "A few days ago, we confirmed 450 additional housing units. I told the Americans that we shall consider scaling down construction." |
| He said Israel would strike a balance between offering a gesture that would help restart peace negotiations and ensuring a "normal life" for residents in the West Bank settlements. | He said Israel would strike a balance between offering a gesture that would help restart peace negotiations and ensuring a "normal life" for residents in the West Bank settlements. |
| He also said that any scaling down of construction would be "for a temporary period", not as yet agreed with the Americans. | He also said that any scaling down of construction would be "for a temporary period", not as yet agreed with the Americans. |
| "The Palestinians expected a complete halt to construction, a freeze, now it is clear that will not be," he went on to say. "Jerusalem is not a settlement, and construction there will continue as usual." | "The Palestinians expected a complete halt to construction, a freeze, now it is clear that will not be," he went on to say. "Jerusalem is not a settlement, and construction there will continue as usual." |
| In a statement late Monday, Mr Netanyahu's office said no meeting for peace talks had been set. | |
| But his office added he was ready to move forward a visit to New York, currently set for 23 September, if necessary to enable dialogue. | But his office added he was ready to move forward a visit to New York, currently set for 23 September, if necessary to enable dialogue. |
| The US has been preparing a package for peace talks that would see Israel halt settlement construction and Arab nations that have no peace deal with Israel take the first steps towards recognising Israel. | The US has been preparing a package for peace talks that would see Israel halt settlement construction and Arab nations that have no peace deal with Israel take the first steps towards recognising Israel. |
| Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas insists he will not meet his Israeli counterparts until there is a freeze on the settlement of occupied territory, which is illegal under international law. | Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas insists he will not meet his Israeli counterparts until there is a freeze on the settlement of occupied territory, which is illegal under international law. |
| When news emerged of Israel's plan to build 450 new homes last week, he said there was no point attending a summit with Mr Netanyahu. | When news emerged of Israel's plan to build 450 new homes last week, he said there was no point attending a summit with Mr Netanyahu. |
| Sabri Seidam, an aide to Mr Abbas, told reporters: "Israel has to stop stalling and focus on creating the atmosphere for a resumption of the peace process. | Sabri Seidam, an aide to Mr Abbas, told reporters: "Israel has to stop stalling and focus on creating the atmosphere for a resumption of the peace process. |
| "Its sole track should lead to the establishment of the Palestinian state." | "Its sole track should lead to the establishment of the Palestinian state." |
| Regarding other Arab states' recognition of Israel, a former Saudi ambassador to the US, Turki al-Faisal, wrote in the New York Times that diplomatic ties could be renewed "only after they [Israel] have released their grip on Arab lands". | Regarding other Arab states' recognition of Israel, a former Saudi ambassador to the US, Turki al-Faisal, wrote in the New York Times that diplomatic ties could be renewed "only after they [Israel] have released their grip on Arab lands". |
| Mr Abbas and the Israel prime minister are due to hold separate talks with Mr Mitchell on Tuesday. | Mr Abbas and the Israel prime minister are due to hold separate talks with Mr Mitchell on Tuesday. |
| Israeli-Palestinian peace talks have been suspended since December. | Israeli-Palestinian peace talks have been suspended since December. |
| Are you in the Middle East? Do you think a new bid for peace can work? You can send us your views and experiences using the form below: | Are you in the Middle East? Do you think a new bid for peace can work? You can send us your views and experiences using the form below: |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box 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 |