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Israeli PM seeks settlement pause Israeli PM seeks settlement pause
(about 1 hour later)
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is to ask his security cabinet to approve a 10-month halt in settlement building in the West Bank, but not East Jerusalem. Israel's prime minister is to ask his security cabinet to approve a 10-month restriction in settlement building in the West Bank, but not East Jerusalem.
Mr Netanyahu's office said he would seek a "temporary suspension of construction permits for housing". Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he would seek a "temporary suspension of construction permits for housing".
The Palestinians said the exclusion of Jerusalem in the suspension was a "very serious problem".The Palestinians said the exclusion of Jerusalem in the suspension was a "very serious problem".
They have refused to enter peace talks unless Israel halts all building in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.They have refused to enter peace talks unless Israel halts all building in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Before the cabinet meeting, Mr Netanyahu said the move was "not a simple step, nor easy, but it holds more advantages than disadvantages".Before the cabinet meeting, Mr Netanyahu said the move was "not a simple step, nor easy, but it holds more advantages than disadvantages".
He reiterated calls for the Palestinians to return to negotiations, saying Israel was "very serious" in its intentions to promote peace.He reiterated calls for the Palestinians to return to negotiations, saying Israel was "very serious" in its intentions to promote peace.
Complete freeze demandedComplete freeze demanded
The statement from Mr Netanyahu's office referred, however, only to new residential building, not to the construction of municipal facilities or infrastructure.The statement from Mr Netanyahu's office referred, however, only to new residential building, not to the construction of municipal facilities or infrastructure.
"As part of the efforts to launch peace talks with the Palestinian Authority and to promote national interests, [Mr Netanyahu] will ask today the security cabinet to approve a temporary suspension of construction permits for housing and new housing construction in Judea and Samaria for 10 months," it said. "As part of our efforts to give impetus to peace talks with the Palestinian Authority and promote Israel's comprehensive national interests, the prime minister will ask the security cabinet to approve a temporary suspension on construction permits for new residences and the [actual] start of new residential construction for a period of 10 months," his office said.
The exclusion of Jerusalem is a very, very serious problem for us Salam FayyadPalestinian prime minister An Israeli settlement in close-up In the shadow of a settlement The exclusion of Jerusalem is a very, very serious problem for us Salam FayyadPalestinian prime minister An Israeli settlement in close-up In the shadow of a settlement
The government has previously said it did not want to halt projects that were already under way.The government has previously said it did not want to halt projects that were already under way.
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said: "The exclusion of Jerusalem is a very, very serious problem for us".Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said: "The exclusion of Jerusalem is a very, very serious problem for us".
"Since it is only a moratorium we are speaking about, why is it so difficult for the Israelis to see the benefit of nothing more than compliance with international law or to stop violating international law?""Since it is only a moratorium we are speaking about, why is it so difficult for the Israelis to see the benefit of nothing more than compliance with international law or to stop violating international law?"
A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was quoted as saying any settlement freeze must be on the basis of a complete freeze, "and in Jerusalem first".A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was quoted as saying any settlement freeze must be on the basis of a complete freeze, "and in Jerusalem first".
The BBC's Katya Adler in Jerusalem says many will see Wednesday's announcement as a cynical move to appease the US.The BBC's Katya Adler in Jerusalem says many will see Wednesday's announcement as a cynical move to appease the US.
The row over settlements has dogged US President Barack Obama's attempts to restart peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians for months.The row over settlements has dogged US President Barack Obama's attempts to restart peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians for months.
Obama warningObama warning
Israel previously pledged to freeze all settlement activity under the 2003 Middle East peace plan known as the roadmap.Israel previously pledged to freeze all settlement activity under the 2003 Middle East peace plan known as the roadmap.
However, the administration of former US President George W Bush did not pressure it to curtail building in settlement blocs it was widely expected to keep in an eventual deal.However, the administration of former US President George W Bush did not pressure it to curtail building in settlement blocs it was widely expected to keep in an eventual deal.
Mr Obama's administration began by pressing for a total freeze, but softened its language in the face of refusals from Mr Netanyahu and his right-leaning government.Mr Obama's administration began by pressing for a total freeze, but softened its language in the face of refusals from Mr Netanyahu and his right-leaning government.
Last week, the Israeli interior ministry approved planning applications for 900 extra housing units at the settlement of Gilo in East Jerusalem, reportedly after Mr Netanyahu rejected a request from US President Barack Obama not to do so.Last week, the Israeli interior ministry approved planning applications for 900 extra housing units at the settlement of Gilo in East Jerusalem, reportedly after Mr Netanyahu rejected a request from US President Barack Obama not to do so.
Mr Obama later warned that additional settlement building did not contribute to Israel's security, but embittered the Palestinians "in a way that could end up being very dangerous".Mr Obama later warned that additional settlement building did not contribute to Israel's security, but embittered the Palestinians "in a way that could end up being very dangerous".
Nearly 500,000 Jews live in more than 100 settlements built on occupied territory in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.Nearly 500,000 Jews live in more than 100 settlements built on occupied territory in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
A number of UN Security Council resolutions have condemned settlement building in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as illegal - although Israel disputes this.A number of UN Security Council resolutions have condemned settlement building in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as illegal - although Israel disputes this.