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Group Says Netanyahu Has Put Hold on Settlements Group Says Netanyahu Has Put Hold on Settlements
(about 2 hours later)
JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has quietly put on hold the issuing of bids for new settlement construction, according to a watchdog group, in an apparent gesture to Secretary of State John Kerry as he works to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has quietly suspended the issuing of bids for new settlement construction, according to a watchdog group, in an apparent gesture to Secretary of State John Kerry as he works to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
Hagit Ofran of Peace Now, an Israeli leftist group that monitors, and opposes, settlement construction, said Tuesday in an interview that no new bids had been published since January, although they are generally issued every two to three months. Peace Now said in a statement that it had recorded no announcements or approvals of plans for new construction since President Obama’s visit in March. Still, the group noted, there has been no slowing of construction that was already under way.Hagit Ofran of Peace Now, an Israeli leftist group that monitors, and opposes, settlement construction, said Tuesday in an interview that no new bids had been published since January, although they are generally issued every two to three months. Peace Now said in a statement that it had recorded no announcements or approvals of plans for new construction since President Obama’s visit in March. Still, the group noted, there has been no slowing of construction that was already under way.
Most of the world considers Israeli construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to be illegal, and the Palestinians have demanded a complete end to settlement activity in these areas, which they see as part of their future state. Israel conquered these territories from Jordan in the 1967 war, and more than a half-million Israelis now live there.Most of the world considers Israeli construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to be illegal, and the Palestinians have demanded a complete end to settlement activity in these areas, which they see as part of their future state. Israel conquered these territories from Jordan in the 1967 war, and more than a half-million Israelis now live there.
Continued building caused acute friction between Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Obama during his first term in office. In one episode that particularly embarrassed the Americans, an Israeli government ministry announced plans for 1,600 housing units in a contested area of Jerusalem in March 2010 during a visit by Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.Continued building caused acute friction between Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Obama during his first term in office. In one episode that particularly embarrassed the Americans, an Israeli government ministry announced plans for 1,600 housing units in a contested area of Jerusalem in March 2010 during a visit by Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.
Under pressure, Mr. Netanyahu had announced a 10-month moratorium on new residential construction in West Bank settlements in late 2009. Nine months into the freeze, the Palestinians agreed to resume long-stalled negotiations, but they ended again when the moratorium expired. Israel asserts that the land is disputed and that the future of the settlements is to be decided in negotiations. It says it is ready to return to the negotiating table, but without preconditions.Under pressure, Mr. Netanyahu had announced a 10-month moratorium on new residential construction in West Bank settlements in late 2009. Nine months into the freeze, the Palestinians agreed to resume long-stalled negotiations, but they ended again when the moratorium expired. Israel asserts that the land is disputed and that the future of the settlements is to be decided in negotiations. It says it is ready to return to the negotiating table, but without preconditions.
Israel’s Army Radio reported Tuesday that Mr. Netanyahu recently instructed his minister of housing and construction, Uri Ariel of the pro-settlement Jewish Home Party, to freeze new building in the West Bank. The newspaper Haaretz said that Mr. Netanyahu promised Mr. Kerry to rein in settlement plans until mid-June.Israel’s Army Radio reported Tuesday that Mr. Netanyahu recently instructed his minister of housing and construction, Uri Ariel of the pro-settlement Jewish Home Party, to freeze new building in the West Bank. The newspaper Haaretz said that Mr. Netanyahu promised Mr. Kerry to rein in settlement plans until mid-June.
The prime minister’s office had no comment on the reports.The prime minister’s office had no comment on the reports.
In an interview with Army Radio, Mr. Ariel refused to disclose details of his discussions with the prime minister, but he hinted that he considered any restraint to be temporary. He said he told Mr. Netanyahu that if the new state budget did not reflect plans to build in all areas, his party might oppose it, preventing it from being passed.In an interview with Army Radio, Mr. Ariel refused to disclose details of his discussions with the prime minister, but he hinted that he considered any restraint to be temporary. He said he told Mr. Netanyahu that if the new state budget did not reflect plans to build in all areas, his party might oppose it, preventing it from being passed.
A Jewish Home Party legislator, Ayelet Shaked, told Army Radio that bids prepared by the Housing Ministry for the marketing of settlement projects were awaiting the prime minister’s signature, and that “and for some reason it is not happening.” A Jewish Home Party legislator, Ayelet Shaked, told Army Radio that bids prepared by the Housing Ministry for the marketing of settlement projects were awaiting the prime minister’s signature, and that “for some reason it is not happening.”
Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, said in a statement, “We have not been notified of any changes to Israel’s colonial plans.”Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator, said in a statement, “We have not been notified of any changes to Israel’s colonial plans.”
Palestinian officials say they froze their activities against Israel in international agencies for eight weeks to give Mr. Kerry’s peace effort a chance.Palestinian officials say they froze their activities against Israel in international agencies for eight weeks to give Mr. Kerry’s peace effort a chance.