Israel Matzav: The elusive compromise on the 'settlement freeze'

The elusive compromise on the 'settlement freeze'

Herb Keinon reports on what's holding up a compromise between the US and Israel over the 'settlement freeze,' and it appears that the biggest item holding it up is that Israel insists on having an 'exit strategy' if when the diplomatic process runs aground.

Part of the problem, the Post learned, is that Israel cannot agree to a settlement freeze without having "an exit strategy" for renewing construction if the diplomatic process a freeze is meant to promote runs aground.

Another open question is what the country's settlement policy would be after any temporary moratorium ended, since the government has made clear it needs to ensure that "normal life" in the settlements will continue, and that it has no intention of simply "drying out" these communities.

Israel argued that while it was trying to be helpful in getting the diplomatic process restarted - and in fact no new housing tenders in the settlements have been issued since Binyamin Netanyahu became prime minister on March 31 - there are basic needs in the settlements that have to be met.

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Israel Matzav: The elusive compromise on the 'settlement freeze'

Israel Matzav: 'Palestinians': US 'settlement freeze' demand unchanged

'Palestinians': US 'settlement freeze' demand unchanged

'Palestinian' chief bottle washer negotiator Saeb Erekat claims that Special Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell told moderate' 'Palestinian' President Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen on Monday that, contrary to what's been reported in the media, the US demand for a complete 'settlement freeze' in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem remains unchanged.

"Mitchell told Abbas that contrary to what has been said in the mass media there is no agreement with the Israeli side on anything," Erekat told reporters.

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Israel Matzav: 'Palestinians': US 'settlement freeze' demand unchanged