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Last update - 09:24 06/08/2009
U.S. asks Israel for one-year settlement freeze
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: israel news, netanyahu 

American Middle East envoy George Mitchell has asked Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak for a "deposit," an advance commitment of a one-year freeze on construction in West Bank settlements.

Mitchell raised the idea in his talks with Netanyahu and Barak in Israel last week. He argued that the Arab states will not make gestures toward normalization with Israel without a guarantee of an end to building in the settlements. Mitchell said an Israeli agreement to temporarily freeze construction would facilitate concessions from the Arab states.

A senior source in Jerusalem noted that while Netanyahu and Barak did not reject the request, they disagree with the Americans over some of the details.
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Mitchell asked for a construction freeze of at least a year, but Israel has agreed to suspend building on the settlements for six months, at most.

The Americans have not yet said clearly what will happen at the end of the freeze period. Israel wants a U.S. commitment to reach new understandings with Jerusalem over future developments that would be similar to those between former president George W. Bush and former prime minister Ehud Olmert.

Israel and the U.S. also disagree over the future of 2,500 housing units already under construction in the settlements. Israel wants to complete all of these homes, while Mitchell seeks to reduce the number to be completed as much as possible.

Negotiations over the issue will continue over the coming weeks. Netanyahu and Mitchell are to meet in London on August 26 for another round of talks. A highly-placed source in Jerusalem said he expected agreement on the issue at the meeting.

The Americans presented the deposit concept at a meeting in Jerusalem on Friday of representatives of the Middle East Quartet. Mitchell's deputy, David Hale, said the administration of President Barack Obama is seeking similar promises from the Arab states. Representatives of the European Union, the United Nations and Russia spoke of the need to consider the next stage - the renewal of peace negotiations - in addition to determining a party to mediate between the Palestinian Authority and Israel. Hale said public disclosure in the near future of a formula for the next stage would harm negotiations.

On Monday Israel's ambassador to the U.S., Michael Oren, was summoned to the State Department for a reprimand, for the second time in two weeks. This time it was over the eviction of two Palestinian families from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem. The State Department called the eviction a provocation that was contrary to the spirit of the road map. At the previous meeting, two weeks ago, State Department officials conveyed to Oren their displeasure over plans to build housing for Jews on the site of the Shepherd Hotel in Sheikh Jarrah.

Israel's ambassador in Stockholm, Benny Dagan, was also summoned to the Swedish foreign ministry in protest at the evictions of Palestinians. Sweden currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union.

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      1.   Uh Oh. Here comes B.S. News, the demented parrot, screeching... 03:13  |  flyingdoc57 06/08/09
      2.   Just say no 03:19  |  A Nice Fellow 06/08/09
      3.   What? 03:24  |  Jeff 06/08/09
      4.   freeze 03:25  |  DOV KORET 06/08/09
      5.   The Days o thef Neocon Ideology Are Over 03:27  |  New 06/08/09
      6.   Just say NO!!!! 03:36  |  Jennifer 06/08/09
      7.   Concession just for 1 year building freeze on stollen land? 03:37  |  Moise 06/08/09
      8.   Request is reasonable. Let us see what the Arabs offer in return 03:44  |  Darth Zaider (Ed) 06/08/09
      9.   What`s the point? Israel will take the gains and keep building 04:10  |  peacelover 06/08/09
      10.   Israeli response 04:11  |  B 06/08/09
      11.   Israel should agree with proper reciprocity... 04:17  |  SMF 06/08/09
      12.   Unlikely 04:28  |  Jim Goldstein 06/08/09
      13.   even handed treatment? 04:37  |  Rich S. 06/08/09
      14.   A year wasted 04:38  |  Jasper 06/08/09
      15.   A highly-placed source ------expexted agreement? Well see? 04:39  |  JJ 06/08/09
      16.   American Tax Dollars 05:04  |  Mike 06/08/09
      17.   flyingdoc57: You may be right but Israel must give peace a chance 05:08  |  Darth Zaider (Ed) 06/08/09
      18.   the Law 05:12  |  Hirz 06/08/09
      19.   # 11 - Let`s continue your reciprocity plan 05:23  |  Rick 06/08/09
      20.   Save the Airfare, George 05:26  |  Mark of Lewiston 06/08/09
      21.   It will be a bit more crowdy and a bit more rowdy. 05:26  |  Fortuna Benmayor 06/08/09
      22.   Moise again with the stolen land BS 05:31  |  Joe Frazier 06/08/09
      23.   flyingduck57 05:36  |  Cynical American 06/08/09
      24.   What do you mean Temporary Freeze. It should be permanent! 05:44  |  Ed 06/08/09
      25.   Is The "Deposit" Refundable? 05:44  |  Jeff Northridge 06/08/09
      26.   This is good for Israel 05:51  |  Marc Leb 06/08/09
      27.   can Hamas release Gilad for 1 day? 05:56  |  Miron 06/08/09
      28.   Just cancel the loan guarantees 06:01  |  Mark 06/08/09
      29.   Theoretically, obvious what would happen at the end of the freeze 06:02  |  Colin Wright 06/08/09
      30.   flyingduck57 06:05  |  Cynical American 06/08/09
      31.   Seriously, is this a joke? 06:08  |  CD 06/08/09
      32.   why should the arabs offer anything? zio`s stop building on stole 06:17  |  land? since when do 06/08/09
      33.   very clear zio`s would rather steal land than have peace 06:19  |  everyone knows 06/08/09
      34.   flyingduck57 06:21  |  Cynical American 06/08/09
      35.   Because the last time worked out so well... 06:21  |  Seth 06/08/09
      36.   Really anything less than a year would be a disservice.... 06:29  |  Smadar 06/08/09
      37.   Pointless as the Arabs have already said "NO!" 06:39  |  MichaelF 06/08/09
      38.   #7 - Moise 06:42  |  MichaelF 06/08/09
      39.   Has to be at least one year. 06:44  |  Johnboy 06/08/09
      40.   #22 - everyone knows -- but you 06:45  |  MichaelF 06/08/09
      41.   a six months freeze is amply sufficient 06:48  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 06/08/09
      42.   #6 Funny you should ask, Jennifer 06:52  |  Johnboy 06/08/09
      43.   #21 Errr, Ed, read between the lines..... 06:57  |  Johnboy 06/08/09
      44.   TEMPORARY I`m sure Israel can live with such weasel words 07:00  |  jim the mechanic 06/08/09
      45.   To Darth Zaider 07:20  |  john of Jordan 06/08/09
      46.   Johnboy speaks as if an authority, but is clueless 07:26  |  SDHD 06/08/09
      47.   Not Even One Day: Not Here In OUR Land 07:31  |  Yishai Kohen 06/08/09
      48.   #27, MIRON, sure, as soon as israel... 07:32  |  VIPER 06/08/09
      49.   No Arab reciprocity in 6 months, Obama forks over restitution... 07:35  |  Dr. L. Brnd 06/08/09
      50.   If Obama can`t move Israel, then he won`t move anybody 07:35  |  Natallie Durson 06/08/09
      51.   MichaelF is free to leave USA anytime 07:35  |  dont let the door 06/08/09
      52.   Why for just a year? Why not Permanantly? 07:41  |  Tzfonit 06/08/09
      53.   # 6 Just say NO 07:41  |  Nahman Umani 06/08/09
      54.   The ?Mandate for Palestine? is Valid to This Day. 07:54  |  B. Gold 06/08/09
      55.   Settlement Freeze 07:56  |  fredyr 06/08/09
      56.   US siding with Israel against Palestinians again? 07:58  |  un2here 06/08/09
      57.   US asks....How about a "NEVER" ! (end) 07:59  |  DT 06/08/09
      58.   it`s about Jew hatred! 08:03  |  Mark 06/08/09
      59.   Obama should take a lesson from Israel 08:18  |  Natallie Durson 06/08/09
      60.   KISS 08:19  |  kiwi girl 06/08/09
      61.   So Many Ways to Say No to Any Chance for Peace 08:19  |  SadButTrue 06/08/09
      62.   Why do settlements have to be built.... 08:33  |  Mohammaed 06/08/09
      63.   Forgive Them They Know Not What they Do 08:46  |  Dave 06/08/09
      64.   what has me worried 09:05  |  rm 06/08/09
      65.   America and UN nations should recognize Palestinian state NOW! 09:23  |  Joe 06/08/09
      66.   Don`t trust the settlers with a "freeze"... 09:30  |  Esther 06/08/09
      67.   Arab-Israeli Charade 09:31  |  Walid 06/08/09
      68.   Agree, 1 Rocket Gazan`s Tranferd out. 2 Iran no compliance Nukeit 09:35  |  Avraham 06/08/09
      69.   Just say NO! 09:57  |  Wise Saba 06/08/09
      70.   Tzfonit - What Might be Possible 10:06  |  Mark of Lewiston 06/08/09
      71.   Bracha/Tzfonit- Your house is also built on Palestinian land 10:13  |  Lanlan 06/08/09
      72.   one-year settlement freeze 10:17  |  Ralph 06/08/09
      73.   Settlements and peace mix like fire and water. Just say no! 10:27  |  Ivar 06/08/09
      74.   Freezing, deposits, 12 months,.. no interest.? 10:31  |  Stephen. 06/08/09
      75.   One Year? Tell Me Another One! 10:36  |  Heather Czerniak 06/08/09
      76.   Here we go again. 10:39  |  Steve the Pals. 06/08/09
      77.   #50 Don`t be so pessimistic, Natallie 10:39  |  Johnboy 06/08/09
      78.   @ Tzfonit 10:52  |  rm 06/08/09
      79.   So the Palestinians are kept hostage 11:15  |  Frank Carter 06/08/09
      80.   @ Kiwi girl 11:16  |  Luca 06/08/09
      81.   End this charade. Go to Final Status. 11:30  |  Keith T. 06/08/09
      82.   GIVE and take.The Arabs give? 11:38  |  PETER SM 06/08/09
      83.   What a peculiar outlook, Heather #75 11:39  |  Esther 06/08/09
      84.   #1 flyingdoc as bad as absolute swede? 12:01  |  Welshman 06/08/09
      85.   #11 SMF reciporicty 12:06  |  Welshman 06/08/09
      86.   settlemetnt freeze 12:19  |  luisa morgantini 06/08/09
      87.   rm 12:21  |  Walid 06/08/09
      88.   when are israels spineless politicians going to say F.O. 12:37  |  vhardman 06/08/09
      89.   One year freeze -one year sham 12:40  |  Sushi 06/08/09
      90.   What is the point of this complex diplomatic dance. 12:45  |  Erastus CoupeDeVille 06/08/09
      91.   US asks... and Israel should respond: Demand of the Arabs to... 12:56  |  Avigdor 06/08/09
      92.   Mitchel can`t be responsible for fate of Israel. 13:03  |  Vital 06/08/09
      93.   Mitchell`s Trickery will not work 13:06  |  Brod 06/08/09
      94.   Durson & Johnboy, cross fingers, perhaps Obama will be "Father" 13:10  |  Israeli citizen 06/08/09
      95.   "Frank Carter" The arabs keep your pals caged. 13:13  |  petra 06/08/09
      96.   WELSHMAN AND INTERNATIONAL LAW 13:13  |  Brant 06/08/09
      97.   JOHNBOY FOR UN SEC`Y GENERAL 13:17  |  Brant 06/08/09
      98.   #96 Brant 14:01  |  Welshman 06/08/09
      99.   Mark of Lewiston, a year`s freeze and a year`s Hudna? 14:08  |  Tzfonit 06/08/09
      100.   Re B.Gold #54 `The ?Mandate for Palestine?... 14:33  |  Colin Wright 06/08/09
      101.   #73 ivar and his incredible idiotic contentions 14:37  |  v hardman 06/08/09
      102.   The minimum the Arab countries will expect from Pres Obama 14:51  |  Stephen L 06/08/09
      103.   #27 Miron 15:01  |  Johnboy 06/08/09
      104.   Didn`t Mitchel imply 15:01  |  Jackie 06/08/09
      105.   President Obama Must Impose Peace 15:21  |  khairi janbek 06/08/09
      106.   How Long Will This Cover Up Continue? 15:28  |  Yaakov Sullivan 06/08/09
      107.   Good idea, let`s put Arabs & Palestinians on the test again ... 15:46  |  Daniel 06/08/09
      108.   Obama has been defeated - what next? 16:17  |  Nasrim Khil 06/08/09
      109.   Netanyahu has been rewarded by Obama 16:26  |  Barry Wheaton 06/08/09
      110.   enough, enough, enough 16:30  |  edgar 06/08/09
      111.   Kiwi girl has it wrong again 16:31  |  Jackie 06/08/09
      112.   Charade, Part 2 16:36  |  Walid 06/08/09
      113.   Walid, try and kick your bad habit. 17:05  |  Tzfonit 06/08/09
      114.   Joe @ 65 is right. Break the stalemate and recognize Palestine... 17:10  |  Ben Alofs 06/08/09
      115.   Tzfonit, a correction please; 17:23  |  Walid 06/08/09
      116.   Colin Wright # 100 Partially Correct 17:28  |  Jeff Northridge 06/08/09
      117.   114 dr ben and still inthe welsh mountain clouds 17:46  |  v hardman 06/08/09
      118.   Nathali, Gaza and Israel 17:58  |  arik 06/08/09
      119.   One Year Settlement Freeze 18:00  |  Shimhon 06/08/09
      120.   Stop putting words in MY mouth, Walid. 18:02  |  Tzfonit 06/08/09
      121.   Settlement Freeze 18:36  |  Alexander 06/08/09
      122.   NOT GOING TO HAPPEN 18:38  |  BECAUSE... 06/08/09
      123.   Ben Alofs # 114 What 1967 Borders? 18:42  |  Jeff Northridge 06/08/09
      124.   USA Not Unreasonable 18:51  |  Vladek 06/08/09
      125.   Jeff Northridge 18:55  |  Walid 06/08/09
      126.   To sweet Tzfonit 18:55  |  Carol 06/08/09
      127.   So make it a one-year freeze...what is there to discuss? 19:00  |  S 06/08/09
      128.   Jeff Northridge, "right of re-establishment" a double edged sword 19:07  |  Ben Alofs 06/08/09
      129.   Who should I listen to? U.S./Obama or HaShem? 19:10  |  Who would you? 06/08/09
      130.   # 98 Welsman 19:15  |  Scott 06/08/09
      131.   And when the year is up and there is no agreement with the Pals 19:18  |  Zev 06/08/09
      132.   Only if the freeze is for both sides 19:21  |  Ben 06/08/09
      133.   # 128 Nope 19:36  |  Ibn 06/08/09
      134.   # 123 jeff 19:39  |  Axel 06/08/09
      135.   # 129 19:42  |  Axel 06/08/09
      136.   #128 Ben Alofs 19:44  |  BDS 06/08/09
      137.   Jeff Northridge and the Borders 19:44  |  Yaakov Sullivan 06/08/09
      138.   # 116 jeff 19:56  |  Axel 06/08/09
      139.   Ben Alofs # 128 It Doesn`t Work The Other Way Around 20:02  |  Jeff Northridge 06/08/09
      140.   Israel should say NO.. US is not taking enough stance against 20:06  |  Ben 06/08/09
      141.   1 year, 2 years - what does it matter? 20:24  |  Reza 06/08/09
      142.   Same old movie scripts! 20:37  |  Arthur 06/08/09
      143.   # 142 arthur 20:52  |  Axel 06/08/09
      144.   Jeff Northridge, We know you believe this 21:03  |  Yaakov Sullivan 06/08/09
      145.   How about a complete one-year freeze in US/Israel relations? 21:03  |  Lou Medel 06/08/09
      146.   To not so sweet Carol 21:16  |  Tzfonit 06/08/09
      147.   Johnboy in Oz 21:44  |  Jennifer 06/08/09
      148.   Nahman Umani 22:01  |  Jennifer 06/08/09
      149.   Esther... 22:10  |  Heather Czerniak 06/08/09
      150.   # 147 jennifer 22:22  |  Axel 06/08/09
      151.   Jennifer You are only half correct. 22:25  |  Chet 06/08/09
      152.   Fortuna in Cartagena COLUMBIA 22:42  |  Miriam 06/08/09
      153.   it takes two sides to make peace 23:07  |  jane 06/08/09
      154.   No preconditioning acceptable if this is basis for mutual negotia 23:23  |  H.H.M 06/08/09
      155.   US meant first freeze, than deep freeze 23:48  |  Hub 06/08/09
      156.   this is futile, Hamas is the big elephant in the room 23:51  |  chilem 06/08/09
      157.   Obama, are you crazy? 00:17  |  Gully Foyle 07/08/09
      158.   The US should offer concessions of their own... 00:19  |  Jordan 07/08/09
      159.   Chet 00:28  |  Jennifer 07/08/09
      160.   Axel # 138 The "Where" 00:32  |  Jeff Northridge 07/08/09
      161.   Yes, ok. Freeze all funds to the UNWRA in Gaza 00:33  |  Dani 07/08/09
      162.   Joe No. 65--you are absolutely correct 00:35  |  steve 07/08/09
      163.   Israel sounds insane for not agreeing to such a simple request 00:57  |  binny 07/08/09
      164.   #153 jeff 01:58  |  Axel 07/08/09
      165.   # 152 jordan 02:00  |  Axel 07/08/09
      166.   Jenifer@147 Exactly correct.We can do anything we wish.because: 02:22  |  Jasmine 07/08/09
      167.   Heather Simply put@148 What the arabs want is not PEACE,BUT MORE 02:26  |  Jasmine 07/08/09
      168.   Sweet Carol@126 Your post is not worthy for anyone to REPLY 02:32  |  Jasmine 07/08/09
      169.   Of Course you are right,and nothing will change because: 02:42  |  Jasmine 07/08/09
      170.   ACCURACY WELSHMAN, PLEASE 02:44  |  Brant 07/08/09
      171.   Keep whining - we`ll keep building! 03:11  |  Settler 07/08/09
      172.   Stephen Geneve@74 No way will Israel accept it.FULLSTOPGood post 03:11  |  Jasmine 07/08/09
      173.   U.S. should DEMAND Freeze 07:08  |  Bill 07/08/09
      174.   99 Tzfonit - Real Pressure 07:31  |  Mark of Lewiston 07/08/09
      175.   #139 You are spouting nonsense, Jeff. 09:07  |  Johnboy 07/08/09
      176.   US Must Grab Israel by the nose and give it a swift kick in the a 09:18  |  Ram Steiger 07/08/09
      177.   #152 Jeff Northridge 09:49  |  Johnboy 07/08/09
      178.   To Jordan@155 COULDN`T HAVE SAID BETTER MYSELF.AND: 12:09  |  Jasmine 07/08/09
      179.   BRANT@168 Education needed by some.It Seems 13:03  |  Jasmine 07/08/09
      180.   CORRECTION TO STEPHEN @171 13:05  |  Jasmine 07/08/09
      181.   NOT GOING TO HAPPEN@122 BECAUSE 14:46  |  Jasmine 07/08/09
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