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Last update - 21:01 08/09/2009
Defense Minister: Settlement freeze is a national necessity
By Haaretz Service
Tags: Avigdor Lieberman 

Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday called a freeze in West Bank settlements a 'national necessity,' a day after he approved building permits for nearly 500 new housing units in six separate blocs.

"We extent our hand in peace to all of our neighbors," Barak said during a toast held to mark the upcoming Jewish New Year, adding that he hopes Israel, the Palestinians and the international community "realize that the time has come and we must not miss this opportunity."

Barak said that diplomatic decisions carried out by Israel, particularly with regard to settlement construction, "must be done through careful consideration and thought, not through harsh words and violence."
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Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said earlier Tuesday that Israel has not and will not discuss a limit on construction anywhere in Jerusalem.

"We must make it clear it to the world that building in Jerusalem is not limited is not subject to any sort of understandings, agreements or negotiations - we don't intend to discuss or coordinate with anyone in anyway whatsoever construction in Jerusalem," he said.

The foreign minister vowed that disagreements over a settlement freeze will not threaten the governing coalition, saying "the right will not topple the right," adding that his right-wing Yisrael Beitenu party would stay in the coalition even if a freeze is enacted.

Lieberman added that Israel will need to seek a reiteration of the understandings reached with the Bush administration in regard to settlement construction.

EU urges Israel to dismantle 'illegal' settlements'

The European Union on Tuesday urged Israel to "immediately end settlement activities" and dismantle all outposts erected since March 2001.

"Settlements are illegal under international law and constitute an obstacle to peace," the Swedish presidency of the EU said in a
statement.

"The European Union reiterates its call on Israel to immediately
end settlement activities, including in East Jerusalem and including
natural growth, and to dismantle all outposts erected since March
2001," the EU presidency said.

EU foreign ministers said at a meeting in Stockholm on Friday that they expected Israel to announce such a freeze ahead of possible talks in New York between US President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the sidelines of the upcoming UN Security Council General Assembly.

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      1.   Loyality Oath Lieberman 17:29  |  Stephen 08/09/09
      2.   Israeli right 19:47  |  Judith Bailey 08/09/09
      3.   Lieberman vs. the right 19:52  |  arieh zimmerman 08/09/09
      4.   1. Stephen. yeh yeh what about arab terror yeh yeh arab bombs yeh 20:42  |  Harvey McDonaldson 08/09/09
      5.   Re Judith 20:53  |  Apa 08/09/09
      6.   #2 Judith Bailey 21:31  |  BDS 08/09/09
      7.   Judith 21:39  |  Bill 08/09/09
      8.   sorry again, folks 22:22  |  edgar 08/09/09
      9.   Amazing! Incredible! 22:32  |  Morris Valentine 08/09/09
      10.   #1 Stephen: Who is the aggressor? 22:35  |  EZ 08/09/09
      11.   Contradiction In Action! 22:42  |  Ed 08/09/09
      12.   Barak, you are fooling yourself! 22:55  |  Jaap 08/09/09
      13.   East Jerusalem is Palestinian land, not Israeli. 22:58  |  Jaap 08/09/09
      14.   Classic doublespeak from Barak 22:59  |  Joe 08/09/09
      15.   to Judith Bailey #2 23:55  |  zeev 08/09/09
      16.   Ehud Barak doesn`t make sense 01:27  |  Yesh Prabhu 09/09/09
      17.   You`re slipping, Linthwaite. 01:44  |  flyingdoc57 09/09/09
      18.   Apa: no stolen land 02:30  |  Jasper 09/09/09
      19.   Barak - shame on you! 02:34  |  Nahman Umani 09/09/09
      20.   It`s a magnificent new look, isn`t it? 02:43  |  Johnboy 09/09/09
      21.   Oh, he means THAT settlement freeze 02:55  |  Colin Wright 09/09/09
      22.   #2 JUDITH BAILEY 03:28  |  Courcey 09/09/09
      23.   #2 I think I see a flaw in your logic, Judith 04:08  |  Johnboy 09/09/09
      24.   Why is it so quiet here 05:25  |  John of CA 09/09/09
      25.   Barak makes his move 06:11  |  Mark Lincoln 09/09/09
      26.   Jasper 06:33  |  matt 09/09/09
      27.   Jasper - one more thing 06:34  |  matt 09/09/09
      28.   #9 Such nonsense, Jasper. 08:28  |  Johnboy 09/09/09
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