Barak: Israel unlikely to extend current settlement freeze

[Chris]

Barak: Israel unlikely to extend current settlement freeze - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

Barak: Israel unlikely to extend current settlement freeze
Freeze on West Bank construction will end as scheduled on Sept. 26 - but may continue in another form, defense minister says, hinting that Israel may compromise to keep talks alive.
By The Associated Press

Israel's slowdown in West Bank settlement construction is unlikely to continue in its current form after it expires at the end of this month, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Sunday. But Barak said he did not believe Israel will entirely cancel the 10-month curbs and the minister appeared to be leaving room for a compromise that might allow the Palestinians to continue the fragile direct negotiations, which began in Washington last week. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he warned Netanyahu last week he will leave the talks if Israel doesn't extend the slowdown. Barak noted that Israel had permitted limited construction in settlements during the slowdown and he expects some construction to continue after the Sept. 26 deadline.

[Chris]

Netanyahu really needs to reign in this little Mr. Magoo of a defense minister. It seems like Barak is always speaking for Israel and not letting Netanyahu speak for Israel. Hopefully Israel will end the settlement freeze and refuse to extend a part of it. They never had a construction freeze before so they don't need one now.

[gulliver]

Barak: Israel unlikely to extend current settlement freeze
Freeze on West Bank construction will end as scheduled on Sept. 26 - but may continue in another form, defense minister says, hinting that Israel may compromise to keep talks alive.
By The Associated Press

Israel's slowdown in West Bank settlement construction is unlikely to continue in its current form after it expires at the end of this month, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Sunday. But Barak said he did not believe Israel will entirely cancel the 10-month curbs and the minister appeared to be leaving room for a compromise that might allow the Palestinians to continue the fragile direct negotiations, which began in Washington last week.