[Jerusalem Post] Herb Keinon and Tovah Lazaroff - Jerusalem and Washington are currently discussing a compromise agreement over the settlement blocs in the West Bank where construction that has already begun can continue, diplomatic sources said Tuesday. The compromise would allow most of the 2,500 housing units currently under construction to continue to be built, but Israel would declare a temporary moratorium on new projects. Most of the units are in the large settlement blocs near the Green Line such as Ma'ale Adumim, Givat Ze'ev, Gush Etzion and Betar Illit. However, a question has emerged regarding Ariel, which Israel defines as one of the large settlement blocs. Another issue that still needs to be worked out involves what building the U.S. will permit once the freeze ends. Israel is keen on returning to the understandings that it had with the U.S. under the Bush Administration, whereby construction would be permitted inside a settlement's current construction lines.
2009-08-12 06:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive