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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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8

Israel Willing to Freeze Settlements

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(Newser) – The Israeli government approved the construction of 50 new West Bank homes today, seemingly defying President Obama’s call for a freeze on new settlements. But Defense Minister Ehud Barak plans to offer a temporarily halt on some construction, officials tell the New York Times, if Palestinians agree to negotiate an end to the conflict and other Arab nations take some confidence-building steps.

News of the new settlements comes a few hours before Barak leaves for the US to discuss the issue with George Mitchell. The Israeli officials say he’ll offer to stop new construction for three to six months, but if no progress is made in talks, it will resume. The 50 new homes are part of a plan for a 1,450-home settlement north of Jerusalem.

Palestinian men work at a construction site in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Maaleh Adumim, near Jerusalem, Tuesday, June 9, 2009.
Palestinian men work at a construction site in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Maaleh Adumim, near Jerusalem, Tuesday, June 9, 2009.   (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)
A Palestinian worker walks at a construction site in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Maaleh Adumim, near Jerusalem, Monday, June 22, 2009.
A Palestinian worker walks at a construction site in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Maaleh Adumim, near Jerusalem, Monday, June 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)
Palestinian workers drive bulldozers and build a sidewalk at a construction site in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Maaleh Adumim, near Jerusalem, Monday, June 22, 2009.
Palestinian workers drive bulldozers and build a sidewalk at a construction site in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Maaleh Adumim, near Jerusalem, Monday, June 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Dan Balilty)
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8 comments
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polstroad
Jun 29, 09 9:57 AM CDT
I am a fimr supporter of Israel, but this move is typical: if this and if that...meantime, till such a time, we go ahead with building in the West Bank. Reply
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+1
MOE37x3
Jun 29, 09 12:04 PM CDT
"But Tel Aviv is willing to ..." The capital of Israel is Jerusalem, not Tel Aviv, as is clear, to begin with, from the bylines of the two stories summarized here. What the summarizer did is akin to continuing with something like "... but New York disagreed with the plan, ..." Reply
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MOE37x3
Jun 29, 09 3:03 PM CDT
I see that the phrase I objected to has now been fixed. Kudos to the editors!
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+3
Newser001
Jun 29, 09 1:01 PM CDT
This is nothing new, but a smoke screen. The game continues. Israel has agreed in the past to adhere to terms of established terms, agreements with regard to settlements; it appears they're incapable of sustaining such promises. I too support Israel, but not in every way... Especially the most recent incursions into Gaza as they were disproportional in force. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
godawgs
Jun 29, 09 1:43 PM CDT
You know what there is no disproportional force when someone is randomly firing rockets into your country.
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