Interesting days in the Middle East
This report in today's Haaretz seems to indicate
Israel will agree to temporarily freeze construction in settlements in the framework of new understandings that Jerusalem will reach with Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told European foreign ministers last week.
The Administration has asked for a complete freeze, including in East Jerusalem. Israel, to date, has rejected the idea of a freeze in jerusalem and appears to be willing to accept a time limited "temporary freeze" elsewhere, excepting for building currently in process.
Will the US accept Israel's POV? Should we?
Lots of travel this week. George Mitchell is in Israel today, SecDef and Jim Jones arriving later in the week.
The Americans are willing to allow most of the projects currently under construction to continue. A source close to Barak said that "if a moratorium is decided on, it will be in the framework of a more inclusive and wider deal."
But last Sunday, the cabinet decided that more than a third of the budget of the World Zionist Organization's Settlement Division for 2009 will go to assist agriculture in Jewish communities over the Green Line. NIS 20 million was included in the overall budget report presented to the cabinet.
Clinton: Israel to agree to temporary settlement freeze
It is unclear how the Palestinian negotiators will react to a compromise with this structure, they are concerned that ISrael will use the remaining time before final negotiations to consolidate building a belt of suburbs ad control around Jerusalem, thus cutting off East Jerusalem from the West Bank.
Is this smoke?
Meanwhile the Brits restate their call to include Hamas in negotiations
British legislators on Sunday urged the government to engage in talks with "moderate elements" within Hamas, saying that the Quartet's policy of shunning the Palestinian group until it accepts previous understandings with Israel, renounces violence and comes to terms with Israel's existence, had proven to be counterproductive.
British MPs want gov't to engage Hamas
Should the US take half a loaf and carry the water for a limited. temporary freeze with exceptions?