Al Jazeera English reported Wednesday that Israel's prime minister announced a 10-month suspension to the construction of new settlement houses in the West Bank.
Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement
came at a press conference Wednesday, during which he said the decision was
made to encourage the peace process with the Palestinians.
Calling the move "far-reaching and
painful," according to a Haaretz report, Netanyahu said
construction would resume after the moratorium is over.
Despite the announcement, another Haaretz
report said many
Palestinian leaders are dissatisfied with the proposal because of its failure
to halt construction in Jerusalem, where Palestinians hope to establish a state
capital in the future.
According to Al Jazeera,
Israel's proposal excludes public buildings and the construction of 3,000
buildings that has already begun.
"This is not a moratorium," said chief Palestinian
negotiator Saeb Erekat. "Unfortunately, we hoped he would commit to a real
settlement freeze so we can resume negotiations and he had a choice between
settlements and peace and he chose settlements."
Netanyahu's announcement comes
after pressure from the Obama administration to freeze settlements. Although
the U.S. president has not made comments on the move yet, U.S. reactions have
been mixed. Middle East envoy George Mitchell said the move was disappointing
because it is not a full freeze on construction, but he acknowledged its
significance and potential positive impact, according to the BBC.
Links:
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/11/2009112517021318173.html
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1130636.html
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1130646.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8379868.stm
