At a press conference this evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a halt to construction in West Bank settlements for ten months. At a security cabinet meeting held earlier, ministers approved the announcement by a large majority, with both Benny Begin and Avigdor Lieberman voting in favor.
"Today, the cabinet approved the suspension of new building starts and approvals for new residential construction in Judea and Samaria for ten months," the prime minister said. "This is not an easy step, and it's a painful one, and we are taking it in order to encourage the renewal of negotiations with our neighbors. I hope that the Palestinians will take advantage of this opportunity to promote peace.
"Since the government was sworn in eight months ago, I have repeatedly called for a renewal of talks with the Palestinians. In my speech at Bar Ilan University, I set out a vision of peace. The question is not whether the Israelis will agree to a Palestinian state, but whether the Palestinians will agree to the existence of a Jewish state.
"Over the past several months, the economic situation in Judea and Samaria has improved thanks to the relaxations we introduced. Today, we have added a most important diplomatic gesture. It's a difficult step for me and for my fellow ministers, but I am convinced that leadership is judged by the ability to carry out the right decisions. In my view, this is the step that is called for."
On the question of construction in Jerusalem, Netanyahu added, "I am not imposing any restriction on construction in our capital," and he also stated that "at the end of the suspension period, construction activity in Judea and Samaria will resume."
A source close to the prime minister said that the move was designed to strengthen Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) against the background of the deal emerging for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, in which prisoners belonging to Hamas, the rival group to Abbas's Fatah, will be freed.
However, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told AP, "Any freeze that does not include East Jerusalem will be unacceptable." The Palestinians have made a halt to construction in the settlements a condition of restarting peace negotiations.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 25, 2009
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