JERUSALEM (WJC)–As part of a planned 90-day settlement freeze, the United States is reportedly demanding that Israel refrain from construction not only in the West Bank but also in the eastern part of Jerusalem. Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unlikely to win their support, ministers of the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party have said they would abstain in the vote, provided the final agreement specifically excludes Jerusalem from the building moratorium. Netanyahu met with Shas Leader Eli Yishai – his interior minister – and Minister Ariel Attias in a bid to convince them not to vote down the settlement freeze when the motion is brought to the Cabinet.
However, a US official told the newspaper ‘Haaretz’ that “if the moratorium deal goes through, we will continue to press for quiet throughout East Jerusalem during the 90 days, regardless of what Bibi is telling Shas now.”
The unnamed official added that President Barack Obama had committed in an message to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas last April that the US expects both sides to refrain from “actions that would seriously undermine trust,” including in the eastern part of the Israeli capital, and would respond with “steps, actions, or adjustments in policy” to any such provocative actions as long as negotiations are underway. Netanyahu’s office issued a statement, saying that that construction in Jerusalem would not be frozen. But on Thursday, Abbas said that the Palestinian Authority would not resume peace talks with Israel until it stops construction of Jewish settlements in east Jerusalem, too. Abbas laid out his terms during a meeting with the US special envoy to the Middle East David Hill.
Meanwhile, an official close to the Shas party told ‘Haaretz’ on Thursday that Defense Minister Ehud Barak had promised to authorize construction of hundreds of apartments for ultra-Orthodox Jews in the West Bank just outside Jerusalem immediately after the moratorium expires if Shas ministers abstain from the Cabinet vote.
Netanyahu said on Wednesday that he was close to reaching understandings on the agreement, and a US official said that Washington was drafting a letter detailing understandings on the proposed 90-day moratorium. Netanyahu, who has said he would push hard to clinch a deal, also wants Washington to spell out that the proposed moratorium would be the last of its kind. President Shimon Peres expressed hope that in the next few days the details of the agreement could be finalized and direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians resume.
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Preceding provided by World Jewish Congress