Netanyahu meets top ministers, but no mention of settlement freeze extension

[azurnoir]

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's forum of senior ministers met Tuesday but did not discuss negotiations with the Palestinians, despite expectations that the forum would discuss a proposal to extend the settlement freeze in exchange for American guarantees.

"The forum of seven discussed preparations for the delegitimization campaign designed to strip Israel from its right to self defense," sources in the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

"During the discussion, the forum heard updates on the upcoming timetable of the UN committee investigating the events of the Gaza flotilla," the statement said. "The ministers did not touch on the topic of Israel-PA peace talks," it added.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to convene the forum of seven on Tuesday in order to debate extending Israel's moratorium on construction in West Bank settlements for 60 days, after Israel's 10-month construction freeze ended on September 26.

The concession would be made in exchange for a series of reported U.S. guarantees in Israel's direct peace negotiations with the Palestinians.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/netanyahu-meets-top-ministers-but-no-mention-of-settlement-freeze-extension-1.317357

[oberliner]

1. Something has got to give

Unclear what that will be but without a major change - this is going nowhere.