Settlements: Make or break peace issue

JERUSALEM, June 9 (UPI) -- The future of West Bank settlements could be a decisive issue in Palestinian peace talks, an Israel daily newspaper said Tuesday.

In a report on settlement building, the Yedioth Aharonoth said a survey it conducted on West Bank construction showed thousands of settlement housing units were built in the past year.

Despite a U.S. demand for a total freeze on construction in the Jewish settlements, the building that began under the former government continues, the newspaper said, adding the situation could break or make a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

The survey found that under former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's administration, no less then 3,200 housing units were constructed. Since Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu took office, no tenders for additional construction have been advertised, the report says.

The newspaper noted that while the settlers said the construction was necessary growth, many organizations affiliated with the left feel continued building only serves to encourage the migration of additional settlers to the West Bank communities.

The Palestinian Media Center said U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell is considering engaging in talks to set Israel's future border with the West Bank.