Advertisement

Israeli FM says settlement freeze will end

JERUSALEM, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Israel will not extend the building freeze on West Bank settlements past its Sept. 26 expiration date, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said.

Lieberman made the comment during a telephone conversation with his British counterpart, Foreign Secretary William Hague, on Saturday, Israeli media reported Sunday.

Advertisement

"The Palestinians wasted nine months, and even in the tenth month they did not come to the talks out of goodwill to reach an agreement, but because they were forced to," Lieberman said referring to the resumption of direct talks between the sides, the Haaretz daily quoted him saying.

"The settlement freeze is just a Palestinian excuse to undermine peace talks, and anyone who seeks excuses will find another excuse even if the freeze is extended," Lieberman reportedly said.

Referring to statements by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that if Israel continues construction in the settlements he will leave the talks, Lieberman said: "Israel would be happy to continue on the track of direct peace negotiations without preconditions, including no conditions regarding the future of the settlement construction freeze."

Lieberman said the international community must support the negotiations by giving Israel incentives and refraining from increasing pressure on the Jewish state to make concessions, Ynetnews.com said.

Advertisement

In an effort to encourage a renewal of peace talks between the sides, Israel imposed a 10-month construction freeze on West Bank settlements which is due to expire next week.

Latest Headlines