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JERUSALEM, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Israeli President Shimon Peres expressed hope that talks between Israel and the Palestinians will resume within days, Israeli media said. Peres said he hoped that the U.S. proposal asking Israel extend a West Bank building freeze for an additional 90 days will be finalized in days, paving the way for a renewal in peace negotiations, Israel Radio said Thursday.
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"I hope that within days we will be able to progress to direct talks with the Palestinians," Peres told visiting Russian deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov, the radio reported.
Wednesday night, Channel One television said the U.S. is currently drawing up a written proposal for an incentives package in exchange for the construction freeze extension which Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is to present to the cabinet for a vote.
A statement released by the prime minister's office said the document would reflect understandings reached between the United States and Israel, and that Jerusalem would not be included in the building freeze.
"Jerusalem is outside of the discussion on this issue," Netanyahu's office said.
However a U.S. official told Haaretz Thursday the U.S. will demand Israel refrain from construction both in the West Bank as well as in East Jerusalem during the freeze.
In an effort to persuade Israel to support an extension of the construction freeze, Washington has offered Israel 20 fighter jets, as well as a pledge to veto any anti-Israeli resolutions submitted at the United Nations.
