Israel says the curb on building won't go on

Published on Sunday 5 September 2010 14:03

Israel's defence minister yesterday said that a curb on West Bank settlement building was unlikely to continue after the end of this month.

But Ehud Barak says he does not believe Israel will entirely cancel the ten-month curbs. Barak appeared to be leaving room for a compromise that might allow the Palestinians to continue the fragile direct negotiations that began in Washington last week.

Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week he would leave the talks if Israel doesn't extend the slowdown.

Mr Barak noted that Israel had permitted limited construction in settlements during the slowdown and he expects some construction to continue after the 26 September deadline. Meanwhile, it was announced yesterday that second round of direct peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians will take place in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on 14-15 September.

Mr Abbas and Mr Netanyahu will lead the negotiations with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attending, a spokesman said.