(Haaretz,Jpost).Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks with several Likud cabinet ministers and Knesset members over the weekend, in an attempt to persuade them to support a freeze on construction in the West Bank settlements.
One of Netanyahu's main messages is that Israel has done its part, and that he is now waiting to see what gestures toward normalizing ties Arab states are willing to make.
Ministers and MKs who spoke with Netanyahu and his associates told Haaretz that the prime minister showed them the final agreement reached with the U.S. administration on suspending settlement construction. A source in the Prime Minister's Office said Netanyahu did not use the word "moratorium" or "freeze," opting instead to describe the proposed measure as "reducing the scale of construction."
Earlier on Sunday morning, Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz told Israel Radio he supports and trusts Netanyahu. Likud ministers Moshe Kahlon (Communications), Gilad Erdan (Environment) and Yuli Edelstein (Diaspora Affairs) also expressed support in the prime minister.
One of Netanyahu's main messages is that Israel has done its part, and that he is now waiting to see what gestures toward normalizing ties Arab states are willing to make.
Ministers and MKs who spoke with Netanyahu and his associates told Haaretz that the prime minister showed them the final agreement reached with the U.S. administration on suspending settlement construction. A source in the Prime Minister's Office said Netanyahu did not use the word "moratorium" or "freeze," opting instead to describe the proposed measure as "reducing the scale of construction."
Earlier on Sunday morning, Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz told Israel Radio he supports and trusts Netanyahu. Likud ministers Moshe Kahlon (Communications), Gilad Erdan (Environment) and Yuli Edelstein (Diaspora Affairs) also expressed support in the prime minister.
Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz, of the Likud, said no agreement had been made yet with the US on the construction freeze. "I think the prime minister's move is well thought out and allows for the preservation of construction in Jerusalem as well as normal lives in the settlements," he said.