Netanyahu trying to reach compromise on settlements with U.S.
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent Last update - 06:27 25/06/2009
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1095569.html

PARIS - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is continuing with efforts to
advance compromise formulas that will win support in the Obama
administration on the issue of settlement construction. Ahead of the visit
to Washington by Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Netanyahu is planning to
propose that increased construction in the settlements be allowed for
"natural growth."

This is the latest idea in addition to the possibility of a temporary hiatus
in construction, as reported yesterday by Haaretz.

During his tour of Europe, Netanyahu has so far heard criticism on the issue
of the settlements from leaders considered "friends" - starting with Italian
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, and yesterday from French President
Nicolas Sarkozy.

"I am your friend and therefore I am speaking honestly," Sarkozy told
Netanyahu during their meeting at the Elysee Palace. "You must conduct
confidence building measures and the first must be the absolute freeze on
construction in the settlements."

Netanyahu and his aides are trying to formulate a compromise solution that
will appeal to the U.S. administration. The proposal that the prime minister
is now considering, which Ariel Sharon had previously put forward, is to
carry out a "territorial freeze" to settlement activity. In other words, the
settlements will not expand onto more territory in an effort to meet the
growing needs of settler population without leading to new "facts on the
ground," which would stand as an obstacle to the creation of a future
Palestinian state.

Under this proposal, the only new structures in settlements would be for
public functions, like kindergartens or schools.

"It is possible to resolve the territorial aspect of settlement
construction," Netanyahu said yesterday following his meeting with Sarkozy.
"It is possible to find a formula but this requires good will of all sides.
What is important is to enable people to live normal lives and that is what
I am explaining to the Americans."

However, sources close to Netanyahu have said that they are uncertain
whether the Americans will make do with a "territorial freeze" or whether
the Obama administration will insist on a "demographic freeze" as well.

Another option that was reported yesterday in Haaretz is a "temporary
freeze" of settlement construction, except for projects that have already
begun.

"The main consideration is how long the freeze will remain in place and
whether this may be a precedent that will transform the temporary hiatus
into a permanent one," a source close to Netanyahu said.

Following consultations between Netanyahu and Barak, a planned meeting with
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell in Paris was postponed
until after Barak returns from Washington.

The Defense Minister is hoping to put forth a package deal with the Obama
administration that will incorporate the recent easing of travel
restrictions for the Palestinians.

"If we have significant progress in talks with the Palestinians, the issue
of the settlements will become less central," Barak said.

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