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Source: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1243346517088&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull
Israel Won't Freeze Settlement Construction for Natural Growth
[Jerusalem Post] Herb Keinon - Israel will not freeze settlement construction for natural growth, despite intense pressure from the Obama administration to do so. In addition, in Prime Minister Netanyahu's view, there is no reason housing cannot be built inside major settlement blocs. Defense Minister Barak will discuss the matter this week during a visit to the U.S. Barak has made it clear that he, too, feels it is illogical and impossible to completely stop all construction in the settlements. Israel has made clear to the Americans that it will build in a way that will not impinge on the Palestinians - meaning that construction will be within the designated boundaries of the settlements and there will be no expropriation of new land. The current sense in Jerusalem is that if the U.S. does not honor its previous understandings with Israel, then it has little right to demand that Israel live up to commitments it made in the past.