Israel’s prime minister will announce a 10-month freeze on settlement construction, local and international media are reporting.
According to the reports, Benjamin Netanyahu could make the announcement as early as Wednesday afternoon, following a meeting of his Security Cabinet.
The reports cite sources in the Prime Minister’s Office as well as in the Obama administration. There has been no official response from the Prime Minister’s Office.
The freeze reportedly will not cover eastern Jerusalem and will not apply to construction that has already been authorized. Public buildings will also not fall under the freeze, according to Ha’aretz.
The Palestinians say they will not return to the negotiating table unless there is a halt in settlement construction, including in eastern Jerusalem.
Netanyahu has said he would call for a halt to new housing starts in the West Bank in order to jump start peace negotiations.
