Netanyahu: There will be no construction freeze

By AMY TEIBEL (AP) – 4 hours ago

JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rebuffed U.S. demands for a total West Bank settlement freeze on Monday, digging in his heels before a crucial meeting with Washington's special Mideast envoy.

Netanyahu told parliament's powerful foreign affairs and defense committee that Israel would consider suspending any new plans to build in the West Bank for a limited time, according to a meeting participant.

But Netanyahu said he would allow approved construction plans to go ahead in order to strike a balance between Israel's desire to resume talks with the Palestinians while at the same time enabling "normal life" in the settlements, a euphemism for building to accommodate the growing settler population.

Israel will continue to build some 3,000 apartments ... more ...