TEL AVIV, Israel—The 10-month moratorium on building in the West Bank that the Israeli government had previously mandated expired on Sunday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to continue direct talks with his administration.
President Abbas said Monday that the Palestinians do not intend to respond immediately.
“I call on [Palestinian Authority] President Abbas to continue the good and sincere talks that we have just started, in order to reach a historic peace agreement between our two peoples,” Netanyahu said in an official statement released from his office Sunday night, a few minutes before the expiration of the moratorium.
“I say to President Abbas: For the future of both our peoples, let us focus on what is really important. Let us proceed in accelerated, sincere and continuous talks in order to bring about an historic peace framework agreement within one year,” stated Netanyahu.
According to the Miami Herald, In his annual address the to United Nations, President Obama stated, “Israel’s settlement moratorium has made a difference on the ground and improved the atmosphere for talks. Our position on this issue is well-known. We believe that the moratorium should be extended.”
Obama had earlier stated the same position during a Sept. 10 White House press conference. On Sept. 16, the European Union also advocated for an extension of the moratorium, stated the Jerusalem Post.
As bulldozers renewed construction activity in the West Bank on Monday, President Abbas made a speech during a press conference that he attended with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris.
President Abbas said the Palestinians do not intend to respond immediately, they would not say yes or no to continuing the talks, according to a broadcast by Israeli Channel 2 TV.
Earlier, Abbas said to the AFP in Paris that he was in no hurry to respond to Israel’s decision not to extend the moratorium, and he will first consult with Palestinian and Arab leaders. Abbas said that Palestinians will hold a Cabinet meeting later this week, and the subsequent step will be an Oct. 4 discussion with the Arab foreign ministers.
Abbas said that he and Netanyahu have agreed to take another week to find a compromise that will allow direct talks, according to Israeli media reports.
In recent days, Netanyahu has talked with U.S. Secretary of State Clinton, other senior U.S. government officials, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordan’s King Abdullah, updating them about his efforts to continue the talks.
Abbas had previously warned that the Palestinian side would not carry on with the peace talks if the settlers restarted construction. Israeli media has reported that Hamas, which controls Gaza, called upon the Palestinian leader to keep his promise and end the negotiations.
As the ban expired on Sunday, Israelis planning to settle in the West Bank celebrated, while other Israelis protested outside Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem, calling for an extension.
President Abbas said Monday that the Palestinians do not intend to respond immediately.
“I call on [Palestinian Authority] President Abbas to continue the good and sincere talks that we have just started, in order to reach a historic peace agreement between our two peoples,” Netanyahu said in an official statement released from his office Sunday night, a few minutes before the expiration of the moratorium.
“I say to President Abbas: For the future of both our peoples, let us focus on what is really important. Let us proceed in accelerated, sincere and continuous talks in order to bring about an historic peace framework agreement within one year,” stated Netanyahu.
According to the Miami Herald, In his annual address the to United Nations, President Obama stated, “Israel’s settlement moratorium has made a difference on the ground and improved the atmosphere for talks. Our position on this issue is well-known. We believe that the moratorium should be extended.”
Obama had earlier stated the same position during a Sept. 10 White House press conference. On Sept. 16, the European Union also advocated for an extension of the moratorium, stated the Jerusalem Post.
As bulldozers renewed construction activity in the West Bank on Monday, President Abbas made a speech during a press conference that he attended with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris.
President Abbas said the Palestinians do not intend to respond immediately, they would not say yes or no to continuing the talks, according to a broadcast by Israeli Channel 2 TV.
Earlier, Abbas said to the AFP in Paris that he was in no hurry to respond to Israel’s decision not to extend the moratorium, and he will first consult with Palestinian and Arab leaders. Abbas said that Palestinians will hold a Cabinet meeting later this week, and the subsequent step will be an Oct. 4 discussion with the Arab foreign ministers.
Abbas said that he and Netanyahu have agreed to take another week to find a compromise that will allow direct talks, according to Israeli media reports.
In recent days, Netanyahu has talked with U.S. Secretary of State Clinton, other senior U.S. government officials, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordan’s King Abdullah, updating them about his efforts to continue the talks.
Abbas had previously warned that the Palestinian side would not carry on with the peace talks if the settlers restarted construction. Israeli media has reported that Hamas, which controls Gaza, called upon the Palestinian leader to keep his promise and end the negotiations.
As the ban expired on Sunday, Israelis planning to settle in the West Bank celebrated, while other Israelis protested outside Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem, calling for an extension.
