The Israeli government will reportedly offer the United States a deal: the dismantling of all illegal settlements in exchange for U.S. acceptance of natural growth in existing settlements. Defense Minister and Labor leader Ehud Barak intends to formally offer the compromise during his visit to Washington, D.C. next week. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently clarified the U.S. stance that all types of settlement expansion, including natural growth, must end while Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu largely supports natural growth of existing settlements.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated yesterday his refusal to engage Israel in peace negotiations until the new Israeli administration announces its support of a Palestinian state and ceases all settlement activity. Hamas, though, insisted that it rejects any agreements signed by the Palestinian Authority in upcoming discussions between President Barack Obama and Abbas. This declaration would make any peace process applicable to the West Bank until the ousting of the Hamas government from Gaza.
