To continue its freeze on settlement building, Israel is proposing a deal. Not with the Palestinians but rather with Americans. Israel is asking for the release of Jonathan Pollard, the convicted Israeli spy who received a life sentence in 1987 for turning presidential directives of the US policy towards Iran to Israel. A close aid to Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu is floating the idea of making the “exchange” on the Israeli radio airwaves and behind closed doors. In hindsight, making this deal will divert attention of the press and parties from the focal point of the Israeli and Palestinians talks, If Mr. Netanyahu can only guarantee extending the current moratorium on the settlement activities after the release of a convicted spy, and then a suspension for only three months. After the Palestinians have made it clear that they will walk away from the talks if the building of illegal settlements resumes. Mr. Nathanyahu is only delaying the inevitable, a break down in the so-called peace talks.
