It appears that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is becoming more amenable to a U.S. plan that would halt settlements for an additional two months and during that time negotiations on final borders would commence.
This plan is interesting for two reasons. First, tieing the settlement freeze to metrics represents a clear timeframe that both parties know they must adhere to or face either the crumbling of peace talks or heightened U.S. pressure that could result in a more one-sided posture from the White House.
Secondly, an interesting analysis points to Netanyahu’s backing of a loyalty oath legislation as a a gift to the right (and Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beitenu party in particular) for not leaving the coalition over the a new settlement moratorium. Leiberman was Netanyahu’s kingmaker in the last election and his leaving the coalition would most certainly result in new elections because Tzipi Livni is unlikely to bring her Kadima party to the government’s rescue. Therefore, this loyalty oath measure, while controversial, could emerge as the peace process’ saving grace.
