Israeli Minister: Netanyahu Vowed Not to Freeze Settlements
02/09/2009 Israeli Minister Yossi Peled said Tuesday that the government had no plans to freeze construction in settlements or in occupied Jerusalem. "I have heard with my own ears that there is no agreement on freezing construction in settlements," he said.
"He said there is no agreement to freeze construction in the settlements. I am telling you this first-hand," said Peled, who accompanied Netanyahu on a visit to Europe last week.
Speaking at a conference labeled 'Preserving Jerusalem and the Golan Heights', Peled said he heard while visiting Germany with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that "Jews will continue to live and build in Jerusalem".
Regarding the peace process he said, "We must talk with whoever is willing to talk with us, but we mustn't lose our assets."
Peled also called for unity in the Likud Party. "Let us raise a call in honor of Rosh Hashana: No more splits in the movement, despite differences and different opinions."
Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin also spoke at the conference, and said he trusted in Netanyahu. "The people of Israel arrived in the Land of Israel to live in peace. Living in peace means making every effort to make peace, but not to have illusions where there are limitations," he said.
"The Land of Israel is the land of the people of Israel, and we don't need anyone to actualize our sovereignty in Israel."
Recently the government has been working with the US in order to restart the peace process with the Palestinians by freezing some construction in the West Bank. The Israeli prime minister is scheduled to send envoys to meet with US special envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, on Wednesday in order to discuss the freeze.
On Sunday Netanyahu said he had not yet made any decision on the US demand that Israel freeze all settlement activity on occupied Palestinian land as part of efforts to jump-start the stalled Middle East peace process.
Recent media reports suggested Israel would agree to a nine-month freeze in the occupied West Bank but not in occupied east Jerusalem. Palestinians have insisted they would not accept a partial settlement freeze.
The thorny issue of settlements on occupied Palestinian land - which house some half a million Israelis and are considered illegal by the international community - are among the main obstacles in the peace process.
02/09/2009 Israeli Minister Yossi Peled said Tuesday that the government had no plans to freeze construction in settlements or in occupied Jerusalem. "I have heard with my own ears that there is no agreement on freezing construction in settlements," he said.
"He said there is no agreement to freeze construction in the settlements. I am telling you this first-hand," said Peled, who accompanied Netanyahu on a visit to Europe last week.
Speaking at a conference labeled 'Preserving Jerusalem and the Golan Heights', Peled said he heard while visiting Germany with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that "Jews will continue to live and build in Jerusalem".
Regarding the peace process he said, "We must talk with whoever is willing to talk with us, but we mustn't lose our assets."
Peled also called for unity in the Likud Party. "Let us raise a call in honor of Rosh Hashana: No more splits in the movement, despite differences and different opinions."
Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin also spoke at the conference, and said he trusted in Netanyahu. "The people of Israel arrived in the Land of Israel to live in peace. Living in peace means making every effort to make peace, but not to have illusions where there are limitations," he said.
"The Land of Israel is the land of the people of Israel, and we don't need anyone to actualize our sovereignty in Israel."
Recently the government has been working with the US in order to restart the peace process with the Palestinians by freezing some construction in the West Bank. The Israeli prime minister is scheduled to send envoys to meet with US special envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, on Wednesday in order to discuss the freeze.
On Sunday Netanyahu said he had not yet made any decision on the US demand that Israel freeze all settlement activity on occupied Palestinian land as part of efforts to jump-start the stalled Middle East peace process.
Recent media reports suggested Israel would agree to a nine-month freeze in the occupied West Bank but not in occupied east Jerusalem. Palestinians have insisted they would not accept a partial settlement freeze.
The thorny issue of settlements on occupied Palestinian land - which house some half a million Israelis and are considered illegal by the international community - are among the main obstacles in the peace process.
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