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Netanyahu: US 90-day freeze proposal is not final
JPOST.COM STAFF--November14, 2010--http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=195246--`Proposal

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Sunday that that the proposal put forward by the US for a 90-day settlement freeze in exchange for UN support and military aide if not a final.

`The proposal is going through a formulation process between teams on both the US and Israeli sides. If and when the process is completed, the proposal will be brought to a suitable government forum,` the prime minister said.

Speaking at the beginning of the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said that any offer that is proposed will safeguard the security of Israel.

Before the meeting on Sunday, Coalition head Ze`ev Elkin said he believes the majority of Likud ministers and MKs will oppose Netanyahu`s proposal to approve the American plan. Referring to the international political assistance offered by the US in exchange for the extended freeze, Elkin said that it is possible the assistance could be of more harm to Israel than it is helpful.

Elkin also expressed concern that Israel would be the recipient of heavy pressure from the United States to reach an agreement with Palestinians on borders during the three-month building freeze. Referring to the American offer for an additional 20 fighter jets, he said that Israel should accept the military aid.

Elkin, together with MK Ariye Eldad (National Union) sent a letter on Sunday to the right wing of the government in a call to oppose the US freeze proposal.

The pair called on MKs to `stand with them in this testing time, to oppose every additional freeze and to demand a renewal of building as the cabinet decided.` The letter continued, `No security package can be as worthy as the security provided by the hills and Jordan valley.`

Interior Minister Eli Yishai (Shas) also put forward his view on the offer and laid out conditions under which his Knesset faction would support it.

The conditions that Shas demanded were: That building in Jerusalem resume immediately; that US President Barack Obama send Israel a letter, in which he promises that he will allow building once again in the settlements; that Netanyahu guarantees building will resume once again in three months.

Habayit Hayehudi head Uri Orbach said that he will work to withdraw his party from the coalition if the government renews the building freeze. Orbach said, `Habayit Hayehudi will not be a partner to Netanyahu and the Likud`s freeze obsession.`

[dn]
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