Israeli Cabinet to consider US settlement proposal

Israels prime minister briefed his Cabinet Sunday on a package of security and diplomatic incentives the US has proposed to entice Israel to renew limits on settlement construction and revive moribund peace talks with the Palestinians. The Palestinians expressed strong reservations about the proposal because the 90-day moratorium on new construction would apply only to the West Bank, not east Jerusalem, the Palestinians hoped-for capital. Still, they did not reject it outright, saying they would consult among themselves and with Arab leaders. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of the Cabinet meeting that details of the proposed deal were still being finalized by Israeli and US teams. He said when the proposal was complete, he would bring it before an inner Cabinet of decision-makers.

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