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Netanyahu Urges Calm On Settlement Dispute With Washington

   U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Israel's housing plan and
   the timing of its announcement were 'insulting' to the United States

   VOA News 14 March 2010

Photo: AP

   Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

   Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to calm tensions
   concerning  plans  for an expansion of a Jewish settlement in disputed
   East  Jerusalem  announced  during  a visit by U.S. Vice President Joe
   Biden.
   Mr.  Netanyahu  told Cabinet members Sunday to "not get carried away,"
   as he discussed the strain in relations with Washington.
   The settlement plan calls for building 1,600 new housing units in East
   Jerusalem, which Palestinians want as the capital of a future state.
   Mr.  Netanyahu said the announcement by the Interior Ministry was made
   without  his  knowledge,  and  the  timing  was  not  intentional.  He
   apologized to Biden and expressed hope the matter was closed.
   On  Friday,  U.S.  Secretary  of  State  Hillary Clinton said Israel's
   housing  plan  and  the timing of its announcement were "insulting" to
   the  United  States, and sent "deeply negative signals" for the Middle
   East peace process.
   Palestinian  chief  negotiator  Saeb  Erekat  on Saturday welcomed the
   international condemnation of the Israeli plan.
   The  Middle East diplomatic quartet, comprising the United States, the
   United  Nations, the European Union and Russia, said the international
   community  will not recognize Israel's unilateral action.  The quartet
   also  vowed  to  discuss  the  situation  during a March 19 meeting in
   Moscow.
   Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has demanded a halt to all Israeli
   settlement activity before peace talks can resume.
   U.S.  Middle  East  envoy  George  Mitchell  is scheduled to visit the
   region  to arrange the indirect talks.  Both Mitchell and Clinton also
   plan to attend the Middle East quartet meeting.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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