Israeli ministers from Netanyahu's party slam settlement freeze

Jerusalem - Ministers in Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party voiced opposition Sunday to a decision to freeze construction in the West Bank, with the most senior critic, Vice Premier Silvan Shalom, saying the move was "unnecessary." Shalom, who in recent months has positioned himself to the political right of Netanyahu, was quoted in media reports as saying the freeze would not lead to the resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians, and added that "harming the (West Bank) settlements will have implications on the country's future."

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has made a restart of peace talks conditional on a total halt to Israeli construction in West Bank settlements.

He has rejected Netanyahu's decision, announced Wednesday night after a vote of the inner security-diplomatic cabinet, to freeze housing starts in the West Bank - but not in East Jerusalem - for 10 months.

Another Likud official, Environment Minister Gilad Erdan, said orders issued by Defense Minister Ehud Barak Friday to stop construction in the West Bank were "extreme" and could even "pose a threat to settler's human rights."

The Jerusalem Post daily said Sunday that 11 out of 30 cabinet ministers, including at least four from the Likud, oppose the freeze.

Opposition to the freeze has also percolated down to rank-and-file Likud lawmakers. Back-bench legislator Danny Danon organized a meeting Saturday night to express opposition to the construction halt.

Speakers at the meeting, who included settler leaders, did not mince words, attacking US President Barack Obama, who initially demanded that Israel freeze all settlement construction.

Avi Naim, head of the Beit Ariyeh settlement, said the Obama Adminstration was "and enemy of the Jews" and "the worst regime there ever was for the State of Israel."

On Thursday night, Sport and Culture Minister Limor Livnat, launched a verbal attack on the US Administration, which she termed "terrible".

Netanyahu's office was quick to distance itself from Livnat's remarks, saying her comments did not in any way reflect the view of the prime minister.