Lieberman: Settlement building to restart in 10 months

Thu, 17 Dec 2009

Tel Aviv - Israel's announced 10-month partial moratorium on construction in West Bank settlements was only a tactical move and a temporary one, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Thursday night. "It is clear to everyone that in 10 months, we will be building again full force; anyone who understands anything knows this," he told a meeting in the West Bank settlement town of Ariel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the partial moratorium on November 10, in reply to demands by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that Israel halt all settlement activity before suspended peace talks can resume.

But Abbas rejected Netanyahu's announcement, which did not include public buildings or those where construction has already begun, and which also excluded Israeli construction in East Jerusalem.

Lieberman said Thursday night that Israel would make no more overtures to the Palestinian Authority.

"There will be no more overtures, and we will not make another gesture or quarter gesture. Enough with the theatrics and the mediators," he said. "We are prepared for direct negotiations without any conditions or gestures. The ball is in the Palestinians' court."

Israel-Palestinian peace talks were suspended one year ago as Israel began an election campaign, and have not been renewed since.