US envoy welcomes Israeli settlement moratorium
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration’s special Mideast envoy is welcoming an Israeli announcement of a 10-month freeze for new construction in Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
George Mitchell, who has led administration efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, said the announced moratorium falls short of a full settlement freeze.
But he praised the move as a positive development and a significant step that could move Israel and the Palestinians toward a resumption of peace talks. He also noted that the U.S. government does not recognize the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements.
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