A Compromise on Settlements?

Maya Bengal in Ma'ariv:

Rather surprisingly, the Americans have agreed to allow Israel to construct some 2,500 housing units in the settlements. This is in complete contrast to statements relayed to Israel in recent months, since the new administration took office.

The agreement was secured after Defense Minister Ehud Barak was able to convince the Americans to allow Israel to continue and build those units whose construction had already started. In other words, the Americans gave their consent to letting the construction continue of some 700 buildings, which amount to some 2,500 housing units.

Upon his return to Israel, the defense minister reported to the forum of six - which includes, besides himself, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and ministers Avigdor Lieberman, Dan Meridor, Benny Begin, Moshe (Bugi) Yaalon - on the results of the meeting.

In addition, an understanding was reached between Mitchell and Barak that if it was indeed decided to halt settlement construction in the West Bank, this would occur only in the framework of regional negotiations - in which both Syria and Lebanon would also take part.

The Americans have adopted the position that Israel should not be required to halt settlement construction as a precondition, but rather only when the peace process with the Arab countries and the Palestinian Authority gets on track.

A week from now, special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell will arrive once again in Israel and is expected to meet with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

Incidentally, sources close to the defense minister are now saying that the level of tension between Washington and Jerusalem has abated.

According to them, the Americans have worked to accommodate Israel and the atmosphere in now more constructive.

Makor Rishon-Hatzofe reports the reaction of the "forum of six" to the compromise:

Although the details of the meeting between the defense minister and special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell have yet to be made public, ministers of the "forum of six" expressed their disappointment yesterday as to the result of these talks, particularly Barak's lack of significant accomplishments.

The Defense Minister's Bureau rejected the criticism and said yesterday that "the minister's bureau does not tend to respond to reports emerging from classified forums. As for the matter itself, these statements are inaccurate."

Already now there is opposition in the forum to the course aimed at reaching a compromise on the issue of settlements being led by Barak.

Such a course could lead to the evacuation of many outposts and to freezing construction in many settlements.

Leading the opposition to this policy are ministers Yaalon, Lieberman and Begin. Opposing them and siding with Barak are Intelligence Affairs Minister Dan Meridor and Netanyahu himself who has significantly changed his views by adopting the two-state principle.

It indeed appears that Barak intends to evacuate the 23 outposts within a short while.

Mitchell plans to begin his tour of Arab capitals soon and to meet with the leaders of the Palestinian Authority in an effort to reach understandings on matters on which Israel is insisting.

After this he is expected to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu to present him with these and demand something in exchange from Israel.

This will apparently occur after the government's budget for next year is passed on July 15.