New Israeli Settlement Compromise Shot Down By Palestine

On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a new freeze on settlement construction to Palestine if they chose to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. 

“If the Palestinian leadership will say unequivocally to its people that it recognizes Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people, I will be ready to convene my government and request a further suspension,” Netanyahu said. “This is not a condition but a trust-building step, which would create wide-ranging trust among the Israeli people, who have lost trust in the Palestinian will for peace over the last 10 years.” 

Palestine was quick to reject such an offer and increased looming doubts over the chances of resuming negotiations that stalled last month after Israel refused to extend a 10-month moratorium on housing starts in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.