RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — A top Palestinian negotiator says the Palestinians have accepted a U.S. proposal calling on Israel to extend a West Bank settlement slowdown for another two months.
Nabil Shaath says the Palestinians accept such a limited extension provided the two sides can reach agreement on the borders between Israel and a future Palestine in those two months.
It’s unclear whether Israel’s pro-settler government will agree.
If there’s no deal, Shaath says the settlement freeze must be extended.
The U.S. has been pressuring Israel to extend a 10-month slowdown on new housing starts in the West Bank, which expired last week. The Palestinians have threatened to quit peace talks, launched last month in Washington, if Israel resumes settlement construction.
