Israel mulls White House demands

26/03/10 12:51 CET

world news

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Security is tight the morning after the Israeli Prime Minister’s return from a tense visit to Washington.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesman said there had been no agreement with the White House on expanding settlements in the Holy City.

The issue was among a list of demands the Americans reportedly gave Israel’s leader, aimed at kickstarting peace talks with the Palestinians, stalled two years ago.

Netanyahu will meet his inner circle of seven senior Ministers to draw up a response. But it seems highly unlikely that they’ll even come close to the demands.

Tensions between the US and Israel heightened during a recent visit to the Middle East by Vice- President Joe Biden.

At the same time, the Israeli government announced a plan to build 1600 new housing units in east Jerusalem.

The Palestinians see the area as the capital of their promised state. And they refuse to discuss peace until settlement construction in the occupied territories stops.

More about: Benjamin Netanyahu, Jerusalem, Mideast

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