Survey: Half of Israeli Cabinet Against Settlement Freeze

Half of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government is against the settlement freeze which is considered the most important aspect of US-led Middle East peace initiative, a survey revealed on Monday.

The results show that Netanyahu is likely to face stiff opposition from his cabinet in extending the settlement freeze.

According to the survey conducted by the leading Yediot Aharonot newspaper, 15 out of the 30 cabinet ministers are against any extension of the temporary freeze.

Other eight ministers said that they would support any such move, while the remaining seven were undecided, which indicates that even if Netanyahu is able to convince the undecided ones, he will still require the support of one of his opponents.

The poll also indicated that eight out of the 15 security cabinet members opposed any measure to freeze construction, with four in support and three unsure.

Among ministers of the Forum of Seven, consisting of those closest to the prime minister, only three were in support and four against.

Ehud Barak, the defense minister who played a vital part in mediating the dispute with the US, is said to be in favor of the move to freeze West Bank construction, whereas Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is against.

Negotiations with the Palestinians, which resumed last month, are on the verge of collapse because of Israel’s refusal to continue a ban on constructing new settlements in the West Bank, which is due to expire on 26th September.

As the Palestinians are threatening to pullout of the negotiations, Israel is under immense pressure to extend the ban, with the US reportedly urging for a two month extension in exchange for generous incentives.