U.S. envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, who met Tuesday with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, reiterated to the Israeli officials that the U.S. expects a complete freeze on construction in Judea and Samaria. Netanyahu’s administration has so far refused to comply with the American demand, saying “natural growth” will be allowed.

Mitchell meets Wednesday with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. Abbas has said he will not return to the negotiating table unless Israel agrees to freeze construction in Judea and Samaria and recognize the goal of a PA state. The Prime Minister has so far refused to do either.