Yitzhak Molcho, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's envoy to negotiations with the Obama administration, is leaving Sunday for settlement freeze negotiations with U.S. officials, Haaretz reported. The envoy will meet with White House officials and U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell’s staff. The talks are meant to as a preparation for the upcoming August 26 talks between Netanyahu and Mitchell in London.
According to the report, Molcho's trip will focus on bridging the gaps in the Israeli and U.S. views on future settlement construction. Israel has previously stated it is willing to agree to a six-month settlement freeze, while the Americans seek a halt for at least one year.