Speaking on ABC News Tuesday night, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said a Jewish building freeze in Judea and Samaria has never been a precondition for talks with the PA.
“For 16 years, Israelis and Palestinians have been negotiating. There has been robust construction of communities and settlements throughout. Nobody placed this precondition. And I think placing it right now is to make sure that the peace process does not go forward.”
In spite of the declaration, government officials admit that new building has been virtually frozen in Judea and Samaria since the Netanyahu government has come to power and only 500 new building permits have been issued in the past six months.