Senior state officials said Monday that contacts with Washington regarding the paper of understandings Israel will receive in exchange for renewing the settlement construction freeze continue but that agreement has yet to be reached on several issues.
Israel's chief negotiator Attorney Yitzhak Molcho expressed optimism Monday regarding the possibility that agreements will be reached among the parties. In closed talks he said that Israel is waiting for a US response on a number of controversial issues.
Molcho met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu andShas Chairman and Interior Minister Eli Yishai on Sunday. Yishai appeared less optimistic when addressing the disagreements.
"Currently we are trying to reach final understandings, but there may be a delay over a few clauses," a senior state official said. He had difficulty estimating whether the disagreements could substantially prolong the process.
The Prime Minister's Office said: "Contacts with the US continue based on both parties' desire to reach written understandings which can be presented to the cabinet."
Last week disagreements were reported betweenIsrael and the US, mainly concerning the security package Jerusalem is demanding – namely the F-35 fighter jets. The parties could not agree on the time and manner in which the planes would be supplied to Israel and whether Israel will be required to pay for them.