Clinton: Political capital needed to extend freeze
Arab League says peace talks pointless unless Israel extends building freeze in settlements. US secretary of state says such a move would be 'extremely helpful', but recognizes it constitutes costly political venture for Netanyahu
WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Thursday it would be "extremely helpful" for Israel to extend its moratorium on West Bank settlement building, but that she recognized it would be a politically costly move for the prime minister.
Meanwhile the Arab League announced it supports the Palestinians' refusal to continue direct peace talks if Israel resumes building settlements.
"If settlement construction does not stop, then there is no use for continuing negotiations," Amr Moussa told a press conference, saying this was the opinion of the Arabs and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. "Negotiating with occupation is simply a waste of time."
In an interview with Channel 10, Clinton said a limited extension on the building freeze would be acceptable. "I don't think a limited extension would undermine the process going forward if there were a decision agreed to by both parties," she said.
Clinton also told ABC News that she recognized the "political capital" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be expected to expend in order to extend the freeze.
In an interview held in Jerusalem, which is scheduled to be aired on Sunday, she added that the US was making a great effort to create an atmosphere "conducive to constructive talks" and that she hoped Israel would extend the moratorium.
Reuters contributed to this report
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