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Israel delays settlement bids during Kerry visit

For the duration of the US secretary of state’s latest visit, the Israeli government will avoid announcing new bids for settlement construction.
A general view of the West Bank Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim is seen near Jerusalem January 3, 2014. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a gloomy assessment of peace prospects with the Palestinians on Thursday as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry began his 10th visit to the region in pursuit of a deal. Leaders from both sides have to address core issues of the decades-old conflict, such as the question of borders, security, refugees and the status of Jerusalem. REUTERS/Ammar Awad (WEST B

Israel, according to an anonymous Israeli official interviewed by The New York Times, will delay “an expected announcement of bids for new settlement construction for the next few days while [US] Secretary of State John Kerry is in the region” to avoid "a potential high profile clash over the contentious issue.”

So, from now until Jan. 5, Palestinians can be assured that no bidding for houses in East Jerusalem will take place, due to an apparent understanding between Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his Housing Ministry for the duration of Kerry’s visit. The question is, to what extent does the Israeli government underestimate people’s intelligence? Do they really think that this is in deference to Kerry’s visit? Do the Israeli official and his government believe that any serious discussions, let alone negotiations, can take place with such a mindset?

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