US-Israeli talks on settlement construction suspended

Talks between the United States and Israel over the construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem were suspended on Sunday after both governments failed to reach an agreement.

The Voice of Israel radio said the negotiations, which started in February under the auspices of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump's special envoy Jason Greenblatt, have not been fruitful, Efe news reported.

After years of not being able to agree on a colony policy with former President Barack Obama, Israel wanted to reach an agreement with Trump, in which Washington would allow Jewish settlement construction in the Palestinian territory.

Netanyahu announced on Thursday to his ministers that Israel would self-impose restrictions on settlement building that is subject to constant condemnation by Palestinians and the international community, considering it completely illegal, Efe news reported.

According to the radio station, Netanyahu told his ministers that Israel would curb West Bank settlement construction as a gesture of goodwill to Trump and his administration.

--IANS

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