Israel PM denies offer made to freeze settlements

[Violet_Crumble]

JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he never told the US administration a settlement freeze would be renewed after Middle East peace talks restart this week, an official said on Monday.

"We have not presented any proposal to the Americans on an extension of the freeze ... the government has not taken any decision on the issue," the official quoted the premier as saying at a meeting of his Likud party.

Under US pressure, the Israeli government in November imposed a partial, 10 month moratorium on new construction in West Bank settlements, with the exception of east Jerusalem.

Palestinians insist the measure must be extended beyond its term on September 26, while the government faces strong pressure from the right to allow construction to resume.

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