US, Israel discuss settlement deal

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US Middle East envoy George Mitchell has begun talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an effort to reach a settlement deal. But Washington and the Palestinians are facing resistance from Israel.

Mitchell has been trying to persuade Israel to halt settlement construction so that Arab nations would take initial steps toward recognizing Israel. But Netanyahu says his nation will not freeze all building in the West Bank.

Israel would merely limit the scope of construction to help restart peace talks. Mitchell was also scheduled to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas later on Tuesday.

Abbas has conditioned a resumption of talks for establishing a Palestinian state on a complete settlement building freeze.