Netanyahu, US envoy try to resolve settlement spat

[July 28, 2009]  JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Mideast peace envoy George Mitchell are trying to resolve a public dispute over Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Washington wants Israel to freeze settlement construction, but Netanyahu says Israel must continue some building to allow for the "natural growth" of the settler population.

The two met early Tuesday in Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem to iron out the differences between the two allies.

Mitchell said Monday that Israel must start "dealing" with its West Bank settlements as a step toward bringing a comprehensive peace to the Middle East.

Mitchell has been pushing Arab and Israeli officials to take steps to bring peace between the Arab world and the Jewish state.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.