Israel and the US are making headway in defusing an unusually public disagreement over West Bank settlements, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Wednesday, just prior to his meeting with US Middle East envoy George Mitchell.
The prime minister added that he wants an agreement which allows Israel to proceed with some settlement construction while at the same time restarting peace talks with the Palestinians. In the past week, both Israel and the US have been signaling that an agreement could be within reach.
Speaking alongside Mitchell before the meeting, Netanyahu said he hoped peace negotiations would resume "shortly."
"We are making headway. My government has taken steps in both words and deeds to move forward," he said.
