US will not pressure Israel to extend freeze after 90 days

National Security Adviser Uzi Arad says US committed, in writing, to not asking for additional building moratorium.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS, JPOST.COM STAFF
The US has given written assurance to Israel that it won't be pressured to impose any additional settlement freezes after it accepts a limited 90 day construction moratorium aimed at reviving peace talks, a top Israeli official said Saturday.
"A commitment not to ask an additional freeze after 90 days was written by the Americans," National Security Advisor Uzi Arad said Saturday afternoon to Channel 2.
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Arad also told the channel that the F-35 stealth fighter jets are not a gift and that Israel will be buying them. "Payment agreements need to be worked out," he said.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu returned from meetings with US officials last week with an American incentive package designed to revive the stalled Israel-Palestinian peace talks.
The Palestinians left the negotiating table soon after talks commenced, after the settlement construction moratorium expired on September 26.
The US proposal would mean Israel would cease settlement building for 90 days in return for US pledges to veto anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations and a fleet of next-generation stealth fighter planes.
The proposal does not include a freeze on building in east Jerusalem.
Netanyahu has asked for the assurances in writing in part to appease some members of his cabinet who oppose the deal.
Israel and the Palestinians are supposed to try to and work out a deal on their future borders during the 90-day freeze period. Once borders are settled on, Israel could then resume building on any territories it expects to keep under a future peace deal.
Palestinian officials were not immediately available for comment.