Netanyahu inclined to take US offer but restart freeze but most ministers and public oppose

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has been trying to persuade Likud cabinet members to support a deal with the US in which Israel would limit construction in Judea and Samaria for 60 days in return for American promises, Likud officials confirmed to the Jerusalem Post on Sunday.

The benefits reportedly include upgrading the IDF, letting the army remain in the Jordan Valley following an Israeli withdrawal from Judea and Samaria, and a promise not to ask Israel for a further moratorium.

But reports about ministers considering voting in favor of the deal forced the supposedly wavering ministers to issue flat denials on Sunday. JPost notes that Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz expressed opposition to restarting the construction freeze in a 7 a.m. radio interview and Education Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz and Communications Minister Moshe Kahlon followed suit.

With this firm opposition, Netanyahu would have little to no chance of passing a proposal that would limit construction in the cabinet, security cabinet or his inner "septet." No votes have been scheduled ahead of this weekend’s key Arab League summit in any forum of ministers.

A solid majority of Israelis, 54% to 39%, support continuing West Bank construction, a Dahaf Institute poll broadcast on Channel 2 Sunday night found.