New Israeli coalition will have to freeze construction outside settlement blocs, Netanyahu's aides s
Netanyahu updates President Shimon Peres on coalition process, blames holdup on unnamed parties' lack of will to join government with ultra-Orthodox.
By Barak Ravid | Mar.03, 2013 | 8:40
Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu received 14 more days to form a new government Saturday, but his efforts to form a coalition seemed likely to be complicated by the likelihood of a new settlement construction freeze to improve Israel's international standing.
Netanyahu updated President Shimon Peres Saturday on his progress in negotiations to form a government, blaming unnamed parties' refusal to sit in the government with ultra-Orthodox parties as the root of his troubles, and was granted the extension.
Meanwhile, senior Netanyahu advisers stated that a new government coalition will have no choice but to imminently freeze construction in the Jewish communities outside the large settlement blocs in the West Bank.
Netanyahu and his advisers also believe that international pressure will force Israel to undertake steps toward renewing talks with the Palestinians that will help rehabilitate Israel's reputation with its friends in the West, even if they do not lead to renewed negotiations with the Palestinians.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/new-israeli-coalition-will-have-to-freeze-construction-outside-settlement-blocs-netanyahu-s-aides-say.premium-1.506771
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you nearly owed me a new keyboard for that one 
