Media reports have implied that the construction announcement was meant to appease Netanyahu’s far right coalition partners, who oppose the release of prisoners but fervently promote settlement construction.
“I don’t know of such a deal, but look both were announced on the same day,” Indor said.
Palestinian officials slammed the settlement announcement as a move aimed at “preventing” peace talks.
“It is clear that the Israeli government is deliberately attempting to sabotage US and international efforts to resume negotiations by approving more settlement units three days before the… Palestinian Israeli meeting,” Palestinian negotiator Mohammed Shtayeh said.
Russia described the Israeli move as “a counterproductive step that complicates the atmosphere of the talks”.
But a spokesman for Netanyahu insisted that the new settlement units were “in areas that will remain part of Israel in any possible future peace agreement.”
“It changes nothing,” Mark Regev added.