Hints at settlement compromise

ISRAEL’S defence minister says a slowdown in West Bank settlement construction is unlikely to continue in its current form after it expires at the end of this month.

But Ehud Barak says he does not believe Israel will entirely cancel the 10-month curbs. Barak appeared to be leaving room for a compromise that might allow the Palestinians to continue the negotiations.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he warned Netanyahu last week he will leave the talks if Israel doesn’t extend the slowdown.