JERUSALEM: Half of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rightwing government opposes the extension of a settlement moratorium seen as key to US-led peace efforts, a poll showed on Monday.
The findings indicate Netanyahu would face an uphill battle in convincing his coalition to back a reported deal under which Israel would extend the curbs in exchange for US security and other guarantees.
According to the poll in the top-selling Yediot Aharonot newspaper, 15 of the 30 ministers which make up the cabinet are opposed to any extension of the partial freeze.
Another eight cabinet members said they would back such a move, with the remaining seven undecided, meaning that even if Netanyahu managed to sway those sitting on the fence he would still need to turn one of his 15 opponents.
The survey also showed that eight of the 15 members of the powerful security cabinet members were against any move to halt West Bank construction, with four in favour and three undecided.
And among members of the Forum of Seven, comprising those ministers closest to Netanyahu, four were against and only three in favour.
Defence Minister Ehud Barak, who has played a key role in mediating the dispute with Washington, is said to back the move, while the tough-talking Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is opposed.
Peace talks with the Palestinians, which began a month ago, are facing imminent collapse over Israel’s refusal to renew a ban on building new settler homes in the occupied West Bank, which expired on September 26.
With the Palestinians threatening to quit the talks, Israel is under huge pressure to renew the measure, with Washington reportedly pushing for a 60-day extension in exchange for a generous package of incentives.
Netanyahu’s coalition government is made up largely of far-right and religious parties who strongly back ongoing Jewish settlement of the occupied West Bank.
