Benjamin Netanyahu

While US Mideast envoy George Mitchell noted that the "unilateral decision" announced by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu "falls short" of American demands as well, he added, "We believe the steps announced by the prime minister are significant and could have substantial impact on the ground," particularly in the goal of moving toward negotiations. Mitchell, in a press briefing following Netanyahu's remarks, stressed that the US remained committed to the immediate resumption of negotiations on final-status issues, and suggested that it might be possible to work out the question of borders on the way to an agreement on other issues. "My personal and fervent wish is that we will, during this process, at some point, have a resolution of the issue of borders, so that there will no longer be an question about settlement construction, so that Israelis will be able to build what they want in Israel and Palestinians will be able to build what they want in Palestine,"

Read more: US welcomes settlement moratorium | In this article: George Mitchell, US, Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel, Hillary Clinton, Bashar Assad, Barack Obama, Palestine, West Bank, and Jerusalem

He added: "Israel's government has made an important step toward peace today," Netanyahu said. "Let us make peace together."

Read more: Israel proposes 10-month West Bank settlement halt (AP) | In this article: Israel, Jerusalem, West Bank, Mahmoud Abbas, and Mideast

"If Netanyahu does not do so, I will personally convene an urgent meeting of the Likud Central Committee to correct this betrayal of commitments we made to our voters," said Dannon. "We were elected to advance a certain platform, we promised that we would build in Judea and Samaria,"

Read more: Settler leaders, Likud MKs blast PM | In this article: Binyamin Netanyahu, Ehud Barak, West Bank, Likud, Eli Yishai, Yitzhak Rabin, and Jerusalem

"Judea and Samaria are supposed to be on the same level as Jerusalem." It was a strategic mistake to differentiate between east Jerusalem and settlements in Judea and Samaria, as if one was legitimate and the other was not, she added. "Netanyahu has betrayed the very principles for which he stood for all his life," said Danny Dayan, who heads the Council of Jewish Communities of Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip.

Read more: Settler leaders, Likud MKs blast PM | In this article: Binyamin Netanyahu, Ehud Barak, West Bank, Likud, Eli Yishai, Yitzhak Rabin, and Jerusalem

"Unfortunately, we hoped he would commit to a real settlement freeze so we can resume negotiations and he had a choice between settlements and peace and he chose settlements." Senior Palestinian MP Mustafa Barghouti went further. "What Netanyahu announced today is one of his biggest attempts at deception in his history," he said.

Read more: Palestinians shun settlement plan | In this article: West Bank, Israel, US, Barack Obama, East Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Hillary Clinton, and George Mitchell

Netanyahu said the "far-reaching and painful step" was designed to "encourage resumption of peace talks with our Palestinian neighbors." He added: "Israel's government has made an important step toward peace today,"

Read more: Israel proposes 10-month West Bank settlement halt | In this article: Israel, Jerusalem, West Bank, Mahmoud Abbas, Mideast, Washington, and E mail

"Let us make peace together." The freeze applies only to new housing, meaning about 3,000 units under construction can be finished. "We will not halt existing construction, and we will continue to build synagogues, schools, kindergartens and public buildings essential for normal life" in the settlements, Netanyahu said in a statement broadcast live from his office.

Read more: Israel proposes 10-month West Bank settlement halt | In this article: Israel, Jerusalem, West Bank, Mahmoud Abbas, Mideast, Washington, and E mail

"Now is the time to begin negotiations," Netanyahu said, in a prepared text he read to reporters following the nearly four-hour security cabinet discussion.

Read more: 'Let us make peace,' says PM in announcing settlement freeze | In this article: Binyamin Netanyahu, Jerusalem, Israel, Likud, Israel Beiteinu, West Bank, Mahmoud Abbas, and Agence France Press

"Regarding Jerusalem, our sovereign capital, our position is well known," Netanyahu said. "We don't put any restrictions on building in our sovereign capital."

Read more: 'Let us make peace,' says PM in announcing settlement freeze | In this article: Binyamin Netanyahu, Jerusalem, Israel, Likud, Israel Beiteinu, West Bank, Mahmoud Abbas, and Agence France Press

"We don't put any restrictions on building in our sovereign capital." As to the exit strategy from the moratorium, an issue that was a key focus of talks with US envoy George Mitchell earlier in the summer, Netanyahu said, "When the suspension ends, my government will revert to the polices of previous governments in relation to construction." Underlining his sense that this move now squarely places the ball in the Palestinian's court and takes the onus for the impasse in the negotiations off of Israel, Netanyahu said, "We have been told by many of our friends that once Israel takes the first meaningful step toward peace, the Palestinians and the Arab world would respond in a positive cycle, that would be a cycle of good will. "Well, the government of Israel took a very big step toward peace today, and I hope the Palestinians and the Arab world will seize this opportunity to forge a new beginning and future, for our children and theirs."

Read more: 'Let us make peace,' says PM in announcing settlement freeze | In this article: Binyamin Netanyahu, Jerusalem, Israel, Likud, Israel Beiteinu, West Bank, Mahmoud Abbas, and Agence France Press