Sharon Agrees to Settlement Freeze

(June 6, 2001)

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon worked out a settlement freeze formula with U.S. officials to comply with the recommendation of the Mitchell Report. According to the terms of the understanding:

• No new settlement will be constructed in accordance with the basic guidelines of the government.

• No additional land will be expropriated for the purpose of construction.

• Settlement construction beyond existing built-up areas will be frozen.

These provisions are contingent upon implementation of all other terms of the Mitchell Report, which means the end of all Palestinian violence. Sharon also reiterated that the overall issue of settlements must be resolved in final status negotiations as per existing agreements.