Barak: Israel considering options to promote peace including temporary settlement freeze

NEW YORK — Israel is considering what it can do to enable a full-fledged Mideast peace process and Palestinian-Israeli negotiations to take off, including instituting a temporary freeze on settlements, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Tuesday.

Obama administration, Israel still butting heads over Jewish settlements

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration and Israel gave no ground Wednesday in their opposing views over Jewish settlements in Palestinian territory despite speculation the two sides might be nearing compromise.