Israel's settlement moratorium ends, but Palestinians stay at the table (+analysis); China and US in game of chicken; Kim Jong-Il expected to name heir at massive meeting; Chavez's opponents make gains in Venezuelan elections; and more

Top of the Agenda: Israel's Construction Moratorium Ends

Israel's ten-month moratorium on new housing construction in the West Bank expired Sunday, adding tension to Middle East peace talks (WashPost). US diplomats worked to keep the peace process going, as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he would not immediately carry out a threat to quit negotiations. Settlers in the West Bank resumed construction of a new daycare center, vowing to resume settlement work throughout the territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the settlers to show "restraint and responsibility" after the freeze expiration to smooth over the diplomatic impact of resuming building. Settler leaders said there would not be a surge of large-scale construction but a gradual resumption of building.

US officials said they were working with both Israelis and Palestinians to find a compromise that would allow for continued talks. Abbas said he would seek counsel on the issue (NYT) from the Fatah movement, the Palestine Liberation Organization, and the Arab league. Fatah members have pressured him not to agree to talks without a halt to Israeli settlement construction. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said there is a "50-50" chance of reaching a deal (BBC) on the freeze.

Analysis:

A Daily Star editorial says the only palatable trade-off if settlement construction resumes "is for both states to agree to a small amount of settlements, contiguous to what is likely to become Israeli land in a future territory agreement."

In the Jerusalem Post, Ehud Olmert says the issue of the settlement freeze is "marginal." The United States, and now the Palestinian leadership, "have been preoccupied with an issue whose success or failure will not really influence the diplomatic process in our region."

CFR's Charles Kupchan argues that the Palestinians will achieve statehood by taking what they can get--not what they want--from Israel.

Background:

This Crisis Guide examines the roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

 

PACIFIC RIM: China Imposes US Chicken Tariffs

China's government said it will impose import duties on US chicken products (Xinhua) it says are being unfairly dumped on the Chinese market.

With US economic recovery still slow, trade policy looms as a factor in the congressional midterm races. This Backgrounder explores the consequences for trade based on the outcome of the Democratic-Republican electoral struggle.

North Korea: North Korea convenes its biggest political gathering in thirty years (KoreaTimes), as international onlookers anticipate whether Kim Jong-Il will designate his youngest son, Jong-Un, as the country's next leader.

 

ELSEWHERE:

- US Seeks Ties with Somali Regions
- Election Loosens Chavez Power

 

This is an excerpt of the CFR.org Daily News Brief. The full version is available on CFR.org