JERUSALEM — Israel’s premier agreed on Tuesday not to invite tenders for West Bank settlement building in the coming months so as to advance the peace process, but critics said this fell far short of US demands for a settlement freeze.

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah party is meeting for a second day in Bethlehem, in a conference seen by many as an opportunity to reform the party.

Palestinian authority calls on the international community to stop Israel from defying the international ruling on the separation barriers, ‘Judaisation’ of Jerusalem and the expansion of settlements.

JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israel will not impose a complete halt on settlement construction on occupied Palestinian land as demanded by the United States, a senior official said.

The Free Gaza Movement will depart from Larnaca Port for the Gaza Strip at 10am today, Thursday 25 June.

Hardline Lieberman insists Israel wants direct, unconditional talks with Syria, without mediation.