US peace envoy welcomes Israeli announcement of moratorium in West Bank settlement building

US envoy welcomes Israeli settlement moratorium

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration’s special Mideast envoy is welcoming an Israeli announcement of a 10-month freeze for new construction in Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

George Mitchell, who has led administration efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, said the announced moratorium falls short of a full settlement freeze.

But he praised the move as a positive development and a significant step that could move Israel and the Palestinians toward a resumption of peace talks. He also noted that the U.S. government does not recognize the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements.