Israeli Cabinet minister says Palestinians need to compromise on settlement building slowdown

Israeli minister: Palestinians needs to compromise

JERUSALEM — A senior Israeli Cabinet minister says the Palestinians need to compromise over their demand that Israel extend a slowdown of West Bank settlement construction.

Israel’s 10-month slowdown expires in a week and Palestinians say they will walk out of newly restarted peace talks if settlement activity resumes on land they want for a future state. The U.S. has urged Israel to extend the slowdown.

Dan Meridor says the issue marks “the first test for the spirit of compromise” and would indicate whether the Palestinians would be open to further compromises in the talks.

Israeli-Palestinian peace talks resumed earlier this month in Washington after a two-year hiatus.