Israel claims secret deal on settlements

JERUSALEM - The Israeli Government of Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to deflect Washington's demand for a total settlement freeze by complaining that it ignores secret agreements between his predecessors and the Bush Administration that construction in existing Jewish settlements could continue.

The rift between with the United States appeared to deepen yesterday, with a declaration by President Barack Obama that a freeze - including on "natural growth" of West Bank settlements - was among Israeli "obligations".

But Israel, which will not accept a total freeze, is pushing to restore at least part of the private "understandings" struck with the previous US Administration.

The Israeli Government is arguing that Ariel Sharon agreed in 2003 to the internationally endorsed Road Map and the withdrawal of 8000 settlers from Gaza in 2005, on condition that Israel could proceed with expansion within the physical boundaries of existing West Bank settlements.

A senior Israeli official said: "It is hard for the US to say we have to keep to our commitments but ignore the understandings."

- INDEPENDENT