国际英语新闻：Israeli settlers renew West Bank construction, maybe discreetly

Palestinian expectations and responses to Sunday's events were mixed, in contrast to earlier across-the-board hard-line statements.

Only Netanyahu can "neutralize the explosive situation," Israel radio quoted chief Palestinian National Authority (PNA) negotiator Nabil Shaath as saying on Sunday, referring to the construction renewal.

However, Hebron Mayor Khalid Ossaily on Sunday told Israeli Army radio that Palestinians would not be likely to walk out on direct talks with Israeli counterparts, as a result of a resumption of Jewish construction in West Bank settlements.

Ossaily, who is considered a close confidante of PNA President Mahmoud Abbas, said in an interview that Palestinians were willing to overlook small-scale construction at the conclusion of Israel's self-imposed 10-month construction moratorium.

While Abbas told the UN General Assembly on Saturday that " Israel must choose between peace and the continuation of settlements," he did not threaten to walk away from talks if Israel resumes building, a move that would seem to back up Ossaily 's stance.

Shaath and Abbas arrived in Paris on Sunday to meet with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister Francois Fillon, as well as with Jewish leaders in what the Ynet news called an effort by the French leaders to keep Abbas at the negotiating table with Israel.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, before returning to Israel from intensive talks with American officials in New York, said in a media interview on Sunday that he estimated chances of a settlement deal with the Palestinians stood at "50-50."

Washington, the main mediator for the direct talks, in the meanwhile urged the two sides to keep at it despite the end of the settlement construction freeze.

"We are going to urge and urge, and push throughout this day to get some kind of resolution" of the settlement issue, David Axelrod, U.S. President Barack Obama's senior policy adviser, told ABC news.

"These talks themselves are absolutely crucial, we're at a critical juncture in that region," Axelrod added.

Netanyahu on Sunday also urged his ministers to keep media commentary on the topic to a minimum, keeping the behind-the- scenes haggling among Israeli party factions, and with the Palestinians out of the public eye.

Settler leaders, however, were adamant that, come what may, construction would continue.

"We understand the pressure Netanyahu is under, but this entire freeze has failed to achieve anything. There is no reason to stop building during negotiations with the Palestinians," Goldstein said, according to the Ynet news site.