The Obama management has deserted its effort to influence Israel to renew a settlement construction freeze, which U.S. diplomats had hoped would refresh moribund calm talks with the Palestinians.
With senior Israeli and Palestinian negotiators listed to hold talks in Washington next week, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton due to deliver a major Middle East speech Friday, it was indistinct what way the administration's strategy will now take.
U.S. officials who brief reporters here and in Jerusalem on the condition of secrecy said Tuesday that the administration had taken off the table a pack up of political and security incentive offered to Israel in exchange for a 90-day freeze on West Bank decision structure.
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