Israel in talks with US over settlements: Netanyahu

JERUSALEM (AA) - Israel remains “in the midst of negotiations” with the U.S. over settlement building, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday.

"This afternoon I will meet again with U.S. President [Donald] Trump's envoy, Jason Greenblatt," Netanyahu said in a statement.

"We are in the midst of negotiations with the White House and hope to agree on a policy regarding [Israeli] settlement construction," he added.

Greenblatt arrived in the region earlier this week for a days-long visit, during which he met with Netanyahu, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Jordanian King Abdullah II.

Peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators collapsed in 2014 over Israel's refusal to release Palestinian prisoners despite earlier pledges to do so.

Since then, all attempts to revive negotiations have failed, due mainly to Israel's insistence on continuing settlement construction on occupied Arab land.