Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday is scheduled to meet in London with US Mideast envoy George Mitchell, a meeting that is unlikely to result in any major agreement on key issues between the White House and Jerusalem.

According to the daily Yediot Achronot, quoting a senior government official, efforts by Netanyahu’s emissary attorney Yitzchak Molcho and senior advisor to Defense Minister Ehud Barak Brig.-General Mike Herzog to lay the groundwork for agreement in the upcoming meeting were unsuccessful, and according to Yediot, they may be agreement not to agree. It appears the United State’s position remains firm, an unyielding demand to halt construction throughout Yehuda and Shomron.

On the other hand, the two emissaries briefed the mini-cabinet of six ministers on Thursday, signaling there may be a US willingness to permit the completion of 2,500 housing units already started and a push to bring the PA to the negotiating table.

Netanyahu is expected to present his position, a genuine willingness to jumpstart stalled diplomatic talks with the PA, talks that broke down some time ago. The prime minister will also detail efforts made by his administration to renew a diplomatic process with the PA.

The prime minister will be leaving for Europe on Monday, where he will also meet with Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Mr. Netanyahu will be accompanied by Minister Yossi Peled. From London, he will travel to Germany for a meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss a number of issues of mutual interest, including Germany’s ongoing efforts towards negotiating the release of Gilad Shalit.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)