US special Mideast envoy George Mitchell arrived in Israel on Thursday and his is meeting on Friday with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and President Shimon Peres. The visit was Mitchell’s idea, and officials in the Prime Minister’s Office stated that do not know the exact purpose for the visit, while most believe it is to increase the pressure on Israel to accept White House demands for a building freeze to advance talks between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority).

In a Channel 2 interview, the prime minister on Thursday declined to detail issues of disagreement between Jerusalem and Washington, but emphasized once again that he will not accept a building freeze in Yerushalayim.

Mitchell is also expected to meet in Ramallah with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) on Saturday.

In her recent comments on the situation, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton added the current status quo is not sustainable.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)