West Bank

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a top aide suggested that a compromise with the Palestinians on a settlement freeze is not in the offing.

Netanyahu, along with top adviser Ron Dermer and Israel's U.S. ambassador, Michael Oren, spoke Monday afternoon on a conference call with members of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

JTA reviewed the call with a number of participants.

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Don't expect a familiar American echo now that West Bank settlers are gearing up to fight the possible extension of Israel’s settlement freeze.

Activists on the left and right in Israel usually get their allies in the American Jewish community to fight for the cause of the day with congressional lobbying and protests to Israeli and American officials.

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled he would heed, in part, an appeal from President Obama to continue the settlement freeze.

"Between zero and one there are a lot of possibilities," Haaretz quoted Netanyahu as telling his Cabinet ministers on Sunday. Other media quoted similar remarks from the prime minister, suggesting that he is considering quashing some -- if not all -- of the thousands of building permits set to kick in when the partial moratorium he imposed last fall expires on Sept. 26.

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- More than 150 American television and film artists have signed a letter in support of an Israeli artists' boycott of performing in the West Bank.

The letter, signed by American actors, writers and directors, was drafted and organized by the Jewish Voice for Peace organization.

Praising the "brave decision" by Israeli theater professionals not to perform in Ariel, the letter says "we salute our Israeli counterparts for their courageous decision."

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- More than 150 American television and film artists have signed a letter in support of an Israeli artists' boycott of performing in the West Bank.

The letter, signed by American actors, writers and directors, was drafted and organized by the Jewish Voice for Peace organization.

Praising the "brave decision" by Israeli theater professionals not to perform in Ariel, the letter says "we salute our Israeli counterparts for their courageous decision."

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- The United States temporarily banned its diplomats from traveling to the West Bank and Jerusalem's Old City because of shooting attacks.

"Due to heightened tensions and increased security presence after the Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 attacks in the West Bank, the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem has prohibited all Consulate personnel from personal travel to the West Bank" through Monday, said a statement from the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem, which handles the West Bank.

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Four Jewish Israelis were killed when gunmen opened fire on the car they were riding in at the entrance to Kiryat Arba, near Hebron.

Tuesday night's attack in the West Bank comes on the eve of the opening of peace talks in Washington between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

 Beit El, West Bank — Two months ago this settlement was the site of a violent clash, when residents sought to block Israeli security forces from enforcing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s settlement freeze by demolishing the foundations of a building.