Israel is considering a compromise with the United States on the thorny issue of Jewish settlements.
以色列考虑在棘手的犹太人定居点议题上跟美国妥协。
Israel's Cabinet discussed the possibility of a partial freeze on construction in Jewish settlements at its weekly meeting. Israel has been seeking a compromise, following repeated demands by the United States to halt settlement expansion as required by the internationally backed "Roadmap" peace plan.
以色列内阁在每周例会中讨论了部分停止增建犹太人定居点的可能性。在美国不断要求停止扩建定居点之后，以色列一直在寻求一项妥协。停止扩建定居点也是国际支持的中东和平“路线图”计划的要求。
The issue will top the agenda when Defense Minister Ehud Barak visits the U.S. this week.
这个议题将会成为国防部长巴拉克这星期访问美国时的主要议程。
Barak said he will discuss a wide range of issues with American officials, including resuming peace talks with the Palestinians and a comprehensive peace with the Arab states. But the Palestinians are refusing to return to the negotiating table until Israel agrees to a settlement freeze.
巴拉克表示，他希望和美国官员讨论广泛的议题，其中包括和巴勒斯坦人重启和平会谈以及与阿拉伯国家的全面和平。然而巴勒斯坦人拒绝重回谈判桌，除非以色列同意停止兴建定居点。
Barak would neither confirm nor deny a report in Israel's biggest newspaper, Yediot Ahronot, that he would propose a three-month halt to construction starts in West Bank settlements, but allow building already underway to continue.
巴拉克没有确定也没有否认以色列最大报新消息报的报导，即他将建议要在约旦河西岸开始兴建的定居点暂停施工三个月，然而允许已经开始建造的房屋继续完工。
"The matter mentioned in the headlines has not been finalized," Barak said.
他说：“要闻标题提及的这件事还没有定案。”
Barak's dovish Labor party supports a partial settlement freeze, but hawks in the government do not. Cabinet Minister Gilad Erdan is from the ruling Likud Party.
巴拉克所属的鸽派工党支持停止兴建部分定居点的提议，然而政府内的鹰派并不赞成。以色列内阁部长埃尔丹来自执政的利库德集团。
Erdan said it is unimaginable that a right-wing Likud government would permit a construction freeze that violates the civil rights of the settlers.
埃尔丹表示，难以想象由右翼利库德集团执政的政府会批准停止兴建定居点，这违反了定居者的民权。
Under the U.S.-backed "Roadmap" peace plan, Israel is required to halt construction.
在美国支持的和平“路线图”计划中，以色列被要求停止兴建定居点。
Ideologically, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agrees with that. But pragmatically, he could seek a compromise because he is anxious to heal a deepening rift with Washington.
在理念上，总理内塔尼亚胡同意这么做。而实际上，他可能寻求妥协，因为他渴望修复和华盛顿日益加深的裂痕。 |