A new opinion poll today showed most Israelis are ready to halt the building of Jewish settlements in return for a ceasefire with the Palestinians.
Israeli policy, repeated today, rejects a building freeze proposed by a new US-led inquiry. US Secretary of State Gen Colin Powell endorsed that report yesterday.
Speaking in Washington Gen Powell did not specifically address the settlement issue but welcomed what he called a very fine report.
He said it might serve as a launch pad for a new peace initiative after more than seven months of violence.
His comments appeared to reinforce the impression the US intends to press Israel to change its position on settlements - widely seen as the biggest obstacle to convincing Palestinians Israel wants peace.
The new Gallup Poll - surveying 850 Israelis for the daily newspaper Ma'ariv- showed 55 per cent supported a freeze for a ceasefire while 39 per cent opposed the proposal and 6 per cent had no opinion. The survey had a 4per cent margin of error.
Palestinians condemn the settlements on land Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war as a provocation. Israeli Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon's government opposes any new settlements but allows for what it calls natural growth .
Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza Strip have seized on settlements as a key issue of their uprising against Israeli occupation. Some 200,000 Jews live in 145 settlements scattered among three million Palestinians.