In yet another show of Israeli diplomatic discipline and unity of message, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman was quoted by Israeli media as saying that there is no reason that Israel cannot return to construction projects in the territories acquired by Israel in the 1967 War after a voluntary 10-month freeze on construction expires towards the end of September. The comments came as top Israeli, Palestinian and American negotiators on the ground in Jerusalem discussed a possible extension of the freeze. The foreign minister, who lives in a Jewish community in the territories, added that he had little optimism that the peace process would succeed in the coming year. The Israeli daily Ha’aretz is reporting that Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor has put forward a proposal that Israel resume construction in large Jewish communities and areas along the separation barrier, which Israel believes are likely to formally become part of Israel after a peace deal is signed, while extending the construction freeze in isolated Jewish communities unlikely to remain under Israeli control. The Palestinians have threatened to abandon the talks if the Israeli building freeze is not extended.