Abbas says he’s asked US to intervene in dispute with Israel over settlement restrictions

Abbas asks US to step into settlement dispute

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he asked the U.S. to settle his dispute with Israel over settlement expansion.

Israel’s 10-month freeze on new construction in West Bank settlements ends Sept. 26.

Israeli officials have indicated they will not extend the freeze as is, but Abbas has said he’ll quit peace talks with Israel unless it is extended.

Abbas told reporters Monday he asked the U.S. to “intervene” in the issue.

The dispute is expected to take center stage in talks between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week.

Settlements take up land the Palestinians want for a state. The U.S. relaunched negotiations last week after nearly two years, promising to play an active role.