Israeli settlers to resume construction in the West Bank to protest Palestinian attack

Israeli settlers to resume West Bank construction

JERUSALEM — West Bank settlers say they will break a government freeze on construction in their communities to protest a Palestinian shooting attack that killed four Israelis on the eve of new peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians in Washington.

The Yesha Council, which represents the settlers, said Wednesday that construction will resume in the evening.

The Israelis were killed Tuesday evening when they drove through the West Bank as a new round of Mideast talks opened in Washington.

Israel imposed a 10-month freeze on construction in West Bank settlements in an effort to get negotiations with the Palestinians back on track.

The moratorium expires on Sept. 26 and the Palestinians say they will withdraw from talks unless it is extended.

Palestinians want the West Bank along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem as part of their future state.