An Ultra-orthodox Jewish family look at a construction site in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo, Monday, April 26, 2010. Chris Ivory Jersey . [Agencies]   JERUSALEM - Israels prime minister has effectively frozen new Jewish construction in east Jerusalem, municipal officials said Monday, reflecting the need to mend a serious rift with the US and get Mideast peace talks back on track. Related readings:  No deal between US, Israel on settlement: official  Israel rejects US calls for east Jerusalem freeze  Netanyahu: Israel must rely only on itself  Palestine warns Israel about making peace The move comes despite Benjamin Netanyahus repeated assertion he would never halt construction in east Jerusalem and risks angering hard-liners in his government. One lawmaker from Netanyahus Likud Party warned the governing coalition could collapse over the issue. Still, the de facto freeze appeared to offer the promise of reviving peace efforts derailed after Israel announced plans for a major Jewish housing development during a visit by Vice President Joe Biden last month. That set off the worst diplomatic dispute between the US and Israel in decades _ and prompted the Palestinians to call off a new round of US-brokered peace talks. The quiet halting of east Jerusalem housing approvals coincides with signs that those talks are now about to start _ and could help explain recent US statements stressing Americas close ties to Israel. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signaled Monday he was ready to start indirect talks with Israel after weeks of hesitation. Washington has stepped up efforts in recent days to coax Abbas to agree to the talks, with President Barack Obamas envoy as go-between. Speaking to Israels Channel 2 TV, Abbas said he would present the US proposal to the Arab League this week and the Palestinians hope that the reply will be positive. Obama, meanwhile, offered assurances of Washingtons unshakable commitment to Israels security and determination to achieve a comprehensive Middle East peace. He made the remarks during an impromptu meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak at the White House, Obama spokesman Robert Gibb said. Word of a de facto freeze on east Jerusalem construction came from municipal officials and a construction executive, who told The Associated Press that the committee that approves such projects had not met since March 9 _ the day Israel announced its contentious plan to build 1,600 new housing units in east Jerusalem. It was not clear if the halt to approvals constituted a genuine moratorium or how long it would last, and Israeli government officials would not confirm any kind of freeze. However, two city councilmen and an engineer who oversees a major east Jerusalem construction project confirmed the procedures for approving new housing have been put on hold since the Biden incident. The government ordered the Interior Ministry immediately after the Biden incident to not even talk about new construction for Jewish homes in east Jerusalem, said Meir Margalit, a city councilman who said the information came from top Jerusalem officials intimately involved with construction projects. Its not just that building has stopped: The committees that deal with this are not even meeting anymore, said Margalit, of the dovish Meretz Party.    Previous Page 1 2 Next Page      Previous Page 1 2 Next Page   Cardinals Pujols Jersey . Spains Rafael Nadal hits a return to Italys Flavio Cipolla during their match in the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, May 31, 2007. 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Related readings: Spain strike ends on downbeat note in Madrid Honda employees go on another strike Strike hits a Japanese electronics plant in N China Greek bank workers strike over deaths After having been picketing at five container terminals for nearly two weeks, the office workers have returned to their jobs after a labor arbitrator twice ruled their walkout illegitimate and disingenuous.New York, NY (Sports Network) - Philadelphia outfielder Pat Burrell and pitcher Jamie Moyer, as well as Dodgers pitcher Brad Penny all filed for free agency on Thursday. Burrell, 32, played in 157 games for the World Series-winning Phillies last season and hit .250 with 33 home runs, 86 runs batted in and a team-high 102 walks. Moyer, who will turn 46 on November 18, made 33 starts for Philadelphia during the regular season and wennt 16-7 with a 3. Replica Chad Ochocinco Jersey. 71 earned run average. In 196 1/3 innings he struck out 123 and walked 62. Penny, 30, regressed last season in an injury-plagued 2008. He started only 17 games, playing in 19 total, and compiled a 6-9 record with a career-worst 6.27 ERA. In 2007, Penny went 16-4 in 33 starts with a career-best 3.03 ERA. The right- hander had a $9.25 million contract option declined by LA on Wednesday. ' ' '