1.   With fears of an escalation mounting, Sharon angrily rejected demands for a building freeze in Jewish settlements.

2.   Opposition legislators criticized the decision as a surrender to Palestinian demands for a building freeze.

3.   Informed of the Israeli protest, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Israel had not agreed to such a building freeze.

4.   Informed of the Israeli protest, the chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said in Cairo that Israel had not agreed to such a building freeze.

5.   Informed of the Israeli protest, the chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Israel had not agreed to such a building freeze.

6.   Israel radio also reported that Netanyahu agreed to a temporary building freeze.

7.   Informed of the Israeli protest, Erekat said Cairo that Israel had not agreed to such a building freeze.

8.   Israel radio also reported that Netanyahu has agreed to a temporary building freeze.

9.   Opposition legislators criticized the approved construction plan as a surrender to Palestinian demands for a building freeze.

10.   However, Ashrawi did not reiterate that a building freeze at the site was a condition for re-starting talks.