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Sharon: The Issue of Settlements Will Be Discussed in Formal Peace Negotiations

Feb 10, 2026 February 10, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced that the issue of Jewish settlements will be addressed only in formal peace negotiations with the Palestinians, labeling it an internal matter. Additionally, Israel's Ministry of Finance has allowed Israeli companies to trade with Iraq, easing restrictions on economic engagement.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: Sharon's remarks signal a continued Israeli focus on settlements while opening economic ties with Iraq, which could reshape regional dynamics.

👥 Key Players

Ariel Sharon MENTIONED
Prime Minister of Israel
"Sharon is a key figure in Israeli politics, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and settlement policies."
Israeli Ministry of Finance MENTIONED
Government body responsible for economic policy
"This ministry plays a crucial role in shaping Israel's economic relations, including with neighboring countries like Iraq."

📰 What Happened

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announced that the issue of Jewish settlements will only be discussed in formal peace negotiations with the Palestinians, calling it an internal matter. Additionally, the Israeli Ministry of Finance has allowed Israeli companies to trade with Iraq, easing previous restrictions.

  • Sharon stated that dismantling illegal settlements will continue.
  • Israeli companies are now permitted to engage in trade and investment with Iraq.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: Iran views Israeli settlement expansion as a threat to Palestinian sovereignty and regional stability, which aligns with its support for Palestinian groups.
🌍 Regional: The issue of settlements is a major point of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, affecting relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
🌐 International: The international community, particularly Western nations, often calls for a halt to settlement expansion as a prerequisite for peace negotiations.

📚 Background

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been marked by disputes over land, particularly regarding Jewish settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law. The recent easing of trade restrictions with Iraq marks a significant shift in Israel's economic policy.

Israeli-Palestinian conflict Middle East trade relations
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
As a statement from a government official, it reflects the official stance of the Israeli government and may not encompass all perspectives on the issues discussed.

Ariel Sharon, the Prime Minister of Israel, stated that the issue of Jewish settlements will only be discussed during the formal peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. On Monday, in the Israeli parliament, Mr. Sharon referred to the settlements as an internal matter and said his government does not intend to address it at this time. However, he noted that the dismantling of what has been deemed illegal will continue. In another development, the Israeli Ministry of Finance agreed on Monday to allow Israeli companies to engage in trade with Iraq. This agreement permits companies to conduct export and import activities with Iraq and invest in the country without facing government penalties and sanctions.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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