Begin rejects suggested freeze on settlements

Prime Minister Menachem Begin rejected outright a suggestion by the Israeli ambassador in Washington for a temporary freeze on new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and Gaza strip, government officials said.

Ambassador Moshe Ahrens had urged Begin to agree to call a temporary halt to the settlements and work for the involvement of King Hussein of Jordan in the Middle East peace process - actions Ahrens said would improve relations with the United States, which have deteriorated since the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.