The Israeli decision was not an arbitrary edict, but came as a result of mediation.

Palestinians and human rights groups complained about the Israeli decision to close the crossing at the time.

Rather than heightening tension here, the Israeli decision, at least for the moment, relieved it.

Clearly, this Israeli decision does not move the peace process in the right direction.

The State Department said it would have no comment on the Israeli decision.

But there has been no Israeli decision about the road, which could take three years to build.

This is an Israeli decision that has nothing to with terror attacks.

The report noted an Israeli decision on March 18 that no existing military contracts would be renewed.

"This is not going to be helpful," a senior Administration policy maker said of the Israeli Cabinet's decision today.

He asked for Israeli decisions on redeployment "as soon as possible."