JERUSALEM (EJP)---Israel will neither change policies that have been upheld by its various governments since 1967 nor halt construction in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said at Sunday's cabinet meeting, The Jerusalem Post reported.

“We will clarify that building in Jerusalem is like building in Tel Aviv,” Netanyahu said.

A final-status agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, he said, could only be reached at the conclusion of direct talks in which the two sides "sit together and sort the issues out."

Netanyahu said that the planned proximity talks – indirect negotiations with US mediation – would enable the two sides to individually state their case, but would not facilitate an enduring peace process.

Netanyahu said his position would remain unflagging during his visit to Washington later on Sunday, and that he would clarify that to the Obama administration.

Israel’s Defense Minister Ehud Barak - who will be accompanying Netanyahu to Washington - expressed hope that negotiations with the Palestinians would be renewed this week.

“I hope we will begin to advance on a track of intensive negotiations, and not just proximity talks,” Israel's tv Channel 10 quoted him as saying.