Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Monday he believed negotiations with the Palestinians could progress within weeks. Barak also rejected remarks by Ministers Eli Yishai and Avigdor Lieberman, who spoke in favor of construction in settlements.

The defense minister said in closed talks that "there is a good chance to further the peace process" and that "the dialogue with Washington will produce an American plan for an inclusive settlement within weeks".

"Besides standing up for Israel's security principles, we must be part of this process," Barak said. "I am certain that soon, with the US's cooperation, we will be able to renew negotiations."

He added that Israel's policy should not focus on recent Palestinian rhetoric, but said he would not battle his colleagues of the opposite opinion. "We must continue to make sure the path is clear for negotiations," Barak said, referring to talks with Syria and the Palestinians.

The Defense Ministry stressed Monday that Barak's visit to the Ohel Yitzhak Synagogue, located on the margins of the Muslim Quarter in Jerusalem's Old City, had nothing to do with Lieberman and Yishai's comments.

"The visit was held in order to bring in a Torah belonging to the family that heads the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers," the ministry stated. "The defense minister chose to accept an invitation by the Western Wall rabbi, which said that the synagogue is part of the Western Wall compound."

The US administration, meanwhile, has decided to ignore the ministers' comments. State Department spokesman Robert Wood said Washington would try not to respond to remarks made by regional leaders in order to focus on creating an atmosphere of faith between the sides.