By Ted Belman. What the EU is saying is what they have always said, is that the only borders they accept and the borders that both sides agree to. This in fact is what Res 242 provides and what the US has always said. But they are wrong to refer to the ’49 Armistice Lines as “the ’67 Borders”. The US, particularly this administration, has always been against settlement activity. There is nothing wrong with declaring it ‘state land” after due process. Israel is called upon to do this all the time. What the US is doing is attempting to intimidate Israel from building settlements. They recognize that the more Israel builds, the more difficult it will be to reach a peace agreement. Israel’s position is the less she builds the more difficult it will be to arrive at a peace agreement. The weaker Israel is the more intransigent the Arabs are. They do not want a peace agreement with Israel. What America is trying to do is to prevent Israel from doing what it is legally entitled to do.
There is no prospect for peace so long as the Arabs supported by the US demand the the settlement be based on the ’67 lines even with swaps. Israel will never agree to it. Given that reality there is no reason for Israel to stop building.
EU releases statement slamming Israel for choosing “this delicate moment” to make announcement, says it won’t recognize “any changes to pre-1967 borders.”
By MICHAEL WILNER, HERB KEINON, TOVAH LAZAROFF, GIL HOFFMAN, JPOST
The United States is concerned that Israel expanded its holding of state land in the West Bank by close to 1,000 acres for a new settlement city and that plans are pending for additional building activity in east Jerusalem.
US Ambassador Dan Shapiro “relayed our concerns over the weekend,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters in Washington on Tuesday, as she called on Israel to reverse Sunday’s decision regarding the land located in the Gush Etzion bloc, in an area known as Gva’ot.
US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to raise the issue with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. The two were scheduled to speak on Tuesday.
Palestinians claim that the land belongs to five of its villages and accused Israel of expropriating it. But the IDF’s Coordinator of Government Activity in the Territories’ (COGAT) office said on Sunday that an investigation completed this summer proved that the property in question was state land.
However, Psaki said, “We are deeply concerned about the declaration of a large area as ‘state land’ to be used for expanded settlement building.”
“We have long made clear our opposition to continued settlement activity. We call on the government of Israel to reverse this decision,” she said.
Psaki said the State Department is concerned too by reports that announcements of settlement activity in east Jerusalem are pending.
The continued planning and construction, she said, is “contrary to Israel’s stated goal of negotiating a permanent status agreement with the Palestinians.”
The EU issued a harsher statement on Tuesday against the “new appropriation of land in the West Bank, relating to plans for further settlement expansion.”
“Settlements are illegal under international law, constitute an obstacle to peace and threaten to render the twostate solution impossible,” the statement said. “The EU reiterates that it will not recognize any changes to the pre- 1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties.”
It continued, that “at this delicate moment, any action that might undermine stability and the prospect of constructive negotiations following the cease-fire in Gaza should be avoided.
We call on the Israeli authorities to reverse this decision and to engage in good faith toward a lasting peace based on a two-state solution.”
Britain had similarly condemned the action on Monday and warned that it further isolated Israel within the international community.
Israel believes that the land will be included within its permanent borders in any final two-state solution.
An official said that the COGAT declaration was a technical and legal matter.
There is a 45-day window for objections to be raised, which would allow for Palestinians to make a property claim.
There are, however, still many technical and bureaucratic steps that would take years to complete before building is authorized, according to the official.
Finance Minister Yair Lapid slammed Netanyahu for his decision to appropriate 400 hectares of West Bank land, saying the decision damages Israel.
“We need more measured policy conduct, and not to generate unnecessary disputes with the United States and the world,” he said at the Calcalist economic conference in Tel Aviv.
The decision to nationalize the land raised the question, “What is this good for, of all times now? “This was a grab that was not brought before the cabinet and at this time simply causes damage to the State of Israel,” he said.
At this sensitive political time following Operation Protective Edge when alliances are already strained, “part of responsible behavior is the question of when and how to do things,” Lapid said, in a jibe aimed at the prime minister.
Opposition leader Isaac Herzog (Labor) responded that Lapid and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who attacked the plan on Monday, should leave the government if they disagree with its settlement policies.
“They can’t have their cake and eat it too,” Herzog said. “Their criticism should become actions. Lapid and Livni must choose between the path of Netanyahu and the path that will take Israel out of crisis.”
Deputy Transportation Minister Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) called the annexation a symbolic step in the right direction.
“This needs to lead to complete annexation of all Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria,” she said. “It is now clear to most of the public that when Israel concedes territory, terrorism only intensifies.”
Meanwhile Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman, backed the Gva’ot decision, saying at a press conference that the government’s policy was to focus on building in the large settlement blocs that “it is clear” will remain under Israeli sovereignty “in any agreement.”
“Gush Etzion represents the widest consensus in Israeli society, and it is clear to all that in any agreement it will remain a part of Israel,” he said.
Liberman said it was necessary to remember the decision was taken in the wake of the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teens in Gush Etzion in June.
Niv Elis contributed to this report.
yamit82 Said:
That has crossed my mind also !!!!!!!!!
yamit82 Said:
There is another Jewish-American being held in Iran. You keep forgetting him. But, I understand what age does to memory so I don’t mind to remind you. No need to Thank me , Sugar.
Ted Belman Said:
How come I NEVER hear this statement from the GOI?
@ yamit82:
Levin did a great job on that twerp. I did not know that his name is Leibowitz… Stomping on that trash is perfect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3JDkU4E0cU
@ yamit82:
Thank you Yamit.
I sensed a bit of a put down against Jon 🙂
It is high time to do that kind of work.
Levin did a terrific job.
Heh, re: Mark Levin clip, I didn’t know Leibowitz had changed his name to Stewdolt.
Yeah and his last remark – I add a little .. listen to the audience in the background cheer and clap – lets side with the terrorists and cheer for them to kill the Jews – very funny ho ho – just a comedy show.
@ SHmuel HaLevi 2:
I know.
FYI,most Americans regard Jon Stewdolt’s program as a real news show – it’s actually a hate show – he says some remark expressing hated for Bush or Israel or the right to self-defense or whatever – like that and the laugh track is triggered and the various haters across America enjoy it.
I am not always on the “side” of many of his targets but I find this kind of “laugh at something “we” hate” extremely offensive. It’s not humour, it’s a propaganda show..
Michael Savage: ‘Muslim Sisterhood’ runs White House
Contends major powers want Hamas defeated but Obama siding with foe
http://www.wnd.com/2014/07/michael-savage-muslim-sisterhood-runs-white-house/#M7iBUrgip0ddfYlO.99
@ SHmuel HaLevi 2:
• Mark Levin Slams Jon Stewart’s “Putrid” Anti-Israeli Stance • Hannity • 7/22/14 •
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUSQtFoOT4E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTFOOjVeGLY
@ SHmuel HaLevi 2:
@ Max:
Mark Levin SHREDS Jon Stewart Leibowitz: Have You F’ing Seen Israel, you little Twerp?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTFOOjVeGLY
@ SHmuel HaLevi 2:
@ Max:
@ Ted Belman:
Mark Levin SHREDS Jon Stewart Leibowitz: Have You F’ing Seen Israel, you little Twerp?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTFOOjVeGLY
@ Max:
We do not have to in any way explain to anyone not Jewish our innate, basic right to all the Land of Israel.
It is in all records previous to the gruesome concoctions fabricated to justify the assaults by base hordes against my people and Heritage.
The Land belongs to us on its entirety, no need for negotiations.
Our Temple Icons belong to us, not to the Vatican.
Eat.
End of story.
Jon what’s his name is part of our list of enemies and there are forces with us that in due time will attend to all of them.
Max Said:
“…. The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became truth.” (Orwell 1984)
Tonight I heard Jon Stewart say on his show “Israel just took 1,000 acres of their (the nomadic rootless Arabs) land” .
I was astonished! No even any doubt in his mind.
…
So that’s the myth those leftists are operating on!
Or does he/they really believe it, does he/they really care what is truth or not – just they consider their agenda to be “truth”.
@ BethesdaDog:The Arabs have no claim to the ownership of some of the land unless they can prove ownership. All other land is state land.
Also the Arabs have no claim to sovereignty of the land. Only the Jews do.
How much of this is land to which Jews held legal title prior to their eviction at the hands of Arab armies and marauders in 1948? Just 19 years later, didn’t the rightful owners or their descendants reestablish possession of the land by rolling back the military action which led to the owners’ expulsion? I’m not sure what this business of relinquishing proper title at the behest of the EU and Obama means and why it is justified. The Arabs have no more lawful claim to much of this land than do the rightful owners who were, by force of arms, deposed of their possession less than two decades prior.
@ bernard ross:
In a further example of how rotten is the so called leadership here this was released to news moments ago.
In Jerusalem 2500 new homes have been approved. For the Arab Islamics.
Two days ago Netanyahu FROZE 2500 units assigned for Jews in Jerusalem…
yamit82 Said:
I mentioned this fact quite a while back and tied it in with the US courting of sunni tribes in iraq. The CIA had many links with the Baathist leadership of saddam as well as with the sunni tribal leaders. Apparently ISIS contains these same elements and an appearance of military planning aimed at securing the financial long term sustainability while cutting off the resources form the central gov. this sort of planning is not the par for the typical AQ but rather reflects a state military or intelligence element: the baath officers and the CIA. In spite of all the rhetoric they are the only sunni group successfully challenging Iran’s proxies and achieving the goals of the GCC/western alliance. they are the only ones who give credibility to the notion of any fragmenting of Syria and Iraq. Without IS there would be no negotiating position for the west or the GCC.
The russians do the same in Ukraine, support the rebels with “plausible” deniability..its an old game. Perhaps it’s a trade like at Yalta?
According to Lapid the jews are thieves in the night grabbing and running off with the belongings of others…like a “smash and grab”
With leadership like these foreign agents Israel needs no enemies. I find this perspective to be a perfect example of the brainwashing of Israeli Jews that even the vacant land of C belongs to those who never lived upon it as opposed to the Jews for whom these lands were legally and obligatorily set aside in recognition of their historic rights in multiple legally binding international documents.
there appear to be many foreign agents in the leadership institutions of Israel. They have no shame in promoting the interests of the foreigners over the Jewish people. they are so brainwashed now that they shamelessly state it outright:
CFR moles?
sorry Ted, what the EU is saying is that they have changed their minds and that the treaties they made wrt the Jewish people cannot be relied upon…
what they are saying is: We have defined the ghetto for the Jewish people to be continually getting smaller, next decade we will bring on Haifa and every other bit of land where arabs live………..
No Ted, what the EU is saying is that it is illegal and illegitimate for Jews to live anywhere other than where the EU designates that they must live.
What they are saying is that it is illegal and illegitimate for Jews to live in all of their ancient homeland…..
but then the GOI defacto agrees with them!
the GOI “solution” is “we will prick that small butt pimple when it arises”.
therefore the jews have no legal right but are expected to be savvy enough to get what they dont deserve through negotiations?
But not necessary to remember all the broken agreements with the Jews to “facilitate and encourage immigration and settlement of the Jewish people in the mandate.”
Therefore, according to liberman there is no jewish right but merely a one off revenge for a killing.
It is obvious that the leadership has no belief in the rights of the Jewish people, the state of Israel should resign its agency and advocacy position for the Jewish people and help the diaspora to assert Jewish rights in YS as penance for obstructing these rights for decades in the same manner as did the British. The British prevented Jews from entering israel in contravention of their trust but Israel leaves Jews dangling in the diaspora and dying instead of creating a massive aliyah of the diaspora to the west bank using land grants like the US homestead act.
Over and over,at even the thought of Jews building in the land of Israel the world jumps to attack.
but why wouldn’t they?
complaining about their attacks on this one little event is like attempting to lance a small pimple on the butt whe the face is infested with acne. The world takes its example from Israel.
The GOI never issues statements pointing out that the Eu, US and UN are mistaken or liars.
Liberman never summons the ambassadors to demand their commitment to signed treaties with the Jewish people. Every little pimple gets a huge argument because the world follows Israels lead.
According to the GOI Jewish settlement is illegal, it must be, as they never say otherwise. I am tired of the Jews whining about Obama, the UN, the EU etc when their example is caused by the example of the leadership of the state of Israel. The Jews need to stop pointing fingers at others and see that they are themselves causing it.
Jewish settlement in ALL the land of israel is an historic and legal right……speak the words, dammit!!!
one may be forced to bow and give away but while doing so at least speak the words.
Mr. Liberman, summon the ambassadors, open your big mouth and tell the truth, demand that they honor their agreements with the Jewish people, set an example for all Jews.
If not, then dont whine when the world reflects your own shame
Any decision and action on the part of any Israeli government that prevents any Peace agreement is the right move, to which I support.
I oppose Peace with any of our Arab neighbors. That does not mean I favor war which I don’t. We don’t need the Arabs, matter of fact nobody needs the Arabs. They don not produce anything we need or want and they are not serious potential consumers of what Israel has to sell.
Israel can live if need be another 500years with the current status quo.
Our economic future is in Asia not the failing Western Jew hating democracies.
Murdered US Journalist Was Actually Israeli
Journalist beheaded by Islamic State had made aliyah, risked his life to fast on Yom Kippur and pray towards Jerusalem in captivity.
Yes, America takes care of her own (sic) Release Pollard who is also a political captive of Jew hating America. What about another Jewish American captive in Cuba and the American ex marine held in Mexico..???
Unfortunately America treats her close allies no better than she treats her own citizens especially when they are in jeopardy.
Better to be an enemy of America it’s more profitable.
The Israeli Public needs to open it’s mind to the indoctrination and manipulation in play between The EU/The US and Israel. It has all been made possible by Oslo. I do not think it is fair really to blame Begin, although some may do just that arguing that it began with Camp David. But Begin never endorsed a “pal state”, only “autonomy”. Shamir was pressured but he remained true to Begin’s intentions of not negotiating with The PLO and not giving consideration to statehood. So, what happened with Y. Rabin?? He was elected on a similar platform, but something happened to him. This is important because in order for Israel to get out of the mess it is in, it needs to know how it got there in the first place and specifically what the “mess” consists of. I’m not knowedgeable enough to support what I believe, however; there is one person who I feel can shed light on issue. That person is former PM and President Peres. Shimon, may i ask, I know you are out there someplace; what did you do or say to Rabin which made him flip flop and support Oslo? How exactly did you brainwash Rabin, Mr. President.
Thing is… WE must not care what the anti-Semites overseas or here “recognize” or not.
For once a decision such as the return to our control of part of our Land, must be sustained no matter what.
Regrettably Netanyahu as is his routine will attempt to sabotage the decision. He must be sternly advised to cease and desist.
The Brutish must in turn return Gibraltar to Spain and the Islas Malvinas to Argentina, NOW!