The deal on settlement construction looks good for Israel

T. Belman. Although Netanyahu has said that he has agreed to a significant reduction, the guidelines announced don’t suggest as much. In fact the permitted construction will be sufficient to triple the Jewish Population in the settlements.  By stressing where we can build rather than where we can’t build, Cabinet approval was assured.  I wonder if  there are more restrictions that are being demanded or agreed upon that we haven’t been informed of.

Essentially we have agreed not to enlarge the settlement footprint. This suggests to me that there will be an attempt to keep them intact in a deal. Most people are unaware that the settlements comprise only 1% of the land mass of Judea and Samaria. Even if footprint doubled in size it would not prevent a deal. The restrictions will not bring Abbas to the table so what was their purpose.  The serve only to demonstrate that their is no daylight between the US and Israel.

By Shlomo Cesana and AP, ISRAEL HAYOM

Almost two months after the illegal outpost of Amona was demolished, the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet has unanimously approved the construction of a new community for its former residents, even as Israel announced it would scale back overall construction.

The decision marks the first time in two decades that Israel decides to build a new community in Judea and Samaria, although some outposts have over the years been retroactively approved as part of the settlement enterprise. The remaining government ministers also backed the measure in a telephone vote on Thursday.

Netanyahu told the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet that the government was also moving forward with a plan to build thousands new housing units in various communities in Judea and Samaria. He said that out of the total of 5,700 units approved for construction two months ago, the tenders for 2,000 had been finalized. Netanyahu also told the ministers that over 200 acres in Samaria had been declared state land, which would allow their future use for settlement purposes.

The Prime Minister’s Office later said that in light of the ongoing discussions with the United States on settlement activity, it would do its utmost to ensure that additional construction in Judea and Samaria would be limited to existing communities or in land adjacent to their boundaries. The office said that in certain cases, where geography made upholding the commitment unfeasible, construction would take place as close as possible to existing housing units.

“Israel is taking into account President Trump’s position and will therefore take significant steps to scale back construction beyond the boundaries of existing communities and will exercise restraint,” Netanyahu told the ministers, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

The former residents of Amona issued a statement Thursday, saying they “welcome the decision to build a new community.”

The residents said they hoped the decision would allow them to “recreate the special way of life that characterized Amona during its two decades. We expect the government to implement this decision without delay so that we can move in to our new homes as early as this summer.”

The Yesha Council, which serves as an umbrella organization for Judea and Samaria communities, expressed guarded optimism in a statement on Friday.

“In light of the decisions [by the government] and despite the certain restrictions that were placed [on additional construction], the understanding reached between the Israeli government and the U.S. administration will allow continued settlement activity in all the communities in Judea and Samaria and the establishment of a new community for Amona’s residents,” the statement read.

“But what counts is whether the government immediately resumes developing communities all over; we will keep a watchful eye and make sure this plan is implemented.”

The previous U.S. administration was vehemently opposed to the construction of a new community for the residents of Amona. The administration of President Donald Trump, while not as strongly opposed, has asked that the Netanyahu government coordinate any future settlement activity with it. Recent talks between Israeli and American officials did not yield a concrete understanding on the matter and the two sides will hold further talks to reach an arrangement.

Ahead of the vote, Netanyahu said the decision was never in doubt.

“I promised this right at the outset, I believe back in December, and we will uphold it today. In a few hours you will know all the details,” he said at a press conference with Slovakian President Andre Kiska.

A White House official on Thursday sought to play down the Israeli announcement, saying Netanyahu had made his promise to the Amona settlers before Trump laid out his vision. But the official, who agreed to discuss the matter on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about it, signaled that the White House would take a tougher line down the road.

“As the administration has made clear: While the existence of settlements is not in itself an impediment to peace, further unrestrained settlement activity does not help advance peace,” the official said. “The Israeli government has made clear that going forward its intent is to adopt a policy regarding settlement activity that takes the president’s concerns into consideration. The United States welcomes this.”

White House envoy to the Middle East Jason Greenblatt has already made two visits to the region, including attending an Arab summit in Jordan this week. In the hope of renewing peace talks for the first time since 2014, the official said the White House would continue to work with all sides “to create a climate that is conducive to peace.”

April 1, 2017 | 17 Comments »

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  1. Israel has a responsibility to defend its people at all costs no holds barred. If all else fails, Israel may have no choice but to level Gaza and the Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel will have to respond just like Britain and the Americans did to Germany in WWII when Hitler sent missiles the v2 rockets to London.

    Free Israel from Arab/Muslim terror and Arab occupiers.

    It is the Arab Conflict, not Israel. The Arabs want what Israel has; which they built with blood sweat and tears; well they cannot have it.
    Israel is on its own historical territory of over 3,800 years, that with hard work and toil have turned the desert into green pastures with a first class technology and innovation that is helping all the people and nations in the world. The Arabs have over 12 million sq. km. of which 70% is vacant with a wealth of oil reserves and they also have Jordan which is Jewish territory.

    Israel is a sovereign country which also serves as a land based Super-Large Aircraft carrier for the U.S. (with no risk to U.S. personnel) with much more amenities and a sophisticated intelligence apparatus. Israel is one of the worlds leading countries in sophisticated and innovative weapons technology and development of which the U.S. benefits greatly. Furthermore, it is Israel’s Medical innovation and other technology which the whole world benefits from.

    President Donald Trump. Are you willing to help set-up and approve a terrorist Arab State in the United State? Your actions and deeds show you do not! Why would you want Israel to permit an Arab terrorist State in Judea and Samaria? Just see the results of giving the Arabs control of Gaza, which is now a terrorist entity that launches thousands of rockets at Israel and threatens its safety and security.
    No sane leader or government would permit such a move or it will be replaced.

    As long as world countries and leaders contribute money and support to the Arabs who promote hate and commit terror and violence, the terror hate and violence will continue.
    As long as you treat Mahmmoud Abbas as a leader and not as a terrorist criminal (who has a murder conviction and an escapee from justice) who promotes and incites hate, violence and terror, the violence and terror will continue. Stop deluding yourselves that these Arabs are anything but terrorists who seek to destroy Israel and anyone who is not like them.

    Mahmmoud Abbas and his Arab Palestinian authority are a terrorist entity and anyone who condones them is supporting terror and violence. Mahmmoud Abbas is a convicted murderer who is an escaped convict and belongs in Jail. Stop patronizing Abbas and start applying what he deserves, to be put in jail. He gladly admitted for sponsoring the Munich massacre and other terror acts. Abbas is playing the peace game as long as he can milk the nations of the world for billions of dollars and running a dictatorial terrorist entity.
    The Arab PA is no different than Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

    There never was and will never be a second Arab-Palestinian State West of the Jordan River; they have Jordan which is Jewish territory.

    Anyone who thinks about putting another terrorist entity in Judea and Samaria aka West Bank, needs to have his head examined, this type of thinking is an insidious delusion and any government considering such a proposal must be replaced. Such a move is suicidal to Israel especially in view of the results from Gaza, with thousands of rockets attacking Israel. Judea and Samaria is Jewish territory no concession of this territory is permitted. Israel is a sovereign country and Israel does not need anybody’s consent to apply its sovereignty to Judea and Samaria. Israel must expedite building housing, industry and roads in Judea and Samaria. No country has the right to interfere and or dictate to Israel how to conduct its internal affairs and or its safety and security.
    Let the Arab-Palestinians in Judea and Samaria relocate to Jordan or the homes and territory of over 120,000 sq. km the Arab countries confiscated from the over a million Jewish families they terrorized and expelled from the Arab countries.
    The Arab-Palestinian Authority with its leader Mahmmoud Abbas the convicted murderer is a terrorist organization, just like Hamas and Hezbollah.
    YJ Draiman

  2. so what have the fictitious owners of the Amona land done with it? sought planning permission? started to pay tax? running around chasing their tails trying find out how they became non existent owners of JEWISH land?

  3. @ Sebastien Zorn:
    forgot citation:

    https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1CAACAO_enUS736US736&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=mohammad+z.+mohammad+8th+grade+holocaust&*

    Another recent NY case where we know the perps were Muslims

    http://www.thetower.org/4303-watch-activist-urges-american-third-graders-to-become-freedom-fighters-for-palestine/

    Incredibly, this NY charter school still exists. It’s principal was fired for letting kids wear “Intifada NYC” tee shirts.

    https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/20/at-one-year-turmoil-persists-at-arabic-themed-school/

    These kids and their families should be stripped of citizenship and deported to their countries of origin.

  4. @ Sebastien Zorn:
    Mohammed the paranoid schiz

    “Paranoid Symptoms

    Delusions are beliefs that seem real to you, even when there’s strong evidence they aren’t. Paranoid delusions, also called delusions of persecution, are rooted in fear and anxiety. They might make you feel like:

    A co-worker is trying to hurt you, like poison your food.
    Your spouse or partner is cheating on you.
    The government is spying on you.
    People in your neighborhood are plotting to harass you.
    These beliefs can cause trouble in your relationships. And if you think that strangers are going to hurt you, you may feel like staying inside or being alone.

    People with schizophrenia aren’t usually violent. But sometimes, paranoid delusions can make them feel threatened and angry. If someone is pushed over the edge, their actions usually focus on family members, not the public, and it happens at home.

    You could also have related hallucinations, in which your senses aren’t working right. For example, you may hear voices that make fun of you or insult you. They might also tell you to do harmful things. Or you might see things that aren’t really there.”

    http://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/guide/schizophrenia-paranoia#1

    https://wikiislam.net/wiki/List_of_Killings_Ordered_or_Supported_by_Muhammad

    Most of them seem to be poets, slave girls and others who made fun of him.

    Here’s a couple that jump out

    “37 Ibn Sunayna Unknown Muhammad reportedly ordered his followers to “kill any Jew that falls into your power”, Muhayissa heard this and went out to kill Ibn Sunayna (a Jew)[114][115]
    Ibn Sunayna killed by Muhayissa[114][115]

    Sunan Abu Dawud 19:2996
    Ibn Hisham & Ibn Ishaq, Sirat Rasul Allah[116]
    38 ”

    “Blind Jew Unknown Muhammad’s followers kill a blind Jew for throwing dust at his face[122][123]
    Blind Jew killed by Sa’d ibn Zayd[122][123]

    Ibn Hisham & Ibn Ishaq, Sirat Rasul Allah[124]
    Tabari, Volume 7, The foundation of the community[123]
    41 ”

    This is a very short list. I’ve seen much longer.

    Anybody who says he or she is a follower of this guy should be under 24/7 surveillance, at a minimum, and we shouldn’t be allowing any more into this or any non-muslim country. It shouldn’t be protected as a religion, it’s a dangerous fascist cult. Mosques should be turned into mental hospitals. These people are sick. And they are not only dangerous but they are trying to re-shape our educational system, culture, and laws to conform to their insanity.

    I am not exaggerating

    http://dailycaller.com/2015/09/14/saudi-buys-yale-a-new-sharia-law-center/

    http://pamelageller.com/2017/04/montana-democrats-vote-bill-banning-brutal-oppressive-sharia-law-call-repugnant.html/

    http://pamelageller.com/2017/03/christian-student-reinstated-muslim-professors-false-claims-debunked-rollins-university.html/

    https://www.jihadwatch.org/2017/03/indiana-muslim-screaming-allahu-akbar-says-im-going-to-kill-everyone-in-here-tries-to-strangle-clerk-breaks-cops-hand

    http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/feb/25/john-wood-marine-dad-banned-from-daughters-graduat/

    This only surfaced because of threats:

    “May 5, 2014 3:21:18 PM PDT
    RIALTO, Calif. — Whether the Holocaust happened is no longer up for debate at Southern California’s Rialto Unified School District.
    The initial assignment given to eighth-graders in the San Bernardino County district was to do some research and write an essay explaining whether they believed the Holocaust was a real historical event or a political scheme to influence public emotion and gain.

    “It was an error,” district spokeswoman Syeda Jafri said Monday.

    Several groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, called or emailed the school objecting to the assignment.

    One person made a number of calls to police with some very specific death threats, said Rialto police Capt. Randy De Anda.

    The threats were specific and directed at Jafri and interim Superintendent Mohammad Z. Islam, De Anda said.”

    Now we have another “critical thinking assignment” but they don’t tell us if the perps are connected to Islam in any way.

    They should.

    “New York students instructed to debate exterminating Jews
    By Pamela Geller – on March 31, 2017
    ACADEMIA”
    http://pamelageller.com/2017/03/new-york-students-instructed-debate-exterminating-jews.html/

  5. futuret Said:

    “AND AS I SEE HE HAS NOT CHANGED”

    Ha Ha Ha. Another comedian.

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/07/09/ths-many-ways-in-which-donald-trump-was-once-a-liberals-liberal/?utm_term=.6bb116a67b6c

    (typo in article, his book came out in 2000, not 200)

    like Ronald Reagan

    http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2010/mar/30/charlie-crist/crist-says-reagan-was-democrat-converting-gop/

    Rudy Giuliani is also an ex-dem

    http://www.ontheissues.org/Profile_Rudy_Giuliani.htm

    For your consideration, a list of former liberals

    http://www.conservapedia.com/List_of_former_liberals

    (of course, it goes without saying, this list is distorted and blasphemous because IT DOESN’T MENTION ME — just taking a page out of moohammed’s book, for the fun of it — Bloody criminally insane, psychotic, megalomaniac, paranoid/schiz narcissist.)

  6. xx

    I actually CRINGE when reading the “futuret” rubbish. Does this person realise that this is an extremely Jewish -meaning- JEWISH Blog, and that the vast majority of posters, which whilst not predominantly Datim, are 1000% JEWS and JEWISH heart and soul…

    Posters like futuret, whilst welcome in the spirit of democratic fellowship, should have the sayechal to keep their BLOCK LETTERED religious mania outbursts away from here. Please respect us. Missionaries have their place, but it is not on Israpundit, unless they can wait until their perfervid psychiatric storms pass. Take your medication too..

    Direct your enthusiasm to Arab countries and I’m sure we’ll take up a collection for a nice floral wreath shortly thereafter.

    Thank you.

  7. GETTING A HEAD IS NO EXCUSE FOR CORRUPTION, AND AS I SEE HE HAS NOT CHANGED. WE ARE COMMANDED BY YAHVEH TO HAVE FAITH IN NO MAN. HE IS A PART OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER, AND ALL THESE GOVERNMENTS ARE BETTER ACTORS AND ACTRESSES THAN THE ONES IN HOLLYWOOD, WE GET A SHOW EVERYDAY. ANYONE OF THEM WHO WINS A SO CALLED ELECTION SHOULD RECEIVE AN OSCAR. BESIDES, THE CITIZENS OF THE USA, DO NOT CHOOSE A PRESIDENT, IT IS THE ILLUMINATI, BILDERBERGERS, ETC…

  8. But let’s not forget that unlike Obama, he’s going against his past history, close friendships, and political alliances when he imposes limits:

    “President-elect Donald Trump reportedly contributed money to help create new communities in Israel for evacuees of former Israeli settlements in the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip.”

    Read more at https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/78699/trump-reportedly-donated-israeli-evacuees-gaza/#vHy5WTZQ8zCug8VW.99

    “Trump donated toward settlement evacuees
    The US president-elect contributed money toward creating infrastructure in new communities in Israel to absorb Jews evacuated from the Sinai in the 1980s and from Gaza in 2005”
    http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/0,2506,L-4879458,00.html

    “Inside the religious West Bank settlement that forged President Trump’s Israel policy
    “What is it about Beit El that has so captured the attention and donations of key figures in the incoming U.S. administration, all the way up to Trump himself?
    By Judy Maltz Jan 17, 2017
     
    Fund headed by Trump’s Israel ambassador pumped tens of millions into West Bank settlement
    Hundreds of thousands in donations tie Kushners and Trump to Chabad movement
    Trump donated $10,000 to West Bank settlement
    David Friedman, the …”
    read more: http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.765447

    Now, that’s what I call putting your money where your mouth is.

  9. @ futuret:
    He was a Democrat at the time. The Dems control NY and the Mob controls (or at least, used to control, I haven’t kept up) construction, garbage collection and the Teamsters.

    Everybody understands that Trump played ball with a corrupt system to get where he is but believes his promise to use that knowledge as President to change things. So far, no reason not to believe him.

  10. Only as Trump and the new Administration follow The Plan of the Almighty Creator God in His Bible for His nation ISRAEL will Trump & Co succeed. Any double-cross against Israel will invoke a curse from God as God does not play games with mankind. God clearly says what He means and clearly means exactly what He has said. “Those who bless Israel will be blessed. Those who despise Israel will be cursed.” We The People back Trump as long as Trump backs Israel!!

  11. “A White House official on Thursday sought to play down the Israeli announcement, saying Netanyahu had made his promise to the Amona settlers before Trump laid out his vision.”

    Should’a made more promises before. Like everybody was saying!

    IT´S TOO LATE – Carole King (Lyrics on screen)

    https://youtu.be/q8b8Nz31jZw