Ted Belman. Washington is determined to divide Jerusalem and produce an agreement based on ’67 lines plus swaps. So much for Bibi thinking he will be able to build in areas we know we are going to keep, in exchange for agreeing to the prisoner release. America is dictating. We have lost our independence. We must not succumb to American pressure. End the peace process.
Herb Keinon says US knew of settlement construction plans
WASHINGTON – US State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki responded Wednesday to Israel’s announcement of building 1,500 units in east Jerusalem saying “We do not consider continued settlement activity or east Jerusalem construction to be steps that create a positive environment for the negotiations.”
At no time in the course of pursuing negotiations toward a two-state solution have we condoned settlement activity or east Jerusalem construction,” she added.
Psaki stressed the importance of the peace talks and the need to resolve the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. She added that releasing prisoners is a difficult but necessary step to guarantee an agreement.
The State Department Spokesperson also addressed prisoner release, saying it “is a difficult but necessary step to help ensure the success of talks. There are steps that have been taken by both sides in that regard. The talks are continuing, and they – both sides remain committed to the nine-month time frame.”
She noted that US Secretary of State John Kerry “has expressed his concerns and his issue with settlements and construction in east Jerusalem on many times in the past to Prime Minister Netanyahu, and I’m sure he will in the future, as well. But the reason why we want to have talks and the reason why it’s so important they move forward is to resolve these types of issues.”
As for the progress of the negotiations, she said there was “certainly is a difference than where we were a couple of years ago.”
Earlier Wednesday, the State announced plans to build hundreds of new settlement homes.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Interior Minister Gideon Sa’ar recently agreed to advance four construction plans in different parts of Jerusalem. One of the plans will see an additional 1,500 housing units built in the city’s Ramat Shlomo neighborhood.
Jordan’s Information Minister Mohammad Al-Momani fiercely condemned Israel’s decision to build 1,500 housing units past the Green Line. He said that Israel’s decision is a direct threat to the peace process, defying the will of the international community and international decision related to the conflict.
He said the Israeli method only serves extremism and violence. UN Chief Ban ki-Moon also opposed the decision.
Following the announcement, the Palestinian Authority said Israel’s plans to build 1,500 new settler homes in east Jerusalem after freeing 26 Palestinian prisoners is destroying the peace process.
IL Gvt guilty for failing to support the Levy report. The West will do anything to break IL. The IL gvts are participating in their self-destruction.
Il must ignore the West.
@ CuriousAmerican:
The Jews have a capital,Jerusalem,since the time of David.
They should be built. The Eastern half of Jerusalem is Israel’s.
I just think permits should also be given to Arabs as well.
That being said, Jews should build in their own capital.
@ yamit82:
So, Darlin,this is an surprise. Don’t tell me youexpected better of the man????????//
Obama did it again!!!!
Israeli planes strike Syrian military base, U.S. official says
By Barbara Starr, CNN Pentagon Correspondent
October 31, 2013 — Updated 1840 GMT (0240 HKT)
(CNN) — Israeli warplanes struck a military base near the Syrian city of Latakia on Thursday, an Obama administration official confirmed to CNN.
An explosion at a missile storage site in the area was widely reported in the Israeli press, but an attack has not been confirmed by the Israeli government.
The target, according to the Obama administration official, was missiles and related equipment the Israelis felt might be transferred to Hezbollah. The official declined to be identified because of the sensitive nature of the information.
Just build build build the Obamites are free to complain.
It’s obscene that Israel releases murderers of Jews and succumbs to not building in its own capital city.
None of those new Jewish apartments will ever be built.
Netanyahu is not going to offend Obama and he is not going to do anything that would see the collapse of the pretend peace talks with the PLO being blamed on Israel.
Its just cynical PR to divert attention from his inexcusable release of the killers of Jewish children from prison.