Israel/Palestine
Related: About this forumThe 'NYT' finally realizes: Netanyahu doesn't care what Obama thinks
Source: +972 Mag
For years, liberal American publications have been generally sympathetic to Israel, even when they are criticizing its governments policies. Now, in light of an unprecedented New York Times editorial, that attitude might be about to change.
The New York Times editorial board has realized, about a decade too late, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not care what the Obama administration or any U.S. administration, for that matter thinks about his policies regarding the Palestinians.
According to the editorial published Friday, October 7, headlined At the Boiling Point With Israel, the catalyst for this realization was Netanyahus decision to approve the building of a new settlement deep in the West Bank, only three weeks after the U.S. finalized a package of military aid for Israel to the tune of an unprecedented $38 billion, spread over 10 years. Israel receives more military aid than any other country, by far: Egypt, which receives $1.31 billion per year, is the second-largest recipient of direct military aid from the United States.
As noted in the editorial, the new settlement will be geographically located so that it is added to a string of existing Israeli housing projects that collectively nearly bifurcate the West Bank.
In response to Israels announcement the State Department and the White House released angry statements that referenced broken promises and castigated Israel for not behaving as friends should behave toward one another.
Read more: http://972mag.com/the-nyt-finally-realizes-netanyahu-doesnt-care-what-obama-thinks/122471/
Little Tich
(6,171 posts)Source: The New York Times, OCT. 6, 2016
If the aim of the Israeli government is to prevent a peace deal with the Palestinians, now or in the future, its close to realizing that goal. Last week, it approved the construction of a new Jewish settlement in the West Bank, another step in the steady march under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to build on land needed to create a Palestinian state.
The Obama administration, with every justification, strongly condemned the action as a betrayal of the idea of a two-state solution in the Middle East. But Mr. Netanyahu obviously doesnt care what Washington thinks, so it will be up to President Obama to find another way to preserve that option before he leaves office.
The best idea under discussion now would be to have the United Nations Security Council, in an official resolution, lay down guidelines for a peace agreement covering such issues as Israels security, the future of Jerusalem, the fate of Palestinian refugees and borders for both states. The United Nations previously laid down principles for a peace deal in Resolution 242 (1967) and Resolution 338 (1973); a new one would be more specific and take into account current realities. Another, though weaker, option is for Mr. Obama to act unilaterally and articulate this framework for the two parties.
The new settlement, which would consist of up to 300 homes, is one of a string of housing developments that would nearly divide the West Bank. It is designed to house settlers from a nearby illegal outpost, called Amona, which an Israeli court has ordered demolished because it is built on private, Palestinian-owned land.
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/07/opinion/a-way-to-keep-the-2-state-option-alive.html
Israeli
(4,293 posts)...........
Israel Settlement Activity Quadrupled Over Past Year
Much Construction Taking Place Deep in Palestinian Territory
by Jason Ditz, October 07, 2016
A new report from settlement watchdog group Peace Now reports that Israel has quadrupled its construction activity in the occupied West Bank over the past year. Active moves to advance construction on some 2,168 new housing units have happened since last year.
Perhaps even more disturbing than the actual numbers is where the construction is taking place, as large amounts of the construction is happening deep in Palestinian territory, in places like Ariel, settlements that are far beyond the borders of any expected negotiated two-state solution.
Another popular site for construction is Efrat, which is along the only highway connecting the northern and southern parts of Palestine. As these settlements grow, it adds obstacles to any potential peace deal which would lead to an independent Palestine.
These figures are only those on active new building activity. Israels far-right government has given on-paper approvals to vastly more housing units than this over the past year, but many are still in the early planning stages.
Source: http://news.antiwar.com/2016/10/07/israel-settlement-activity-quadrupled-over-past-year/
Israeli
(4,293 posts)Calista241
(5,598 posts)He's got about 4 months of being a lame duck President left, and Hillary is an unabashed Israel supporter.
Israeli
(4,293 posts)Itamar Eichner|Published: 09.10.16
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken to US Secretary of State John Kerry in an effort to mitigate the latest crisis with Washington over the Israeli government's decision to approve the construction of 300 housing units in the settlement of Shvut Rachel.
Netanyahu told Kerry that the construction in Shvut Rachel is meant to provide an alternative for the residents of the illegal outpost of Amona, which is schedule to be demolished in December after the High Court of Justice determined it is built on privately-owned Palestinian lands.
Netanyahu added that the new housing units will be built only if no other solution is found.
The prime minister has been holding a series of meetings with Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and other officials in an effort to find a solution to the Amona crisis and to prevent similar such cases in the future.
Both the State Department and the White House issued unusually strong statements against the decision last week.
"Proceeding with this new settlement is another step towards cementing a one-state reality of perpetual occupation that is fundamentally inconsistent with Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement. "Such moves will only draw condemnation from the international community, distance Israel from many of its partners, and further call into question Israel's commitment to achieving a negotiated peace."
The White House also issued a sharp condemnation of the decision, saying it undermines the peace process and contradicts assurances from Jerusalem.
"We did receive public assurances from the Israeli government that contradict this announcement," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said at a news briefing. "I guess when we're talking about how good friends treat one another, that's a source of serious concern as well."
Source : http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4864679,00.html
Little Tich
(6,171 posts)Tricksy...
Israeli
(4,293 posts)....and yes right now ....all one has to do is drive around The Wild West Bank ....building within the settlements never stops Little Tich.
See :
http://dev.peacenow.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/settlements_map_eng-2016_new.pdf