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Subscribe to RSSIsrael approves plans to build more than 3,000 homes in East Jerusalem. ITN's John Ray reports from Tel Aviv.
The White House and the State Department said on Friday a new Israeli settlement expansion plan was "counterproductive" and could make it harder to bring Israel and the Palestinians back to the negotiating table.
"We reiterate our longstanding opposition to settlements and East Jerusalem construction and announcements," White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said.
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland reiterated this position, adding: "We're going to be evenhanded in our concern about any actions that are provocative, any actions that make it harder to get these two parties back to the table."
Israel plans to build thousands of new homes for its settlers in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, an Israeli official said earlier, defying a U.N. vote that implicitly recognized Palestinian statehood there.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's conservative government had authorized the construction of 3,000 housing units and ordered "preliminary zoning and planning work for thousands" more.
Marko Djurica / Reuters
A masked Palestinian protester uses a sling to throw a stone at Israeli security officers (unseen) during clashes at a protest against Jewish settlements, in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh, near Ramallah on Nov. 30.
"We believe these actions are counterproductive and make it harder to resume direct negotiations or achieve of a two state solution," Vietor said. "Direct negotiations remain our goal and we encourage all parties to take steps to make that easier to achieve."
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is meeting senior Israeli and Palestinian officials Friday to try to plot a path forward.
Clinton is seeing Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman, and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. She is also talking to Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, a key mediator.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest says only "face-to-face" Israeli-Palestinian negotiations can lead to progress on a two-state solution.
Israeli media, including Haaretz newspaper, said the government sought to emphasize its rejection of Thursday's upgrade by the U.N. General Assembly of the Palestinians to "non-member observer state" from "entity."
Palestinians had a major symbolic victory when the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to recognize them, but the U.S. argued the new status could set back Palestinians in the path to peace. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.
Israel and the United States had opposed the resolution, which shored up the Palestinians' claim on all of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip, saying territorial sovereignty should be addressed in direct peace talks with the Jewish state.
Those negotiations have been stalled for two years, however, given Palestinian anger at continued Israeli settlement expansion. The Israelis insist they would keep West Bank settlement blocs under any final accord as well as all of Jerusalem as their capital.
That status for the holy city has never been accepted abroad, where most powers consider the settlements illegal for taking in land captured in the 1967 Middle East war.
The 193-nation General Assembly overwhelmingly approved the de facto recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urged the world body to issue what he said was its long overdue "birth certificate."
The State Department called Thursday's vote "unfortunate" and "counterproductive," and said it doesn't take the Palestinians any closer to a state.
Spokesman Earnest rejected talk of cutting U.S. aid to the Palestinians.
Jim Hollander / EPA file
A bulldozer sits at a construction site in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Pizgat Ze'ev, which many consider a sprawling Jewish settlement, on Nov. 8. Israel plans to build 3,000 new housing units for Jewish settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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.... and Jesus said: "Blessed are the Peacemakers." I pray for Peace.
And you know what happens to 'peacemakers'-----"Crucifiction!!!!!"
The Israeli's and Palistinians deserve each other!!
"Moral equivalence" is what the villain claims at the end of the movie, and the hero shoots him.
They are still blessed though...
Israel's decision to build homes for families in this disputed area near its capital, Jerusalem, has absolutely no adverse effect on the prospects for a two state solution. Any homes that are built can be transferred to Palestinians if the parties ultimately agree that this area will be part of the Palestinian state. If the area remains part of Israel, a road can easily be built through it to link nearby Arab neighborhoods. The real obstacle to a peaceful resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict remains the appalling refusal by the Palestinians to even sit down and negotiate. In contrast, Prime Minister Netanyahu has properly called for direct, unconditional peace talks. The US and nations throughout the world should make it clear to the Palestinian Arabs that the only way they will get their state is through good faith negotiations with Israel.
mericanguyUS
Israel's decision to build homes for families in this disputed area near its capital, Jerusalem, has absolutely no adverse effect on the prospects for a two state solution. Any homes that are built can be transferred to Palestinians if the parties ultimately agree that this area will be part of the Palestinian state.
Are you serious? Do you think that the Jewish/Israelis for whom these homes are obviously being built will peacefully just leave because they suddenly will belong to the Palestinians? You truly believe that Israel will abide by this?
How many of these Israel bashers recall that in 1947 the UN voted to partition a state for Israel and one for the Arabs. The Israeli portion was significantly smaller. That vote was rejected, and upon the declaration of the State of Israel in 1948 seven Arab countries attacked with the intention of destroying her. And again in 1956, 1967, and in 1973 on the holiest Jewish holiday. So imagine, if the UN partition was accepted what the Palestinian people would have today. They don't want peace....they want Israel!
THE ORIGINAL SIN
"If we had invested in the Arab problem one tenth of the energy, the passion, the ingenuity, the resourcefulness which we developed in order to gain the support of Britain, France, the US and Weimar Germany, our destiny in the development of Israel may have been quite different. We were not ready for compromises; we did not regard it as a major problem. We did not make sufficient efforts to get, if not the full agreement of the Arabs, at least their acquiescence to a Jewish state, which I think would have been possible. That was the original sin."
Dr. Nahum Goldmann,
President of the World Jewish Congress
The original sin occured when the Arab/Muslim world followed al-Ghazali into nine centuries of mystic psychosis.
Basic question is that if Jews want their place at a table of community of nations as equal or priviledge, as a common value and norm accetance or their own above and beyond of all nations?
If they want to be loner, sooner or later USA will get tired and price is too will rise too high. Then the there will be trouble and Jews will ask for help and no one will rise up and say you are special , fend for yourself.
If you can't read history, may I invite you to go fck yourself?
ppEIK:
Only Jews are allowed to such a think by special dispensation of King David.
There is no god, and you're the proof.
Of course the arabs werent going to agree. They were allied with Hitler. Grand Mufti of Jerusalem was an SS major. The SS had arab units provided through the Baath party. They were just continuing the fight.
peanutgallerytheater,
And the SS were sending weapons to the German Jews they sent to colonize Palestine. Those camps in Germany were deportation camps -- where the German Jews were prepared and taught to carve out a new existence in Palestine.
Israel deserves to be bombed out of existence (after the many secular, peace-loving Israelis leave). The government is run by arrogant bullies who don't understand Israel had no right to displace the Palestinian people in the first place (fairy tales in some stupid book are a justification? It's absurd!). How would we feel if Native Americans and Mexicans decided to reclaim the U.S. land where they used to live? (and that would be more justified, as we know for sure where they lived, so their claims would not be based on mythology). Israel makes me ashamed I was born a Jew (and happy I'm an atheist).
Uranus deserves to newked.
By your rationale, Mexico doesn't belong to Mexicans either. You would have to give the land back to the Aztec Indians.
Shepherddogs...no need to argue...Peikovian is certainly about to giton outtahea...don't forget, high school and college are out for the day. not saying they are ALL "peikovian"...but alot more seem to come out in the afternoon...he will be banned shortly I have no doubt.
Neither you nor Shepherddogs makes any sense.
Land belongs to whoever can take it and keep it. It been that way since the beginning of time and some debating club in NYC isnt going to change the nature of the world. As much as you might not like it, its the way it is.
I didn't know the UN vote gave the Palestinians statehood? Oh, it didn't? Whoops, guess I read that mis-information completely wrong!
It gives them access to the ICC -- international criminal court.
Israel exists because of Muslim-on-Jewish violence 1919-1948. The boundaries of Israel were not based on the 1948 diplomatic agreements but on the 1948 ceasefire postitions. The current boundaries will be more of the same. Any Palestinian state on the West Bank will demand East Jerusalem, and any Israeli state will refuse this. Any Palestinian state will demand control of Gaza, and will be refused this as well.
Israel exists because of the ethnic cleansing committed by the Irgun terrorist squads. Deir Yassin ring a bell? Collective guilt and collective punishment are abominations. And no action by another can justify them.
Israel was going to build those settlements with or without the UN vote. Israel has no respect for international law or anybody else, for that matter. They are in violation of more UN resolutions than any other country. Ironic that they snub the very organization that they cite for their very right to exist. At the very least, most of the rest of the world sees them for what they really are, the worst of the terrorist organizations in the M.E.
It's ironic that emo boys lick Jihadi sandals.
There is no irony in that truth Peikovian.....lol. It is funny though.
There are a numerous problems around the world of ethnic groups desiring their 'ethnic birthright' to their 'ethnic homes' that have no solution in sight.
The problem (at least in the middle east) comes from the UK?/France/US drawing unnatural borders after WW I that ensure the tribal types fight each other rather than banding together against the colonials. They already knew there was oil to be had.
Roland.....Apparently you are anti-semitic or you would not have made that stupid remark.... it is much wiser to stay quiet and appear stupid, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
YEAH!!! support Israel :) Always will be Israel's land despite all future wars
Sorry to see Jews are mortgaging their future. This absolute pig headed selfcenterness makes people all over the world dislikes them.
Any group that derives special privilege in name of their God have to be cognizant of the fact that some time Devil can rule and he may find it tempting to take revenge on this special privilege people.
Then they should not compain that sufffering imposed on them is unfair
Unfortunate that one-party sharia states seem normal to you.
Peikovin:
Israel has its own Sharia. Ask women in Israel.
Arabs and Jews are cut from same cloth. They may differ somewhat but generically they are same spcies.
A Muslim man has more rights in Israel than a Muslim woman has in Palestine.
IDGC: I think you are one hundred percent Correct on that. I see NO difference between a Jew and a Muslim. They are both Nuts with Religion.
IDGC---------how can you say that-------Christians have been the worst of bullies throughout the centuries----evrything they have perpertrated has been accomplished on the belief that "their God is/ and was the only true one!!"-----------they like everyone else have justified their behavior through illutionary Gods.
Palestinian Muslims, along with their counterparts in Lebanon, are one of the most liberal Muslims in the world. All you've to do is take a look at the map and you can see how the Israel/Palestine region is a land bridge between Africa and Asia. In other words, a land corridor traveled by millions of people for thousands of years and that way exposing the local population to all kinds of cultures.
That's not the case with Muslims who live in more isolated areas like in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states. Get it now?
IDGC,
Some would argue that the Jews thrive on this sort of negative attention. It helps band them together, and without it, many Jews fear that they may someday 'assimilate' into the Goy population.
if the us would let israel defend itself we wouldnt even have to worry about iran ,iraq,or any other middle east country . we ask them to stay out of wars and we protect them when it helps us but when it dont we are the first to lable them as a bad country not wanting peace. israel dosent need our help never have in fact we need and use them.
What? Never have??? Sir, if the US didn't intervene in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Palestine would've been reinstated. Besides, Israelis need every weapon system and every penny from the US they can get their hands on.
In what planet do Israeli supporters live?
They have been designing their own weapons systems. Iron Dome is an Israeli product.
Is that why Hamas threw Fatah and others off of multi-story rooves? I believe what you say about Lebanese Muslims (except Hezbollah), though. Hamas seeks the total annihilation of Israel. They don't sound so liberal to me.
By the way, do you believe Allah when he says that he gave the Bani Isra'il the land surrounding the "Remote Mosque" in Jerusalem? How about when Allah told the Bani Isra'il to "dwell securely in the land" until the time of the end? That includes the West Bank, by way.
Israel is the anti-christ.
Al Qur'an, Al Isra' 1-8, 101-104.
parkerjoe56, you're an ignorant fool. Your post ranks right up there as one of the worst ever.
The Palestinians have often been blamed for not wanting peace on these boards. While i have no sympathy or understanding for Hamas most of the deals put forward have always had terms no other party/people in the world would accept attached to them. The way i see it.
1. Israel does not really want peace, at least not now. I think they have a goal esp with Jerusalem, to build as much as they can for a long as they can so that it becomes increasingly difficulty to to share or lose it in-case of a 2 state solution.
2. That they truly do fear being brought before the ICC, as NY Times points out. This then insinuates that they really are committing war crimes and fear being brought to account for. For all of the preaching that about Hamas using woman and children as shields, there was little evidence of this at least during the latest break out. Endless videos showed footage of woman and children being dug up from rabble and never once did i see a militant among them, guns or arms caches in the same place and or buildings. Even with the western media there with live reports. Militants did die yes but not with kids around their necks as we are made to believe is the norm.
3. Wouldn't supporting a full Palestinian state actually help expose Hamas more, cut them off the support it has because many see them as freedom fighters. They wouldn't be a need for them. And all the aid money they get could easy be cut off with UN support should the use it to bye rockets.
4. Perhaps we don't want to hear this but we may be more like Israel like we would like to accept. Fear has become an ideology we use to deflect from facing questions about real justice, fairness, equality and accountability. We seem to and with real easy, find labels and faults with anyone who differs from us and our point of view.
I think we would be safe and stronger if we made even our strongest allies toe the line each and everytime they needed to.
The longer the palestinians screw around, the less will be on the table. The world doesnt stop because of them.
They're not screwing around. They have no partner for peace. Israel doesn't want peace with them. Israel will do ANYTHING it can to make sure there is no peace. With peace comes borders -- and Israel is absolutely uninterested in finalizing her borders.
Isreal won't be happy until they drag us into WW3.
REMEMBER THE USS LIBERTY, 34 AMERICAN SAILORS MURDERED BY THE ISREALIS IN A WAR CRIME.
Your dad went down on the USS Liberty, and the boys still send him a Xmas Card.
Peikovian, that's about the lowest, most vile comment I've seen on Newsvine.
Thank you.
The entire Israeli political and military leadership should be tried for war criimes and crimes against humanity.
Thanks Bob, never for the USS Liberty.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that knows about and remembers the USS Liberty incident (An act of war).
At no point does the president of Palestine admit that they shot over 800 missiles at Israel before the Israels began shelling them. Israel also sent leaflets to the Palestinians to evacuate before they shelled some parts of Gaza. The Hamas targets did have civilian casualties. Israeli also had civilians casualties. The West Bank where Christians are around 40 percent of the population currently are and have been experiencing threatening behaviors from Muslims. One Christian teenager was murdered by a Muslim teenager. There is no compromise when Muslims gain the population percentage necessary to threaten non Muslims. The only thing stopping genocide is America power to retaliate against Palestinian in the West Bank if they try to exact widespread genocide. What has happened and is happening now in the West Bank is Christians are being threatened and pushed out. Mainstream USA news media does not run stories about these problems. Ever ask yourself why?
Save the lies for those who want to hear them.
Out of step with the U.N.???
I think what many people forget is the Palestinians don't want a 2 state answer. They want all of Isreal. And at all cost. Lucky for the Isrealis they are way stronger.
Why wouldn't they want all of their lands back? They've been living on that land for thousands of years. Just because Britain was better at the final solution of getting the Jews out of Europe than the Nazis were it shouldn't be a burden that the Palestinians should have to bear. The Israelis are nothing more than a cabal of murderous liars.
The UN is a baboon cage where some very nice East Side condos should be.
Israel doesn't want Peace, never did never will. All they want is More of the Palestinians land. The U.S. ought to walk away from Israel and let them survive on their own. Every time it looks like peace talks are a possibility, Israel does something like this. They have been doing it for years now and not a peep from Washington. Israel is nothing but an Anchor around our neck. We need to drop them like a hot potato. The sooner the better. Remember the USS Liberty. That was an act of War. Linden Johnson was too much of a Wimp to retaliate full force.
Israel leaves Gaza, they are attacked. Spew your lies to your fellow muslims and Obama. We in america know the truth.
Whitehouse doesnt like it? Arabs dont like it? TOUGH @!$%#. Nobody asked for their approval. When there is a peace deal in place then and only then will Israel listen to its enemies.
The modern day Nazi's are at it again, Palestinian ghettos, repression, slayings, etc. Just waiting for the concentration camps and gas chambers.
I guess they didn't forget!
Jihadi intestinal bacteria has learned how to type!
Imagine what it will be like for the Palestinians if they become there own country....And attack Isreal as a sovereign nation. Then they will see a real response to an act of war.
Uncle BenGhazi's Half Baked Susan Rice
Goes with everything
Needs NO Preparation
Ready in a minute..
Perfect for EVERY Occasion or Talkshow..
Don't Like Rice....? Then You are a RACIST...
What is wrong with Israel? don't they get it at all? Yeah, no one liked it when Hamas shelled Israel, but this move will not only provoke Hamas more, it is also as morally bankrupt as Hamas is. Why can't Israel see this???? Geez Louise
ahhh if Only Israel could "see" as you do ...hahahahah
We didnt even HEAR about hamas shelling Israel until Israel attacked back. Liberal media loves a designated victim group.
if I remember my history correctly, it was the Arab Muslims that started the wars to push, kick, and try to grab the Jewish lands. They failed. Israeli kicked all their buns back and was rewarded with East Jerusalem, West bank, Golan Height, and Gaza. Well, lets negotiate from there. Israeli get to keep East Jerusalem. The Arabs Muslim get Gaza. Israeli get to keep Golan Height and at 20% West Bank. Arabs Muslim gets 80% West Bank. I think this is fair and end the family feuds.
Lets Drink a Toast to Hammas ..
Or better yet..wait till they are toast ..and then have a drink..
Let's give up this nonesence about 'peace'---------nobody wants peace-----what they really want is dominence over everyone else!!-----------that is the human Psyche!!
Here we go again, I applaud Israel for the non-escalation, after all if the Mexicans started lobbing rockets at Tucson, how would we react, but the whole basis for this uprising has been the constant expansion of Israel into palestinian territory...again, how would we react if Mexican shanties started showing up on the US side of the border in Nogales...and what will saying this is 'counter-productive to peace' achieve exactly....come on Barack...action, not words..you want to end this thing, tell Israel they're on their own..no support, no money, nothing...you want to make this bed..you sleep in it...
Well... have you not heard?!! They did. They migrate over instead. Bad analogy dude.
THE U.N. Has BEEN..An OBVIOUS JOKE..for Many years..
Our Commander-of-Cheese ..addressed the Commie Clown Circus..
...and MEDIA SPUN ..The Steam Boat Willy Video about the Spontaneous Demonstration
The ONLY Thing that was SPONTANEOUS..was OBAMA's Self-COMBUSTION..
The U.N...SILLY SOROS's CIRCUS of Delusional WORLD ORDER...and SOCIALIST FUTURE