Was Israel Deliberately Trying to Sabotage Palestinian Peace Talks?

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   Ralph Deedsposted 14 years ago

   While Biden was in Israel in an effort to promote Palestinian peace talks, Israel announced plans for more settlements. The announcement was made by Netanyahu's interior minister, Eli Yishai, leader of the virulently right wing Shas party. The announcement was portrayed as an embarrassment to Netanyahu, no mean feat, as well as to Biden and President Obama.
   
   http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/world … biden.html

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      Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Haven't they always. Rabin was going to make concessions but then he was murdered...

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         Ralph Deedsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Looks that way to me. And the fact that we are an ally of Israel is a significant source of Islamic animus toward the United States.

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   Shadesbreathposted 14 years ago

   Yeah, our politicians are looking pretty weak right now.  Not that it matters with Israel/Palestine.  I decided a long time ago that it's hopeless over there. 
   
   You add to your story the fact that Ahmadinejad was practically sitting in Gate's warm chair in Afghanistan, kinda makes us look stoopid for even trying.  I think everyone on every side except the people taking our money hate us over there, and even they only like us for as long as it takes the check to clear.
   
   But hey, the upside is, our checks probably won't clear for much longer, and then we'll see real expressions on everyone's face. 

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3. 66

   Ralph Deedsposted 14 years ago

   Here's what Ha'aretz had to say--
   
   This editorial in Ha'aretz gets it about right:
   
   There is one reason for the crisis: Netanyahu's persistence in continuing construction in East Jerusalem, in placing Jews in Arab neighborhoods and evicting Palestinians from their homes in the city. This is not a matter of timing but substance. Despite repeated warnings and bitter experiences, he stokes the flames over the conflict's most sensitive issue and is bound to get himself in trouble. Netanyahu has made it clear by his actions that American support for Israel, especially essential now in light of the Iranian threat, is less important to him than the chance to put another few Jews in the Sheikh Jarrah or Ramat Shlomo neighborhoods. Even if Netanyahu's adversaries in the U.S. administration have exploited his misstep to push him into a corner, as his "associates" will certainly argue, a statesman as experienced as he should have been especially careful.
   
   Clinton made clear to Netanyahu that it was impossible to expand Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem and also enjoy America's friendship. Netanyahu's flip-flopping games have come to an end. Even at the price of risks involving domestic party politics, he should opt for what is in the national interest and act to strengthen American support for Israel.

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