Report: Netanyahu rejects freeze

dlofnep

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu rejected White House requests for a freeze on Jewish construction in east Jerusalem, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

Over the weekend, Netanyahu's government gave the Obama administration a response to the demands made in a March 23 meeting between the two heads of state. Although the exact details of the meeting were not made public, it has been widely reported that Obama's main request was to freeze all construction in the Jewish neighborhoods of east Jerusalem, which Netanyahu has refused.

Netanyahu's reaction echoes a statement made in an interview with ABC News on Sunday, that the idea of a building freeze in east Jerusalem “is totally, totally a nonstarter.”

http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=173641

Surely, this is counter-productive to peace? Netanyahu must be aware that any expansion of settlements will provoke Palestinians. Why does he knowingly place the security of Israel at risk, for the sake of expanding his territory?

The US administration obviously haven't sent a clear enough message on the importance of freezing settlements, to create a political climate stable enough to begin peace-talks. Netanyahu needs to go, as he is a danger to the future of Israel.

Mahatma coat

How much longer do the Israelis need to hold out before they have all of it????

This coupled with the new rules they brought in to remove large chunks of the Palestinian population should leave noone in any doubt as to Israels intentions.

FlutterinBantam

I'm in doubt actually.

Obviously they will defend their borders,but other than that, the usual anti Israeli lobby will hardly provoke them, I would have thought.

I'm sure they will treat those 'professional protesters' with their usual disinterest.

anymore

Is yet another Israeli thread necessity ?
Maybe it is time to start a separate Middle east section to free up this section for Irish politics !

dlofnep

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

I'm in doubt actually.

About what, exactly?

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

Obviously they will defend their borders

Who mentioned anything about borders? East Jeruselem is not a part of Israeli borders.

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

,but other than that, the usual anti Israeli lobby will hardly provoke them, I would have thought.

The current topic is, Netanyahu rejecting requests for settlement freezes. If you wish to discuss topics pertaining to a fictional anti-Israeli lobby, then you're free to create a new thread. I'd appreciate it if you didn't take mine off-topic.

If you're willing to discuss the current topic - Then, answer the following. Do you believe that Israel should move forward with these settlements, while at the same time - claim that they want to establish peace? Is one not a contradiction of the other?

dlofnep

anymore wrote: »

Is yet another Israeli thread necessity ?

Yes, it is. This is a new development, regarding Israeli policies - reported today.

Could you answer the questions I have posed?

anymore wrote: »

Maybe it is time to start a separate Middle east section to free up this section for Irish politics !

I would be in favour of this. Perhaps you might make a request in the forum request forum.

anymore

dlofnep wrote: »

Yes, it is. This is a new development, regarding Israeli policies - reported today.

Could you answer the questions I have posed?



I would be in favour of this. Perhaps you might make a request in the forum request forum.

You are a Moderator, I suggest you do what is necessary in this regard.
I cannot see how this thread cannot be accomodated in the Israel Aparthied thread.
As for your question; it raises a question of its own - is dividning Jerulem into two capitals viable ? Are we to have Berlin Mark II ?
And what is to stop Islamic terrorists from using East Jerualem as a launching pad for Rockets into Jerusalem proper ?

kmick

My only surprise is that Israel are moving so slowly with this continuous land grab. Realistically there is no one who can or will stop them.

dlofnep

anymore wrote: »

You are a Moderator, I suggest you do what is necessary in this regard.

I'm not a moderator of this forum. I am merely a poster, much like yourself.

anymore wrote: »

I cannot see how this thread cannot be accomodated in the Israel Aparthied thread.

It's not an issue of Apartheid. It's an issue of settlements.

anymore wrote: »

As for your question; it raises a question of its own - is dividning Jerulem into two capitals viable ? Are we to have Berlin Mark II ?

So what is your suggestion? There are three possible scenarios.

1) Jerusalem becomes an international city - where neither Palestinians or Israel hold control over it.

2) East & West Jerusalem are divided between Palestine and Israel.

3) Israel controls all of Jerusalem.

Which one do you subscribe to, and why?

anymore wrote: »

And what is to stop Islamic terrorists from using East Jerualem as a launching pad for Rockets into Jerusalem proper ?

You're aware that even if Israel controlled Jerusalem, they would still border Palestinian territory? By controlling east Jerusalem, and building settlements as the expense of the Palestinian population - Israel is instigating war.

Israel cannot claim to want peace, while at the same time refuse to freeze settlements. It is not logical. The entire globe opposes their settlements, including their #1 ally. So why should the Palestinians tolerate it?

wes

Well, hardly surprising. Israels primary desire has always been land. Much of what they do is detremental to there security, and yet they continue to engage in constant provocation. It seems that the Israeli government, has the interests of the lunatic fringe in there society, who want to endanger all of Israel, with this constant and pointless provocation.

Otacon

anymore wrote: »

Is yet another Israeli thread necessity ?
Maybe it is time to start a separate Middle east section to free up this section for Irish politics !

dlofnep wrote: »

I would be in favour of this. Perhaps you might make a request in the forum request forum.

Apologies for going off-topic, but just to mention, I have just set up a thread in the Forum Requests section for this.

If you would like to support this forum, please reply to that thread.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055891012

old_aussie

Good to see Israel is stickin to it's guns on expansion

wes

old_aussie wrote: »

Good to see Israel is stickin to it's guns on expansion

So you support a violent activity that will lead to more violence, and put Israeli civilians in danger due to the warped demands of a lunatic fringe?!?

dlofnep

old_aussie wrote: »

Good to see Israel is stickin to it's guns on expansion

Please explain why that is a good thing?

FlutterinBantam

Mahatma coat wrote: »

How much longer do the Israelis need to hold out before they have all of it????

This coupled with the new rules they brought in to remove large chunks of the Palestinian population should leave noone in any doubt as to Israels intentions.

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

I'm in doubt actually.

That is the post I replying to.Do you seriously think that you can parse and analyse every sentence out of context and claim off topic?

Someone took you up that that before, so please don't try it with me.

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

Obviously they will defend their borders,but other than that, the usual anti Israeli lobby will hardly provoke them, I would have thought.

You mentioned expansion of territory,I would expect that to refer to a border?

I'm sure they will treat those 'professional protesters' with their usual disinterest.[/QUOTE]

Bottle_of_Smoke

Israel's only existed for 60 or so years. They feel insecure that they're still not seen as a real country. They feel a two state solution will undermine this further.

Softly softly they're taking all the Palestinian lands and eventually it'll get to the stage where a Palestinian state will be unviable and the whole idea will be scrapped.

Might be more terror in the short term but eventually then it might get to the stage where its Israel but Palestinians have equal rights and perhaps have their right to be Palestinian recognised.

Pretty similar to the north. Still the UK but nationalists can get an Irish passport.

irishconvert

dlofnep wrote: »

Please explain why that is a good thing?

Because he is a bigot who hates all Muslims.

irishconvert

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »

... eventually then it might get to the stage where its Israel but Palestinians have equal rights and perhaps have their right to be Palestinian recognised.

Pretty similar to the north. Still the UK but nationalists can get an Irish passport.

Come on, be realistic!

dlofnep

irishconvert wrote: »

Because he is a bigot who hates all Muslims.

While I have seen his posts, and they do demonstrate that. I'd like him to be accountable for his comments.

Nodin

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

I'm in(....)disinterest.

That post seems to have nothing to do with the thread. Your explanation makes little sense.

Bottle of Smoke wrote:

Might be more terror in the short term but eventually then it might get to the stage where its Israel but Palestinians have equal rights and perhaps have their right to be Palestinian recognised..

If you follow the issue, now and again you'll see the major Israeli parties 'reaffirm their committment to a Jewish majority'. This essentially reflects the Israeli drive to take land, but not the Palestinians on it. As a result, they aren't going to just annex the West Bank, as it contains 'too many' Palestinians.

FlutterinBantam

Nodin wrote: »

That post seems to have nothing to do with the thread. Your explanation makes little sense.


If you follow the issue, now and again you'll see the major Israeli parties 'reaffirm their committment to a Jewish majority'. This essentially reflects the Israeli drive to take land, but not the Palestinians on it. As a result, they aren't going to just annex the West Bank, as it contains 'too many' Palestinians.

It makes sense if you want it to make sense.

I am replying to a post

I presume that's allowed.

Bottle_of_Smoke

irishconvert wrote: »

Come on, be realistic!

I'm talking really long term. The same thing was happening to nationalists in Protestant Ulster for a Protestant people a few decades ago.

Equal rights/Irish passport wouldn't have been forseen back then.

Nodin wrote:

If you follow the issue, now and again you'll see the major Israeli parties 'reaffirm their committment to a Jewish majority'. This essentially reflects the Israeli drive to take land, but not the Palestinians on it. As a result, they aren't going to just annex the West Bank, as it contains 'too many' Palestinians.

Well maybe but its been shrinking and shrinking over time. There's ways of getting people to move off the land. I hope you're right but can't say I'm optimistic

Nodin

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »

Well maybe but its been shrinking and shrinking over time. There's ways of getting people to move off the land. I hope you're right but can't say I'm optimistic

There are indeed ways - too many to list here - which is whats being employed in Arab East Jerusalem, where they annexed the area along with its inhabitants.
http://www.btselem.org/English/Jerusalem/

Your lack of optimism is not unfounded, by any means.

Jonny7

Is there any actual consequences to Israel's current actions?

This way they get to stand up, be firm, stubborn, strong (which takes very little effort when you are the most powerful state in the region by far), the PM, the party, etc look good.

In the long run, they obviously do not want a strong vengeful Palestine on their doorstep, so its obvious they try to keep the Palestinians down, and if any rockets land on Israeli land they can streamroll into whoever fired them

US will always support them, their lobby and ties and history and connections are too strong.

Basically it benefits everyone involved to be a bastard (exluding all the victims of this, i.e. Palestinians)

If, of course, they didn't have the vast military they have and weren't chummy with the West they would be utterly condemned for their actions, which, lets face it, are pretty disgraceful.

God, its so simple to be right-wing, zero thought involved, just might and force and 'being firm' on everything.

arybvtcw0eolkf

kmick wrote: »

My only surprise is that Israel are moving so slowly with this continuous land grab.

Its not land grab, its land already captured during the 1967 war but the idiot has just decided to build on it now.

Completely counter productive to peace, yes.

Beats me, and every Israeli I know.

Nodin

Jermaine Hissing Visionary wrote: »

Its not land grab, its land already captured during the 1967 war but the idiot has just decided to build on it now.

Completely counter productive to peace, yes.

Beats me, and every Israeli I know.

I'd presume he's covering a number bases, by keeping the right wing in his coalition happy, getting asses on the ground in case the US forces a settlement, with the covering outside bet that the Fatah/PLO faction will become so provoked they'll drop the ceasefire and allow him to move ahead even faster. It's a win, win, win situation, provided the US doesn't actually rein him in.