US lawmakers threaten to devastate Palestinian economy

cyberhog

"Make no mistake," said Rep. Steve Rothman (D-N.J.), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, "I have no doubt that Congress will act swiftly and with an overwhelming majority to impose penalties if the Palestinian Authority proceeds at the U.N..."

"My certain belief is that," if the Palestinians don't abandon their U.N. bid, "Congress will react strongly and negatively."

"The P.A. is acting irrationally and against its own interests," he said. "These [congressional] resolutions are unambiguous, and when put into effect ... will have a devastating impact on the Palestinian economy.

http://washingtonjewishweek.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=14&ArticleID=15709


In Obama's speech in Cario he said

Israel must also live up to its obligations to ensure that Palestinians can live, and work, and develop their society.And just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel's security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/04/barack-obama-keynote-speech-egypt


Now it's clear the majority of US lawmakers don't give a hoot about Palestinian families, but what about Israel's security? I guess it has not dawned on the bright sparks in Congress that crippling the Palestinian economy will make the security situation even worse which in turn will harm US interests.

In his address in Washington on Sunday, Mr Obama said that "a strong and secure Israel is in the national security interest of United States"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13493372


So it's not the PA that is acting irrationally or against its own interests, it's the the vindictive fools in Congress who are cutting off their nose to spite the face.

wes

I think on the basis of stuff like this, it is fair to say that despite what Obama or other US politicans say, they are defacto opposed to the 2 state solution, and the US led "peace" process is nothing but a farce. The US needs to be kept away from any new peace process, and there involvement is basically poison to the entire process imho.

fergpie

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14924778

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, speaking on Wednesday, warned of dire consequences if the Palestinians went ahead.

"From the moment they pass a unilateral decision there will be harsh and grave consequences," he said.

"I hope that we shall not come to those harsh and grave consequences, and that common sense will prevail in all decisions taken," he added.

Some hardline Israeli politicians have called for Israel to annex sections of the West Bank if the Palestinians go ahead.

Its pretty obvious at this stage that Israel and America don't want a two state solution unless its on their terms. I for one hope that most countries in the UN have the courage to stand up to Israel and America and do the right thing.

wes

I have to say, I find Israel and the US, calling going to the UN, "unilateral" to nothing short of an astonishing and blatant denail of reality. Going to the UN is the opposite of being "unilateral" ffs, and if the US or Israel really believe that, there clearly some what unhinged from reality.

Jaafa

wes wrote: »

I have to say, I find Israel and the US, calling going to the UN, "unilateral" to nothing short of an astonishing and blatant denail of reality. Going to the UN is the opposite of being "unilateral" ffs, and if the US or Israel really believe that, there clearly some what unhinged from reality.

Yes because with 120+ nations behind you your clearly taking unilateral action.:rolleyes:

snafuk35

Jaafa wrote: »

Yes because with 120+ nations behind you your clearly taking unilateral action.:rolleyes:

Any peace between Israel and Palestine is going to have to include negotiation with Israel. Israel will not tolerate a Palestinian state if it becomes a haven for terrorists and the launch pad for attacks against Israeli citizens.

snafuk35

fergpie wrote: »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14924778



Its pretty obvious at this stage that Israel and America don't want a two state solution unless its on their terms. I for one hope that most countries in the UN have the courage to stand up to Israel and America and do the right thing.

The Palestinians and the Arabs generally want a one state solution - an Arab Muslim Palestine and the conquest and destruction of Israel and a second holocaust of 6 million Jews. The creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza will merely be the prelude to renewed attacks on Israel.

The peace process has been predicated on a "two-state solution" thus far but recent polling trends show a decrease in support among Palestinians. A poll conducted in the West Bank and Gaza showed that only 34% of Palestinians support the "two states for two peoples" premise. According to the same poll, 65% preferred talks and 20% violence; however, it revealed that "73% of 1,010 Palestinians in W. Bank, Gaza agree with 'hadith' quoted in Hamas Charter about the need to kill Jews hiding behind stones, trees", "72% of Palestinians endorsed the denial of Jewish history in Jerusalem, 62% supported kidnapping IDF soldiers and holding them hostage and 53% were in favor or teaching songs about hating Jews in Palestinian schools."

http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=229493

Jaafa

snafuk35 wrote: »

Any peace between Israel and Palestine is going to have to include negotiation with Israel. Israel will not tolerate a Palestinian state if it becomes a haven for terrorists and the launch pad for attacks against Israeli citizens.

Yes because as soon as they have a nation they'll launch a war with Israel and risk getting occupied again. Logic is wonderful. And don't say they'd just let people run around launching rockets. How many rockets have been fired from the west bank in recent times? As for Gaza Hamas have repeatlyed said that If a state was established they would endorse a long term ceasefire with Israel. They too have cracked down on splinter groups who fire rockets in times of ceasefire.

Your words are fear-mongering nothing more.

snafuk35

Yes because as soon as they have a nation they'll launch a war with Israel and risk getting occupied again.

The Palestinians have not changed their aims in 70 years. They make no secret of their objective when they chant 'From The River To The Sea. Palestine Will Be Free.'

Logic is wonderful.

You should take the time to read what Palestinians saw in their own words.

And don't say they'd just let people run around launching rockets. How many rockets have been fired from the west bank in recent times?

So? The presence of the security fence which keeps out Palestinian infiltrators and suicide bombers is evidence enough of the threat.

As for Gaza Hamas have repeatlyed said that If a state was established they would endorse a long term ceasefire with Israel.

Only the naive believe that.

They too have cracked down on splinter groups who fire rockets in times of ceasefire.

Only because if they don't the Israelis will do it.

Your words are fear-mongering nothing more.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Jaafa

The Palestinians have not changed their aims in 70 years. They make no secret of their objective when they chant 'From The River To The Sea. Palestine Will Be Free.'

Anecdotal evidence. Here are some facts for you.

Number of Israelis killed by cancer in 2008 alone: 10,124 http://www.jpost.com/HealthAndSci-Tech/Health/Article.aspx?id=185123

Number of Israelis killed by Heart disease in 2008 alone: 6782, see above link.

Number of Israelis Killed by Palestinians in 8 YEARS (2000-2008): ~730

Number of Palestinians killed by Israelis in same 8 year period: ~4860

A 10 year old could see who poses the threat to who. Things get even more lopsided when you factor in Operation Cast lead. (i.e extra 1400 palestinians killed, 10 extra Israelis killed)

Link: http://old.btselem.org/statistics/english/casualties.asp?sD=29&sM=09&sY=2000&eD=26&eM=12&eY=2008&filterby=event&oferet_stat=before

So? The presence of the security fence which keeps out Palestinian infiltrators and suicide bombers is evidence enough of the threat.

Right so If I build a wall around your house claiming its to protect others, the mere fact the wall is there, is evidence enough of your dangerous nature.

Only the naive believe that.

They upheld the 6 month ceasefire leading up to cast lead until Israel broke it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza_War

Only because if they don't the Israelis will do it.

Regardless the end result is the same.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Now that I have proven to anyone what a basic understanding of the situation that you are fear-mongering will you retract this statement? Or will you instead post more statements with no evidence?

cyberhog

TEL AVIV — Defence Secretary Leon Panetta on Monday criticised US lawmakers for blocking $200 million in aid for the Palestinian territories at a "critical" moment in the region.

"The (US) administration opposes withholding those funds from the Palestinians," he said.

"This is a critical time. This is no time to withhold those funds," Panetta told reporters at a news conference with Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak.

...

In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said

"We think it is money that is not only in the interests of the Palestinians, it's in US interests, and it's also in Israel's interest, and we would like to see it go forward."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hZuRf-TYvY97hZkv_v0EHHYs73CA?docId=CNG.17c20ed419fc908f617a5f0d64c1aa1b.f1

Like I said, US lawmakers are vindictive fools.