Israel unveils 'Trump Heights' settlement

[left-of-center2012]

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has unveiled a new settlement in the occupied Golan Heights, named after US President Donald Trump. At a naming ceremony on Sunday, Mr Netanyahu said Trump Heights honoured Mr Trump for his decision to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the territory.

Building work has yet to begin but a sign bearing Mr Trump's name and US and Israeli flags was unveiled. Critics called the move a publicity stunt with no legal authority.

US Ambassador David Friedman, who attended the ceremony, called the settlement "well deserved, but much appreciated".

Israel's cabinet approved Mr Netanyahu's resolution for an "initiative to establish" a new Golan Heights community. But the resolution falls short of declaring the establishment of a settlement, and no money has yet been earmarked for construction.

Political opponents of the scheme have also noted that, legally, no new localities can be established before Israel's elections in September. "Anyone who reads the fine print in this 'historic' decision will understand that this is nothing more than a nonbinding, fake policy," former cabinet secretary Zvi Hauser told the Times of Israel.

A picture taken Sunday shows a sign put up by residents of the new Israeli settlement in the occupied Golan Heights


https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/05/13/world/israel-says-site-found-golan-trump-settlement/#.XQaPgbxKjIU

[malaise]

1. On stolen land? n/t

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

7. Stolen, won, annexed, seized, conquered, plenty of ways to describe it.

But after fifty years, it's pretty well settled.

Another war, and the story may change.

[smirkymonkey]

2. Gag!

[Sneederbunk]

3. How long will the sign last undefaced?

[Doodley]

4. Making a political point at the expense of trying to achieve real peace.

[marble falls]

5. This is so wrong on so many levels. Trump can't find Israel on a globe.

[octoberlib]

6. From the Times of Israel

No plans, no budget: ‘Trump Heights’ inauguration slammed as a PR stunt

“Let’s hope President Trump does not know that his name is being used for this public relations exercise,” Hauser, a former cabinet secretary for Netanyahu who has since become a political rival, said in a press release.

“The prime minister must decide whether he really wants to establish a new settlement and deepen our roots in the Golan Heights or whether he is content with creating a virtual reality for the purposes of a photo op.”

Hauser attached to the press release a copy of an opinion written by the Prime Minister’s Office’s legal adviser, which notes that the cabinet decision is of a preliminary nature only, as more groundwork needs to be laid before the government can establish a new town.

Nadav Eyal, Channel 13’s chief international correspondent, noted that the current interim government does not have the legal authority to establish new communities in the Golan.“So they put this nice plaque, and there’s also some synthetic grass. Say what u will [about] Bibi — he gets Trump,” Eyal tweeted, referring to the prime minister by his nickname.


https://www.timesofisrael.com/no-plans-no-budget-trump-heights-inauguration-slammed-as-a-pr-stunt/