So, Joe tells Tweety that he that he feels optimistic that some real peace can

[gateley]

be achieved, and mentioned he expressed the same thing to the Prez and the Prime Minister.

Then, Israel makes an announcement that they're going to be building a settlement in East (I think East) Jerusalem which apparently is a hot spot/topic.

Joe "condemns" the action -- his statement was made through the WH. This surprised me because we always seem to be so accommodating when it comes to Israel, and keep the disagreements kind of private. Apparently they thought this action warranted a public pronouncement.

What concerns me is, that the U.S. has always been such a staunch supporter of Israel (whether you agree with that stance or not), and that Israel made such a "fuck what the U.S. wants" blatant statement.

I don't follow the politics there, or the politics between them and us, but for some reason, this makes me feel -- worried? Concerned? On alert? :shrug:

Just "talking" to you guys -- no responses necessary unless you have an opinion, too, or can educate me. :7

[jillan]

1. That was really shitty. It was like they were saying to us "we don't have to listen to you".

From the bits and pieces I've picked up on is the Israeli gov't that's in power right now is extremely right wing and they are not too fond of Obama.

Hopefully Joe can get thru to these people. I think they like him.

[gateley]

2. That's what's so weird -- they made this announcement AFTER they spoke

with Joe and after he's given the report of how good it went and how encouraged he was! :grr:

As Tweety said, Joe has been a good friend to Israel for many years. WTF?

I think he's known Netanyahu for years, you'd think they would have given him a heads up or something during the meeting.

[gateley]

3. Well check this out:

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1155460.html

I wonder if Joe let them have it -- I bet he was furious!

[PatSeg]

4. Geez

There is no limit to that government's arrogance. That was really rude and defiant.

[gateley]

5. I just heard Andrea Mitchell say the announcement was made as Joe was

en route to "Bibi Netanyahu's" home for dinner! My mouth is still hanging open in shock.

Edit -- I'd love to know how that dinner went. Joe wouldn't keep his mouth shut and pretend nothing was wrong.

[PatSeg]

6. I can't even imagine

what was going on in Joe's head. It just seems that their government thinks they can do anything they want and the U.S. will never say anything - just keep sending them money. No wonder there is no peace in the Mideast.

[PatSeg]

7. On Hardball

they said that Joe was 90 minutes late for his dinner with Netyanyahu and that it appeared to be intentional as if to send a message of the White House's displeasure with the expansion of the settlements.

[jillan]

8. Good for Joe for doing that. Oh to have been a fly on the wall during that dinner.

[gateley]

10. Ah -- someone posted Joe was 90 minutes late but didn't explain it was for

dinner -- I thought they meant to the Big Meeting.

I'd agree, that was a statement. I wonder if Joe was grinding his teeth by the time he arrived. Has anyone heard Joe make a statement about this? I know he couldn't say what he'd really WANT to say, but I'd love to see the expression on his face.

[PatSeg]

12. I haven't heard any statement

other "condemning" it.

I have to wonder the Israeli government really wants peace. Maybe a constant state of fear is good for them politically, much like it was during the Bush years here. I heard a while back that a large percentage of Israel's people are more moderate to liberal in their views about Palestine.

[jillan]

9. Why they had to do that now is unbelievable!

They knew Joe was coming...they should have done this last week.
If they did it after Joe left, it would have been just as bad, imho.

[gateley]

11. Maybe they didn't want it to be a topic during the meeting -- they know how

the US would view it.

And as someone said, for us to use the word "condemn" regarding this speaks volumes.

[PatSeg]

13. Its like they're always

daring the U.S. to say something about their behavior. They've broken the rules over and over again and all they get is a slap on the hand, if they even get that.