White House Opposes New Israeli Settlement Construction

[Purveyor]

By BYRON TAU | 11/30/12 1:42 PM EST

The White House condemned Israel's decision to build more than 3,000 new settlements in the occupied West Bank and in East Jerusalem.

"We reiterate our longstanding opposition to settlements and East Jerusalem construction and announcements," National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said.

"We believe these actions are counterproductive and make it harder to resume direct negotiations or achieve a two state solution. Direct negotiations remain our goal and we encourage all parties to take steps to make that easier to achieve," Vietor said.

Israeli officials announced Friday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government had approved the construction of thousands of new housing units, and were laying the groundwork for more.

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http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/11/white-house-opposes-new-israeli-settlement-construction-150763.html

[bunnies]

1. Yawn.

A marginally stern statement doesnt mean a damn thing. There are no consequences for this and Israel knows it. They give us the finger with one hand while taking 3 billion a year with the other.

[Lucinda]

3. There is a bigger picture here I think... Both Israel and Palestinian activities have

been mentioned as "counterproductive" to peace negotiations by the US in statements today. I bet that there is a lot going on behind the scenes right now. I don't think that either statement is meaningless in the grand scheme of things.

I'm not explaining myself well today...medicine is making me a lil fuzzy!

[bunnies]

7. Dont worry Lucinda!

I took a vicoden a while ago. Im with ya on the fuzzy.
& I hope youre right. Its time to get it done or pull the funding and walk away from it. Simply scolding them doesnt work. Obviously.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

2. Wow! Another stern "Tsk, Tsk" they can giggle at.

[Earth_First]

4. "We're serious. Don't you. Why! You are gonna GET it!"

[hifiguy]

5. Like that old Monty Python bit with the cop who says

"Halt!! Or I'll say halt again!"

Cut off the arms sales or take a meaningful step or STFU. Everybody knows this is just kabuki theater and Netanyahoo feels free to moon the US government knowing that there will never, ever, be any meaningful consequences for his criminal land-grab. The Israeli government will be willing to negotiate the day after it has stolen the last square inch of Palestinian land.

[byeya]

10. Say it again! You're 100% correct.

[FarCenter]

6. Put up a big wall around Israel, West Bank, and Gaza -- quarantine the lot!

[sabrina 1]

8. Weasel words. 'Counter-productive' is not the word, 'illegal' is the proper word.

[on point]

9. Sooo eliminate their $5 billion / yr funding already!! (BTW $50 billion over 10 yrs!)