Jerusalem housing
The case of the 1,600 housing units in Ramat Shlomo, a suburb of Jerusalem, has become an international issue out of all proportions to its true significance, with Secty of State Clinton making harsh remarks to PM Netanyahu about it, and the EU, Quartet and the UN all wading in. Perhaps some words of explanation are in order to see it in perspective.
1. This statement was not issued by PM Netanyahu or the Israeli Government as such, it was issued by an official of the Housing Ministry to the Jerusalem Housing Committee giving planning permission. Admittedly it was a very stupid statement to issue at that time, and was jumped on by the media. It is likely that the issuance was deliberately planned by right-wing opponents of Netanyahu.
2. The statement was a routine part of the planning process, and will not be followed by actual building for at least three years.
3. Not only did PM Netanyahu apologize to VP Biden at the time, but he also profusely apologized to Secty. of State Clinton and reiterated his apologies at Sunday morning's Cabinet meeting. However, this did little good of course, once the anti-Israel forces have an issue like this its like a dog with a rag, they won't readily let it go.
4. The Palestinian side, Pres. Abbas of the PA, has been setting a precondition for the resumption of talks that there be a freeze on all building in the "occupied territories," that as far as they are concerned includes East Jerusalem. But, East Jerusalem has been annexed by Israel and is not part of the "occupied territories" as far as Israel is concerned. Since the US accepted that the freeze would not apply to East Jerusalem, why should they now expect to change that.
5. By continuing the fracas the US is giving the Palestinians another excuse to condition restarting of talks on Israel ceasing such building and/or cancelling this particular initiative. But, since such planning approval in Jerusalem (East and West) is routine as far as the Israeli Government is concerned, and the Obama Administration previously accepted this condition, the Netanyahu Government will not make any changes in this policy. If it did its coalition would collapse. Nevertheless the US is pressing Israel to make further concessions to the PA by cancelling this particular housing project. This is wrong!
6. Israel has commited itself to restart direct negotitions with the Palestinians immediately. Apparently that is what the US wants, so the US is in fact shooting itself in the foot by punishing Israel for this mistake, and providing the Palestinians with another excuse for not restarting negotiations.
7. Net outcome, the US Administration scores points with the Arabs and Muslim world and the international community by castigating Israel but they also delay any further start of even indirect negotiations. That is lousy policy for the US, except for the fact that it fits with Pres. Obama's preference for the Muslim nations and he is due to visit Indonesia imminently.
1. This statement was not issued by PM Netanyahu or the Israeli Government as such, it was issued by an official of the Housing Ministry to the Jerusalem Housing Committee giving planning permission. Admittedly it was a very stupid statement to issue at that time, and was jumped on by the media. It is likely that the issuance was deliberately planned by right-wing opponents of Netanyahu.
2. The statement was a routine part of the planning process, and will not be followed by actual building for at least three years.
3. Not only did PM Netanyahu apologize to VP Biden at the time, but he also profusely apologized to Secty. of State Clinton and reiterated his apologies at Sunday morning's Cabinet meeting. However, this did little good of course, once the anti-Israel forces have an issue like this its like a dog with a rag, they won't readily let it go.
4. The Palestinian side, Pres. Abbas of the PA, has been setting a precondition for the resumption of talks that there be a freeze on all building in the "occupied territories," that as far as they are concerned includes East Jerusalem. But, East Jerusalem has been annexed by Israel and is not part of the "occupied territories" as far as Israel is concerned. Since the US accepted that the freeze would not apply to East Jerusalem, why should they now expect to change that.
5. By continuing the fracas the US is giving the Palestinians another excuse to condition restarting of talks on Israel ceasing such building and/or cancelling this particular initiative. But, since such planning approval in Jerusalem (East and West) is routine as far as the Israeli Government is concerned, and the Obama Administration previously accepted this condition, the Netanyahu Government will not make any changes in this policy. If it did its coalition would collapse. Nevertheless the US is pressing Israel to make further concessions to the PA by cancelling this particular housing project. This is wrong!
6. Israel has commited itself to restart direct negotitions with the Palestinians immediately. Apparently that is what the US wants, so the US is in fact shooting itself in the foot by punishing Israel for this mistake, and providing the Palestinians with another excuse for not restarting negotiations.
7. Net outcome, the US Administration scores points with the Arabs and Muslim world and the international community by castigating Israel but they also delay any further start of even indirect negotiations. That is lousy policy for the US, except for the fact that it fits with Pres. Obama's preference for the Muslim nations and he is due to visit Indonesia imminently.
posted by Jack Cohen at 6:05 PM
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