Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., June 23, 2009 Tamuz 1, 5769 | | Israel Time: 15:51 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File
Share |
Yes, freeze settlements
By Haaretz Editorial
Tags: Settlements, West Bank, Obama 

The Obama administration is demanding that Israel fulfill its commitments under the road map and freeze all settlement construction, including natural growth, as well as evacuate all outposts founded since March 2001. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to evacuate outposts, but is insisting on expanding settlements in the West Bank, citing natural growth, as previous Israeli governments have done.

The settlements threaten to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and the implementation of the partition solution, which is essential for preserving Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state. Defending the settlements requires Israel to operate a complex system of access roads and roadblocks, which make Palestinians' lives more difficult and inflict serious financial harm on them.

Every Israeli government since 1967 has insisted on building and developing the settlements, causing the country severe political damage. The massive resources invested in sustaining and enlarging the settlements come at the expense of other national goals, like the development of the Negev and the Galilee.
Advertisement
For all these reasons, the demand to freeze settlement construction is just and wise. The Obama administration is refusing to accept the natural growth excuse that Israel has made to previous American administrations. Under their protection, Israel has continually increased the number of settlers in the territories and the infrastructure meant for their use - primarily the segregated road system and the invasive route of the separation fence, which is intended to facilitate Israel's de facto annexation of part of the West Bank.

Netanyahu wants the Obama administration to continue the policy of the Bush administration, which ignored wide-scale Israeli construction in the territories, especially in East Jerusalem and its environs. One may question the wisdom of the Bush approach, but it was clearly predicated on Israeli reciprocity; Ariel Sharon evacuated the Gaza settlement bloc of Gush Katif and several settlements in the northern West Bank, and Ehud Olmert began negotiations over a final-status agreement, in which he proposed withdrawing from nearly the entire West Bank.

Netanyahu wants to get something for nothing. He remains steadfast in his opposition to a Palestinian state, and also wants to expand the settlements. His position pits Israel against the American government - a serious and unneeded conflict that comes precisely when Israel is counting on U.S. support to ward off threats to its security and take advantage of opportunities to make peace.
PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
Twitter is not a shield
If a real crackdown comes, it will take more than social networking to free Iran.
Why counter-protest?
Gay-lesbian synagogue in New York turns hate rally into fundraising event.
  1.   About time! 08:27  |  Taylor 01/06/09
  2.   Obama wants action not only words 09:01  |  Daniel Leopold 01/06/09
  3.   Only the settlements in the Golan will get frozen. In December. 09:01  |  Mark Leaman 01/06/09
  4.   Typical Canadian BS, #1 16:20  |  mm 01/06/09
  5.   Obama IS words, NOT actions, #2 16:21  |  mm 01/06/09
  6.   Obama will not face an election, #3 16:23  |  mm 01/06/09
  7.   yes, Freeze Settlements 17:30  |  Marco 01/06/09
  8.   Settlement freeze 18:44  |  JJK 01/06/09
  9.   terror 12:53  |  Alen Barrett 02/06/09
  10.   Settlements are all Israel 14:58  |  Shmuel 23/06/09
Special Offers
Advertisement
hotel Jerusalem
David Citadel Hotel, come stay at the finest of Jerusalem hotels.
ISRAEL ARMY SURPLUS STORE
IDF insignia,Uniforms, Paladium Boots Watches, Israel Army T-shirts & Collectibles
Dead Sea Skin Care
Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
More Headlines
14:51 Netanyahu: Settlements debate is a waste of time
11:35 Iran authorities refuse to annul election results
13:24 'Iran charges slain man's family $3,000 for bullets that killed him'
12:22 Iran to recall U.K. envoy to protest British 'interference'
15:06 ANALYSIS / Twitter won't make Iran protesters bulletproof
13:00 Barak authorizes construction of 300 new homes in West Bank
10:55 Olmert offered to withdraw from 93% of West Bank
22:56 Updated: Iran interactive - images and Tweets from the streets
20:58 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
15:48 Palestinians protest Aharanovitch visit to Temple Mount
15:37 Dutch FM: Syria wants to restart peace talks with Israel
12:44 Israel to release jailed Hamas parliament speaker
15:11 Charity to throw '90s party in Tel Aviv to raise funds for kids at risk
12:48 Protesters block Gaza crossings demanding Shalit's release
09:53 7 great events around Israel not to be missed
13:47 Australia Deputy PM: More honesty needed in Mideast peace talks
Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
| Israel 2009 election results | Makom: Engaging on Israel
| Search engine marketing
Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved