Arab League chief: Abbas won't enter indirect peace talks now

I totally agree with you . Abbas and the PA in general are there because the U.S. and Israel want them to be there. Demecratically, they were rejected very clearly in the last palestinian elections and they are even more rejected these days. But unfrtunately, the U.S. and Israel want a SELECTIVE democracy in the palestinian territories not a real one because the real democracy came up with an undesirable party,HAMAS; bothnU.S. and Israel refused to deal with the demacratically elected government. PA is very weak and cannot deliver, Hamas is the party that can negotiate and can deliver.

17: "I would cherish your own opinion - please tell me who prevented Arabs west to the Jordan river to proclaim their state before 1967?" Answer: The IDF, because it had seized well over half of the territory that had been allocated to that "Arab state", and the state of Israel was insisting that it had annexed all of that territory to itself. You, of course, query why they didn't declare a state in the rump that was left. Doing so would have meant conceding over half of their territory to a thief, and at that stage they were not willing to do that.

CJ: "Johnboy `annexed` ? Is there a document to show annexation of the territories Israel captured by 1949/50?" From the earliest days of its inception Israel has had the "Law and Administration Ordinance" in place. And that ordinance clearly stated that all laws applying within the State of Israel would apply to "any part of Palestine which the minister of defence has defined by proclamation as being held by the Defence Army of Israel." That can have only one meaning i.e. any part of (ex)Mandate territory that the IDF manages to get its greedy mitts on automatically becomes a part of "Israel". An illegal action under international humanitarian law, sure, but an action that is "legal" under Israeli law. NOTE: Israel amended that ordinance immediately after the Six Day War so that its application WASN'T automatic, but had to be "designated by the government by order"

"You continue to refer to propaganda sites.." No. It's my site. It contains NO links, sources or material from any propaganda sites except the Israeli Govt. http://wp.me/PDB7k-W#Ruth-Lapidoth "I would cherish your own opinion.." No, you'll hate it. It's based in fact, supported by the Jewish Virtual Library & www.jcpa.org & Hansard "who prevented Arabs west to the Jordan river to proclaim their state before 1967?" Israel was in control of Palestinian territories 1949/50. To the North, http://wp.me/PDB7k-Y#northern-border To the South, http://wp.me/PDB7k-Y#southern-border See British recognition http://wp.me/pDB7k-ki#defacto-dejure Egypt and Jordan both PROTECTED occupied Palestinian territories, Gaza & the West Bank (as it is NOW known) Jordan's LEGAL annexation was as a trustee http://wp.me/PDB7k-Y#Gaza-part-of-Egypt-West-Bank-part-of-Jordan Neither Egypt or Jordan were against or prevented Palestinian Sovereign Independence.

annexation of the territories Israel captured by 1949/50? It's been on my must have list for YEARS!!! Gimme gimme

Sir, You continue to refer to propaganda sites I would cherish your own opinion - please tell me who prevented Arabs west to the Jordan river to proclaim their state before 1967?

17: "Arabs of Judea and Samaria were not prevented by Israel to proclaim their state before 1967." The. pre-1967. Arabs. of. Judea. and. Samaria. As a piece of chutzpah that really does take some beating. Sunshine, those Arabs were - and still are - the "Arabs of the Arab state", and their ENTITLEMENT in 1967 was the same entitlement they had in 1948, which is the same entitlement that they still have today i.e. all the territory that was granted to them for their state by Resolution 181. And ISRAEL certainly was preventing them from declaring **THAT** state prior to 1967, because prior to 1967 Israel had annexed well over half of it.

If you wish to contest facts, be my guest.... http://wp.me/PDB7k-Y

an entity must have full control over all the territories they wish to declare as Sovereign. It is why the British Mandate had to end BEFORE either party could declare. The Jewish People's Council HAD to wait until the British Mandate ended. The East Timorese had to wait until Indonesia ended it's occupation. The Palestinians have ALWAYS been under someone else's rule or occupation. Under Plan Dalet, Jewish forces were already controlling territories slated for the Arabic State by May 14th 1948. There have been Israeli forces in control of territories slated for the new Arab State ever since.

Sir, Arabs of Judea and Samaria were not prevented by Israel to proclaim their state before 1967.

It is obvious Israel wants to change the conditions on ground before engaging in any meaningful peace process with the Palestinians. At the end of this rigmarole the Palestinians would have to make do with a fractured state.

Netenyahu always builds twice as much housing for Arabs as Jews. Some Arabs don't want even one Jew to live much less live on any property.Arabs have a million times more land than Jews.Let Jews settle the whole thing of that tiny,tiny tiny Israel.Quit pressuring Israel and U.S to give in to them.

Actually Robert Their was no Jewish religion when the biblical covenant was made. It was made to the 'SEED' of Jacob without any mention of religion. It may interrest you to know the seed of Jacob resides in most west bank Arabs that were forcibly converted during the many wars. Israelis on the other hand are 85% Ashkanazi Jews from eastern Europe who were part of the Khazar Empire who converted from paganism to Judiasm in the 6th century. They are not of the seed of Jacob and hence are not part of the biblical covenant. Suggested reading for you is "The Thirteenth Tribe"

http://wp.me/PDB7k-Y#the-big-lie "the arabs have never been willing to compromise" Twaddle, they've been the only party to offer compromise. They actually advocated the same as the Balfour declaration, the Mandate, the White Papers. http://wp.me/pDB7k-ki#democracy-equal-rights Israel has only ever offered a part of what it occupies, in order to keep what it has illegally acquired by war. It was the demand for a separate state that took away our right to live in all of Palestine. You're screaming at the wrong people.

Should we worry about the Tharks or Dusar? Will Helium survive? Will Gahan triumph over Tara's enemies? Anything to distract, right. The playbook was published. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1154654.html

the jews accepted partition. the arabs have never been willing to compromise.

It looks like that Israel don't want peace. Thats why the US and EU has to stop delivery waepons and support to and for Israel. Stop trade with Israel untill that country likes to have peace. Just do what Israel does with the Palestians.

http://tinyurl.com/y8ewves/sovereignty-state-non-state-entity/#Mandate

http://wp.me/pDB7k-jA There has NEVER been a time in history that the Palestinians could have had their own state. Since independence, Israel has made sure of it. Under Plan Dalet, BEFORE Israeli independence, the Jewish Agency prevented it. At the time Jewish People's Council declared Sovereign Independence on our behalves, the Palestinians could NOT, even if they'd wanted to.

According to archaeological evidence, Abdi-Heba was the king of Urusalim now Jerusalem, he was a puppet king of Egypt on the throne of Urusalim and ruled there in 1330 BC. Thus, the Egyptians controlled Jerusalem 260 years before King David was even born. Thus, give Jerusalem back to Mubarak the new Pharaoh.

THIS is Israel... http://wp.me/PDB7k-Y#the-big-lie We're talking about Israeli's ILLEGALLY building in Palestine.

After listening to Abbas yesterday it would be a waste of time. Till Hamas changes their stance on Israel and returns Gilad Shalit there is nothing to talk about.

...they would beg for a discussion with us, instead of rejecting us all the time. Because if you go on like that, we have every excuse to proceed as we do. After all, you can't freeze a country: even the Iranians have a right to do whatever they want, why punish us sane Israelis? On another hand, if you began the negociations, it would be silly from us to go on like that. So instead of babbling and sending people from Lewiston on Haaretz, just get to this discussion table. Try this, you'll thank me later. Though if you don't do that, fine, let's all wait for the next Republican president to crush your terrorists again because it looks like you'll never learn.

Actually, Jordan belonged to us too but we can't get all the Pals to leave on their own there too.

Wah wah! The PALS want to win the negotiations before they start. Ain't happening! We'll build, assuming they don't want peace. When an agreement is reached then and only then will the building be restricted. As the Arab PALS don't want to negotiate and don't want peace then build we will.

There cannot be anyone anywhere who still thinks that Abbas has any authority to stand behind any agreement that he makes. So what possible difference does it make whether he is will to negotiate, either directly or indirectly, with Israel??? Why is that fool Biden making such a big deal about nothing??

AND ASK THE E.U, U.N, AND U.S.A FOR PROTECTION

... Article 6 of the Mandate for Palestine "ART. 6. The Administration of Palestine, while ensuring that the rights and position of other sections of the population are not prejudiced, shall facilitate Jewish immigration under suitable conditions and shall encourage, in co-operation with the Jewish agency referred to in Article 4, close settlement by Jews on the land, including State lands and waste lands not required for public purposes." Then read article 80 of the United Nations Charter and try to understand that the Jewish people have by fiat of the UN acquired vested legal rights to settle in the West Bank. Parroting Arab rubbish about the "illegality of settlements in international law" indicates your abysmal knowledge of international law. I wonder how many of your advisors have ever read the Mandate and Article 80.

Because the Chorus de Gauche, for all its posturing, is not really into humanitarian concerns. Its target is ... well, you know.

... leader of the Pals. It is the Arab League, and Abbas (or his successor) is just their mutt. The League will never be satisfied with being "given" a Pal state. That is demeanin. It must be ripped from Israel in the same manner as they perceive that Israel took the Arab land. A pride thing. Only if the Pals finish what the Arab States started in 1948, will they accept free travel or migration of the Pals. Until then, they are pent up in camps as punishment for the shame. It looks to be, unfortunately, only decided by a rather large war, most likely at the direction of Iran. Israel will disappear if she loses. But if the Pals lose, they would be herded into Jordan, and the strife would be over for several decades.

Why should ANYONE engage in negotiations with Netayahu? If 1,600 units causes a crisis and 'apology', then the next the government of Israel announces another 50,000 units, who would be such a fool as to believe that Netanyahu will ever negotiate or allow a Palestinian state? Netanyahu cares only for himself and not a bit for anyone else in the world besides Sara.

Freddy, you correctly make the points that the outsiders fail to comprehend. For all they care, you can take a one-way swim in the Mediterranean. Sorry, it won't happen. The Palestinians have twenty-one other countries to inhabit, among their brethren.

Of course, in a way Biden scored more by staying and voicing his outrage. Indeed, I feel part of dealing with the misfits in Israel is taking them on. Thus, a good fight can make all the difference ... Indeed, I feel it gives Israelis something to latch onto also. They have been so brainwashed over the years and are victims too get- ting endless war when they desire peace and burying their child- ren all to secure the illegal enterprise and parasitic population in the Palestinian territories. Some pioneers, I daresay ready to pick Israeli and American pockets and live off Palestinian land. They need a good boot out! ( Israelis need to get beyond them too!) Dutch

Sully, wrong as usual. The ONLY way Jerusalem will be divided is if the Arabs go to war to reclaim it. They will then get smoked, as they have ALL other times. The Arab violence will result in MORE lost land. Jerusalem DOES NOT have to be shared, and WILL NOT be shared. Its that simple, regardless what you say or think. The Arabs had it in '67 and blew it. Their miscalculation will cost them, ONCE AGAIN.

"The Palestinian president decided he will not enter into those negotiations now ... the Palestinian side is not ready to negotiate under the present circumstances," Hmmmmm. The USA has already said that they will point the finger of blame at anyone who obstructs the peace negotiations. And the USA has also ALREADY condemned the Israeli govt for its construction announcement. I would suggest that really leaves the USA with no alternative but to point the finger of blame for the collapse of these talks on..... Israel. After all, it's pretty hard to publically condemn an Israeli announcement and THEN point the finger of blame at Abbas and say "but it's all his fault". A year of hard work by Mitchell, and all undone in a few minutes by Yishai. Way To Go, Shas!!!!!

"Who IS working in Israel`s favor?" You are asking the wrong question.. you should ask yourself "Why?"

Obama should augment Mitchell with James Baker, after a cooling off period of 6 to 12 months. Bring Biden and the Ambassador and Mitchell home. This Israeli government cannot be trusted. Especially on issues like Iran. Break off CIA contact too. 50,000 on top of yesterdays 1200, on top of the 112 the day before. Not one person in the current Israeli government has any personal honor or integrity. AND - Send Michael Oren to Israel. Cut off all contact for the whole cooling off period.

US is on the top of the terrorist list then israel but the satan now is the third.

It is absurd to say that jews should not build in jerusalem. stop apologising and state that jerusalem is israel. The eu jew killers are congenital now they seek to destroy jews indirectly. They chased the jews outof israel, slaughtered them for 2000 years and now are harassing jews in israel. They want the jews dead. Israel should strengthen its nuclear capacity and delivery systems, the time is nigh.

The Pals never had a real economy, so others controlled them by paying their leaders and kept the ball rolling, once it was Egypt-Lybia-Saudia Arabia, then it was Iraq and now it is Syria a proxie for Iran. So holding a machine gun and sitting on the top of the roof or hiding in a bunker and getting paid is not bad, since they got behind in education and profession, but became profosional murderer.

"AIPAC is one of thousands of lobbying groups in the US with no more power than any of the others." Sure, it's only one group out of many. But its incredible power cannot be challenged. The despicable, racist organization has dashed the hopes of people who had the temerity to seek a more balanced approach to the conflict, rather than the usual apologism that has been US policy for decades.

How long is the United States of America and administration after administration take this crap from a country that it is bank rolling? Is Mr. Obama also going to just bend over and hope Israleis are nice! This is sickening. AIPAC should be required to register as a foreigh agency. Mr. Obama, if this SLAP in the face does not awaken you, then I am sorry, I put my trust in the wrong person. Please wake up and stop the arrogance. Slap some sense into the Israelis. It is tru, Israelis don't want peace, they just want the land. They are a fraud. They must be stopped.

Most of the responses from bunch of leftist. Let me tell you something. When France will stop any sort of construction so as Israel will stop in Jerusalem. I am sure Haarets will never publish my comments as what they always do.

OK Yisroel. Lets do it your way. I believe we both can agree that China has never been anti-semetic, correct? So lets have them moderate the peace negotiations unevaded. Would that work for you or do you sense they too will be anti-semetic...I'm sure they'll learn to hate you just as everyone apparently does in no time at all. Jews are always looking outward instead of inward. It's everyone else but me mentality...does that sound like the lonely child syndrome to you too?

... per year, and a rape every 25 seconds. European Lefties yawn. Muslims three days ago wiped out hundreds of Christians in Nigeria, rounding them up in nets and hacking every man, women, and child to death with machettes. EU Lefties yawn. Blood, wholesale slaughter, and destruction are fine with Lefties. Burning 9000 cars in Paris in Nov 2005, and a repeat performance in 2007, yawn. But let someone build a home for a Jew in his own capital, the nutters come flying off the couch waving fists in the air, foaming at the mouth. Something tells me that humanity concerns are not part of their agenda. No matter how much they try to make us believe it is.

I really want to see a just 2 state solution and am trying to be impartial to the conflict. However, I have ssen many signs in the past to put most of the blame for the peace negotiations failing on Israel. This is the latest example of it. Israely leaders don't feel any pressure to compromise and no one in the western world dares to challenge them and put some pressure on them to achieve peace. Israely leaders can pull such an stunt on Biden because they could Because they have the obedient congress on their side due to the extremly powerfull lobby they have in the US. I say to both that if there is no strong willingness on both sides to negotiate a viable and just peace then Palestinians should give up and be part of Israel. Israel then will have to deal with a over 40% of unhappy poulation. I believe one state solution will be ultimately really bad for Israel because in 20 years Palestinians will be the majority. So, it is mostly upto Israelies to make peace. Mike

i guess we should be grateful that we are allowed to breathe let alone make our own decisions. Israel is 100% right.... do what you want because those who want you dead will complain regardless.

i am very confused... can you please link the article where Israel said it would stop building in Jerusalem??!?!? It does not exist becuase Israel never accepted that as a pre-req for talks... If the pals are upset that Israel is doing what it said it was going to do... well that is not Israel problems... and if the Arab league is stupid enough not to know this... then fine... THE PALS were never SERIOUS about talks...

since they murdered jesus they have not stopped steling killing and lying....there is only one way to deal with the jews

Netanyahu just gave the Iranians and Ahmadinijad a huge boost. He destroyed Israel's credibility completely by lying to Biden and then lying again and then acting surprised by Yishai's carefully planned and orchestrated approval and then lie about it. Ahmadinijad looks honest in comparison. Iran looks reliable in comparison. Your attempts to change the subject are also completely transparent. The Israeli government has Zero Credibility left. Too many lies, too often in too short a space of time. You guys make Spiro Agnew and Richard Nixon look honest, above board, and faithful!

Wa wa waaa! Always crying Cipora. Why does everyone blame the Jews for everything...boo hoo hoo!! Please, look at yourselves in the mirror then figure it out on your own. We can't always lead a horse to water, but dang, it's getting old. Why are you trying to deflect Israel's wrong doings by diverting attention to Somalia, etc? A wrong is a wrong is a wrong, Cipora. What's the big fuss about building in E Jerusalem anyway...it's all ours, right Cipora. Remember that statement I made about the horse? Well I don't know what you look like, but for crying out loud remove the blinders already!

How many times must Israel clearly show that it has no intent to negotiate a two-state solution before the world gets the message? Time to drop the issue and Israel. Israel has made itself quite clear and it is also clear there is no one who will apply the kind of pressure Sec. State Baker did. Time to just shut down all cooperation and financing of Israel, block arms shipments and close our embassy. Israel has nothing but contempt for the United States and we can't afford to suffer endless humiliation because Bibi and Avigdor get their jollies that way. We don't need to do anything but walk away from Israel. Leave it alone. Treat it as any other hostile third world country. Israel has made it clear we don't matter to it, and that it does not even owe us a fig-leaf of courtesy. If Israel doesn't owe us that we owe it nothing.

repremanding Esther like that! So you're saying if the Arabs were more like the Jews, they'd have a state by now? If that's true, then all the Arabs need is 1) 'THE' superpower in their corner no matter where we tell them to shove it 2) three billion in free military aid 3) lose our morality and disregard humanity 4) have a sense of entitlement and superiority over all races 5) constantly steal land and oppress the masses 6) disregard all intl laws 7)...8)...9)... I think you get my point. We'd rather die than degrade our morality as you losers have done. No thanks Cipora.

And the big winner is Iran. It seems Netanyahu is working hard to divert the Arab population in favor of Iran. Netanyahu is proving the viewpoint of Ahmadinejad that Israel not to be trusted. This is no way you treat friend, Israel.

Israel is building on their land- the so-called Palestinians (really Arabs) have never been given the land that Israel owns. God- the only God- the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob gave the land to the Jews. As a matter of fact, the Jewish people are the only people on the face of this earth who has been promised and given a particular piece of real estate. No other group has been given or promised land by God Himself. And furthermore, the Jews don't need Joe Biden, or Barack Hussein Obama telling them where and when they can build. The sooner the United States gets out of this so-called peace process the better- when the Prince of Peace (the Lord Jesus Christ) returns He will establish lasting peace. And I cannot wait....

How infatile from you that response, I'm state the same, who cares what eurodhimiarabia thinks !!!

"Since its establishment in 1948, Israel`s laeders make mockery of every peace overture" -Sami What peace overtures? You meant the Arab invasion of Israel in 1948 by Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Saudia, and Palestinian terrorists? Or the 1000 overtures of non-stop aggression over the past 60 years, wars, rockets, suicide bombings, terrorist attacks on Jewish women and children? The Arabs have tried every weapon in thier possession to destroy Israel, wars, terrorism, economic embargoes, and now they focus on diplomacy as weapon of war on the Jews.

Israel deserves all that's coming it's way. I hope my country doesn't lift a finger to help you. We get nothing, repeat NOTHING, from this relationship. The Jewish Lobby will lose it's power here soon enough. Because you'll just keep insulting the USA.

Peace anyway. Peace is not quotient to how much land is giving away. Peace starts in your heart, at home, in your family. For the last 20 years palestinians proved that they prefer violence and so-called martydrom to peace. If palestinians want peace they will start living like a good neigbours and not try tractors, drive-by shootings or homicidal actions to force Jewish people into submission... With actions like that Israel will completely isolate hostile(palestinian) entity from its citizens to keep them safe.

It was bad enough the every Israeli government has caved in to whatever Shas wants. Now it looks like the Arab governments are all lined up to react just the way Shas wants. I guess the people in the countries the Shas supporters come from didn't get any smarter when their Jews (who appear to be the only Jews in the world not credited with being smart since the days of the Rambam)decided/were persuaded/were forced (take your choice) to leave.

As always Cipora, your blind support of the Israeli project is your and many Israelis greatest weakness. If one can't find fault nor see the greater picture, you are doomed to fail. A great athelete will work tirelessly to make themself better, but will work extra tirelessly to expose their flaws and weaknesses so they may correct and strengthen them. Israel is doomed to fail if the like of you are its supporters. I can live with that.

What ever the out come of the Arab League meeting is, it will not make any difference, so can we say that, this news article is useless and just taking space bcz there is nothing else to write/publish

You people baffle me. No country on earth would divide it's own capital just because terrorists happen to include it in a list of demands that, to put it mildly, are impossible to implement and would by definition mean the destruction of the State (Read: Right of Return). Israel has every right to build in its own capital, as it sees fit - regardless of the timing. Netanyahu has made it crystal clear that Jerusalem is NOT on the negotiating table and is not held to the building freeze in any regard. And frankly - there's not an Israeli government, hawk, dove or centrist, that could move to divide Jerusalem. It's the cradle of the Jewish people and the eternal capital of the State, and cannot be negotiated away on behalf of a people that would never let it happen anyway. Discuss Samaria and Judea, and create a Palestinian State on the occupied territories. But be clear - Jerusalem is NOT part of this equation.

Hard to take Israel as a serious reasonably run nation.

It's been said time and time again, that the settlements in the occupied territories are ILLEGAL under int'l law. Can someone explain why the Int'l community, i.e. 'The Superpowers' have not enforced this blatant infraction of int'l law? The world does a lot of talking and only takes action when it suits their 'interests'. The US rallied int'l support to oust Saddam from Kuwait because Iraq illegally occupied it. The US is trying to drum up support to sanction Iran for not 'playing by the rules'. Why hasn't anyone put an armed force on the ground and forced these settler thugs (ie New Yorkers and Russians) out of the occupied territories? The leaders of today are only a fraction of the great leaders that once graced earth. Case in point, our articulate by spineless leader Obama. I would have loved to see the likes of Eisenhower and have Israel pull this bs on a VP. You'd have aircraft carriers and battalions docked next to Israel tomorrow!

This league is going to fade away when Israel conquers more land and Iran takes controll of all arabia.

RA: "If you believe Netanyahu, he also has a bridge in Brookly he would like to sell you at a very good price." Netanyahu is attempting to get out of his hole by doing an impersonation of this dude: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Banner And by doing so he is merely piling insult onto injury.

A Policy of appeasement of Arabs by acquesing to their maximalist demands has NEVER worked. It was the basis of the British policy, and resulted in diasaster. In essence,the Palestinians are asserting that they have an entitlement to the fruits of the '48 Jordanian ethnic cleansing of Jews from Jerusalem. Does VP Biden understand this bit of arrogance?

Jerusalem was not included in the freeze. All the yapping characters were well aware of this. So, What's the problem?

JN: "However, the resolution is vague about where the border between Israel and the Jordanian and Egyptian occupied portions of Palestine is." It makes NO mention of where any of the borders are. It merely insists that one of the principles for peace is that everyone (and that means EVERYONE, including Israel) acknowledges, recognizes and respects everyone else's borders. You appear to believe that this applies to everyone EXCEPT Israel. JN: "Actually, no border between Israel and the Palestinian Territories has ever been established" It is detailed in the Partition Plan, and the provisional govt of Israel acknowledged that fact when it formally asked for USA recognition. JN: " All there is to go by is an obsolete armistice line known as "the Green Line" which is subject to adjustments." Untrue: the Partition Lines of 1947 are the legal borders of Israel. JN: "It makes a lot more sense today to use the path of the security barrier" Why, exactly?

if history is an indication of the future, the 'world' is not known for saving Jews before or after Israel. Nice try though. Popularity is fine for dead people. Unpopular for live Jews is a blessing.

This impotent babbling by Biden, Miliband et al. just rolls off the Israeli government like from a duck's back. Unless they can bring on bigger guns than their tongue wagging,they can spare themselves the time and the humiliation. Disgusted

ad please don't come back.

and never will be. Israel can pave the suckers over for all any one cares. The pals 'welcome cards of terror' have finally nailed their coffins shut. screw you and your philistines.

America is very impatient w/ talentless blow hards. This time, a real 'Change' is in store, enough w/ experimenting w/ a muslim from chicago. Then he's free to attend Louis Farrakhan's mosque.

People who are mass murderers should never be let out of prison. They have already crossed the line of no return. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and was never predominantly a Muslim city. The Muslims have never stopped attacking Jews ever since the Muslims first showed up in the area in the year 650. Jordan is Palestine.

America has enboldened israel through our unconditional support. This is time to change that lousy policy. Let israel fend for itself. It is high time that Egypt and Jordan cancel their treaty and join their brethren.

against construction-huge mistake- in very general terms it seems almost all over the globe seems to be alienation with many politicians who do wrong by not knowing better, by being mediocre or by not having full picture about eventual upcoming. Same happens with advisors who pull on purpose in dividing directions. Construction in this time is very unwise- might bring more trouble and I think work s in direction of dissolution by saying harms Israel. Parallel in Afghanistan a war which might produce more extremists because president there went in with fraud and additional some cheap blond colored kryptoimplant populists who thought it was be wise to ditch Holland with Antikoran hate propaganda which will make the whole problem bigger-and who (by getting crown of dumpness) were even published?? on kibbuz fotos and make some speeches in front of some orthodox fanatics. You might not see it but I smell full scale be trait from many directions. The fire will be on more than ever.

Israel does not need this action now. Why has Netanyahu reversed or ortherwise put this statement into a holding pattern? The Interior Minister has done Isreal great harm for no reason, other than supporting a selfish ideology.

Biden and Milliband represent two of the world's most powerful countries. Both claim to be angry with Israel's flouting of international law, and both intend to do NOTHING about it. Why not impose sanctions on Israel and prove to the world they are serious. How hypocritical.

What has the abhorrent violence which occured in Nigeria got to do with the announcement yesterday during Joe Biden's visit, of 1600 dwellings in East Jerusalem?

Milliband and the EU as well as USa have no right to decide Israel's borders or planning issues. No agreemnt was signed by Israel to freeze new homes in Jerusalem, and never will be.

Building Israel(whole) is making it stronger and ensures that for palestinians to delude themsleves into believing that Israel is there temporarely and that somehow they will trick Israel into giving up part of small as it is Israel to palestinian entity is futile. I believe that only handfull of really pro-Israel palestinians will remain in Israel but majority will emigrate and go to miriad of arab speaking countries. And that is a real solution that will bring PEACE.

Why don't you call for Israel to stop being a beggar and stand on her two feet? Or, better, call for the U.S. to stop handing billions of greenbacks to Israel? Now, that would show your own courage and convictions instead of the inane comments you make.

This badly timed and rude decision not only strengthens Israel's detractors but more importnatly alienates life-long supporters such as myself. I am a Jewish fundraiser who has raised millions of dollars for Israel over a 25 year career as well as my personal contributions which include 16 years living in Israel, children who served in the IDF, and substantial funds. As an American Israeli, I am sickened and embarrassed and no longer feel able to make the case for Israel as it is under Netanyahu's leadership. All I can say is shalom and lehitraot when you elect a government we all deserve and not one that is taking Israel and all Jews down a destructive path away from any chance of peace. I won't be along for the ride this time.

Israel is alienating her friends here in the USA by this type of action. Even friends, such as myself, are questioning whether Israel wants a solution.

If you believe Netanyahu, he also has a bridge in Brookly he would like to sell you at a very good price.

Hamas wants it all ,and will get it all after your USA anministration forces Israel to withdraw from the Weat Bank .Them your next step ,Biden will be to tell Israel ,be careful how you deal with your enemy ,as rockets fall on Tel-Aviv .Go back to the USA and sort out yor mess in Afganistan,and Iraq,your high employment rate and millions of homeless that lie on the pavements of all your major cities .Off course we all understand you must back the Arabs because USa needs oiland more oil .

for once in your life, stop whining. if the arabs were like the jews, they would already have a state. best regards, cipora

The Israel detractors do not need this building project to strenght them.They are the left wing freaks,moslem brownosers mixed with professional antisemites,the same usual suspects. I agree with Biden.The 'pals' need a viable state...BUT ACROSS THE RIVER,ON THE TERRITORIES ROBBED FROM THE JEWISH PEOPLE BY THE brits IN 1923,IN ORDER TO APPEASE THE saudis AND HAVE THEIR OIL...IF BIDEN WANTS A 'pal' state,JORDAN HAS PLENTY OF EMPTY SPACE

Why is it so difficult for Israel to build inside their own borders? There is plenty of open land inside of Israel's border. Why does Israel insist on building on PALESTINIAN LANDS? The Palestinians barely have enough land as it is for a viable state, but Israel keeps taking more and more.

there are many who work tirelessly for israel, including in her government, her armed forces, her intelligence services, and above all, her people. it is not new that the jewish state has to rely on herself. never dispair, and never think that israel cannot defend herself.

They ignore horrific violence against many hundreds of innocent christian women and children, and pontificate about housing in Israel. Says volumes about them, their motives, ambitions, and blindness to world oppinion. And why Israel, rightfully so, does what it does.

"We were genuinely surprised, just as surprised as the Americans". How can anyone negociate with a government who has no control over what is going on in its own administration?

Bibi works against Israel's interests by undermining with construction the delicate momentum of indirect Israeli - PA dialogue. The EU works against Israel's interests by adopting an anti-Semitic, delegitimizing, deeply biased and flawed document. Iran works tierlessly towards its goal of destroying Israel, helped by its terrorist proxies bordering Israel. Who IS working in Israel's favor?

well said. the more they wait, the worse it is for them. shalom and best regards, cipora

the obsession with what israel does at any one moment is really not healthy and certainly not helpful. there are many infinitely worse problems in the world, such as the congo, somalia, etc.... the more israel is put at center stage, the more the radicals are emboldened. europe had paid a terrible price in the past for its jew obsession and should have learned its lesson.

You obviously do. Otherwise you wouldn't have bothered posting

I love how the US/ Jordan/EU condemn, but the settlements are built anyways. No action is taken to stop the decision. Just people come out and 'condemn' it. Anyways I'm just tired of all this. This will be the last remark I make I hope that Haaretz posts it and that someone important will read it. Goodbye, this conflict is causing my brain to break down.

Let's stop kidding ourselves. Even if there was no East Jerusalem construction America under Obama, the EU and all the other Israeli haters would have found some other item to blame Israel for. The problem is two fold. First, Israel has no commodities to offer the world. The Arabs do; oil. Secondly, the world, as has been proven throughout the centuries, loves to hate the Jew.

Chances that you have more than an a paramecium brains understanding about Israel, its people, its legacy, its history, it's culture? As good a chance as one like you has of playing linebacker for the New York Giants. Stooge, they play football.

I was born in Israel before it became a state, supported and admired it all my life. The decision to continue the construction of the settlements while ignoring world opinion, seems to belong to Ahmedinejad not to Israel. The timing of this decision might have cost Israel a lot more damage than anything else that it has ever done. Arrogance is not a virtue! Biden is/was one of the few politicians that support Israel despite all the foolish declarations by Avigdor Liberman and company. This decision is going to pull the carpet under many of Israel?s supporters. Unless Israel cancel it and apologizes to Biden, many of us will have to think again before/if we will continue to support it.

"Contiguous" means "touching, in direct contact at one (1) point". Not "Continuous". The PA state can never be "contiguous" because 34 miles of Israeli soil separates "W. Bank" from Gaza. So it matters not if W. Bank is "contiguous" or not, PA residents STILL have to cross Israeli lines to get to the other parts, and so what - USA is not "contiguous", have to cross Canada to get to Alaska, and USA is not "non-viable" as a result! PLUS - people whining about "contiguity and "tunnels" need to look at a map - even with Israel holding the Ariel/Latrun/Adumim/E1 corridor/Etzion zones (and they WILL), the PA state on the W. Bank is still 14 miles at its narrowest, while Israel is only 9 miles wide at its narrowest, between Tulkarem and Qalqiliya. So claim the resulting PA state would be non-viable is pure crap, its still wider than Israel. No "international law" can force Israel to allow PA residents to cross its soil to Gaza - PA Arabs need to negotiate for that. The price is peace.

Biden must be getting too old.

by your criterions- Chech Republic is embedded like a dagger into the German side and they have to drive extra miles if the want to stay in Germany. Expect you to demand "return of Böhmen to Germany" ,eh ?

going to be 10,000 000 and then 20,000 000 They don't have to care about new apartments. Peace now means they will have their right of a country and peace with a Jewish neighbor, no peace now means they will have to wait for another thing.

Every time an official of the Obama administration has showed up there has been a blatant affront by the Netanyahu gang. There is never any consequence except some bland statement deploring Netanyahu's shucking and jiving on peace. The problem isn't with Israel's leaders. It is the lack of leadership in America.

As an active member of the Israel supporting, American Jewish community I can tell you that all that nonsense about AIPAC ruling the US government is just that, nonsense. AIPAC is one of thousands of lobbying groups in the US with no more power than any of the others. AIPAC has lots of supporters in the US both Jewish and non-Jewish and is generally a great and well organized non-profit organization. Nothing wrong with it at all. Do your research instead of parroting what you read on anti-Israel propaganda sites!

Israel can stop the pretense. It does not want peace. The insult to my Vice President was the last straw for me. Then they announced that the Israeli government insulted him because Obama shoudl have come. Obama will never go to Israel and subject himself to such insults and hijinks. Time to stop the American money that is propping up these wingnuts and embargo Israel. We'll see who will keep her on benefits.

It gets even better, Yosemite... I am from Kazakhstan and even I got o know this term in last few days. Although international politics is my fav. subject and I am a international news junky.. but I never ventured into Israeli news since it seemed to far away and there are other interesting international political news subjects... but these days the foreign policy actions that Israel is taking trumps everything other... No offence but please do not take my last sentence positively...

Hello, Joe Biden! According to a Haaretz article in September written by Aluf Benn, Netanyahu is in accord with a position paper published by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs to the effect that Israel must keep Area "C" in any peace agreement. Since Area "C" is 60% of the West Bank and since the settlements, nature reserves, settler-only roads, blockades and checkpoints turn the rest of the West Bank into a series of isolated ghettoes, it is clear that any resulting Palestinian "state" would not be a viable state with territitorial contiguity, but would be in the words of Colin Powell "a phony state that's dicied into a thousand different pieces." So, its time for the US to denounce Netanyahu's gratuitous insult to Biden, call Mitchell home and prepare to announce recognition of a Palestinian state within the pre-67 boundaries as the EU is prepared to do, and follow that up with cessation of military aid and the imposition of economic sanctions.

That's really all it would take, isn't it. Plus al those dollars that won't be coming into the tax havens.

... Mr. Obama - too bad you cannot really do anything about Israel.

I was just dreaming about visiting Egypt. Haven't been there yet but it was a great dream. It was an Egypt that was really well put together. Nice roads. Nice Hotels. A really great place for Americans to visit. A nice dream.

This latest announcement, both in timing and substance, demonstrates that important elements in Israel delight in thumbing their noses at the rest of world, the Palestinians, and even the U.S. Are you proud of this?

Maybe it felt good for some Israelis to show some Chutzpah. Even Al-Jazeera knows that word now. But I'm sitting over here, trying to figure out how we can get Obama re-elected for the sake of keeping both the USA and Israel still existant and viable. Obama representing the Democrats gets the Popular Vote. Don't you people realize what that means? There are always more Democrats than Republicans. The Republicans always have to work twice as hard as the the Democrats do to get elected. Now if Israeli Policy is not supporting the re-election of Obama, we may find ourselves in a toss up for the the 2012 Elections. It is very likely that Obama will re-run for President. If he comes back, he may be a little less leniant with Israel than he is now but he in no way would endanger Israel like a big Anti-Semite would. Don't you people realize what the Jew Haters are waiting for? They're waiting for the country to come totally apart so their idealogue can have a chance to get in the White House.

Get over the zionist cant and see the whole picture. It is Israel that is doing the stealing of land and moving in a foreign population. We are not talking about "The Land of Israel" here but "The State of Israel". We are not tlaking about "Jerusalem, the Eternal Capitla of the Jewish People". We are talking about political reality. Jerusalem has to be shared or it has no future. It's that simple.

You continue posting your gibberish here for eternity but that does not change the world opinion. I read through the first line and realize that there is nothing else to read further, I already know. Come on, be a little creative, give me some sensible reason for whay israel do what is does. Stop blaming Hamas for every dirty thing Israel does. The world has awaken and Israel as we know it now has it's days numbered.

We will back you as the whole World will do. After all you were given 45% of Palestine in 1947, So What are you waiting?

The rest of the world is not laughing. Arrogance and hypocracy blind the idiots who think no one is taking note of conduct that the entire world community finds reprehensible. It's not small potatoes. Israel has really lost all respect and credibility. Open your eyes and admit what the world is telling you and your ilk.

It's called "UNSCR 242" and it was passed under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter (which makes it enforceable with UN troops). However, the resolution is vague about where the border between Israel and the Jordanian and Egyptian occupied portions of Palestine is. Hence, that has been a bone of contention ever since. Egypt and Jordan renounced their claims in favor of the PLO with their peace agreements with Israel. Actually, no border between Israel and the Palestinian Territories has ever been established. All there is to go by is an obsolete armistice line known as "the Green Line" which is subject to adjustments. It makes a lot more sense today to use the path of the security barrier as the de facto border between Israel and the Islamic Republic of Palestine. The PLO sure isn't doing very well: Abbas lost the Gaza Strip (Hamastan) to Hamas and will have to settle for less than the Green Line in the West Bank if he really wants peace. The PLO will have to settle for the security barr

Yishai is a Very Senior Cabinet Minister in this Likud-led government, and he must have know exactly what he was doing, and if he *didn`t* then Bibi needs to sack him.

Wishful thinking, doctor. Surely even a diehard like yourself realises that without a viable contiguous State of Palestine, alongside Israel, with a shared capital in Jerusalem, Israel simple has no future and will become increasingly isolated from the family of nations. As for a palestinian capital in Abu Dis, the colonists will steal that as well as Silwan and Sheik Jarrah. Then where?

"Israel apologized for embarrassing Biden with the timing of its announcement, but made clear it has no intention of reversing its plan". Hartis says -------- So once again israel is defying the International Community and its ONLY friend stupid America!

No, Absolute Sweden, he is not referring to the corridor to Gaza. He is talking about a contiguous West Bank. Either Israel has E J'sem, Ma'ale Adumim and the EI corridor through to Mitzpe Jeriho - the original Alon plan - and Palestine is split into two islands, with a road tunnel between them. (The Zio plan). In which case, Palestine is not contiguous, unless you drive fron Ramallah to Bethlehem via Jericho. Or Israel doesn't have E J'sem, Ma'ale etc, and there is a contiguous Palestine. Guess which one the US supports and wants to see? As a principal Zio poster, I'd have thought you'd be more up to date on things.

I am sure this action will have consequences but not nearly as serious as is deserved by my beloved Jewish State. jane says ----------- Dear jane.I love to read all your posts and admire your lojects,but please know that you Americans have no power to face AIPAC+zionist Congressmen who dictate your Foreign Policy and Economy.

So now you want the UN to intervene. In the past, when the Arabs were under the delusion that they can push the Jews to the sea, they wouldn't dream of letting the UN involved. No can do this time, buddy.

Netanyahu said he had been blindsided by the project's announcement by the Interior Ministry, run by Shas, an ultra-Orthodox, nationalist party that is a key member of his governing coalition. ------ That means Shas has the right to act as it likes without PM consentment?

The Israel's Leaders do not want peace, they want conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians. The goverment of USA must know it. On the other hand the leaders of Palestinians and Israelis must understand that the World in this Century is too small and must do efforts to avoid conflicts and deaths between the two people. They must change their narrow view of this zeitgeist.

Joe Biden well aware of Israel's legacy, as well as insidious ambitions of the sworn enemy. When he speaks of unshakable relations between US and Israel, take it to the bank, much to the dismay of those here with meritless belching, and that stooge here merely to validate Israel's free press.

The U.S. is quite used to being humiliated Obama stuck out his hand in friendship to the Arab world, in turn they thumbed their noses at him, rejecting his requests for cooperation Additionally, North Korea rejected his overtures and did Iran Obama's bowing to the Saudi King only resulted in laughter from the rest of the world, Obama demeaned himself and the U.S. with his endless apologies. What did or didn't happen to Biden, is small potatoes by comparison, Biden is merely a foil sent to divert attention from Obama's problems with Healthcare, Unemployment and the Economy

If Biden takes no action against Israel over this, then to the eyes of huge numbers of people in the Middle East it will indicate that Iran is right. It will persuade a lot of them that America is not capable of freeing the Pals from Israel's grip ever and it will persuade a lot them that only a nuclear Iran, with a strong Hamas and Hezbollah has any hope of doing that.

is not apartments, but Hamas, rejectionist Arabs and the shape of air-tight security arrangements that are credible to Israel. Everybody knows the final border will be some minor modification of "Clinton" Plan; Ariel/Latrun/Adumim/Etzion blocs of Jewish towns in Israel, some land trade, Jerusalem will be Israeli capital, PA gets Abu Dis. All Arab refugees to PA state only, all Jewish refugees to Israel only(where they reside now), compensation to Arabs and Jewish refugees equally, PA state strictly demilitarized. Arabs control Temple Mount surface, Jews control land beneath and Wall. Arab State and Jewish State mutually recognize one another w. peace treaty. #1 OBSTACLE is removing rejectionist Hamas from Gaza - who reject ever recognizing Israel. Just as Germany had to be forcibly deNazified before independence was restored in 1953, or no deal. For security in smaller ill-defended borders, Israel will demand a credible, multi-Trillion dollar air-missile defense. Not paper promises.

Bibi is all yours! He was a disaster the first time around! Elections anyone?

"Israel apologized for embarrassing Biden with the timing of its announcement, but made clear it has no intention of reversing its plan" Biden is VP of a country that give Israel 3 billion dollars a year and protects it from world opinion by endless use of its UNSC veto, yet he allows Bibi's government to spit in his face and get away with it. I've lost all respect for Obama and his government. It will clearly be up to the EU, if it can ever get its act together, to bring peace to the Middle East, because the USA isn't capable of it.

corridor" WB-Gaza ,similiar to the one Hitler demanded from Poland in 1939 between Das Reich and East Preussia. Upright and Rightful Biden supports dismembering Israel which doesn't "deserve a contigious territory" somehow.

Read carefully Henry Ford's series "The International Jew". It is as current as it could be. Still available, one must order it and prepay. No presence on the bookshelves is allowed.

forget the embarassment the of U.S the P.A looks bad infront of their own people and hamas is probably laughing at them too can you wonder why abass doen't want direct talks

Sorry, Jeff, but history is against you. Israel as it currently exists is no longer sustainable. It is building itself into a petty ghetto, an ethnocracy where measures will have to become more and more draconian to prop themselves up. The international community is fed up with their lies, hypocracy and arrogance. If Israel wishes to survive it will have to adapt and enter into an amiable relationship with Palestine or else it will be nothing more than a replay of South Africa.

So much for Fayyad's yank supported "white" intifada. By the time any results are realized there won't be an arab left in East Jerusalem and the settlements will have expanded five fold.

When Shas didn't vote his budget, Sharon threw them out. Netanyahu should do the same.

I always supported Israel, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain any defence strategy, when this govenment acts irresponsibly by building new settelments and annoucing them exactly when the peace process is being restarted. The Israeli people should do better in the next elections.

You are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, the truth bothers some people, but I agree with you 100%.

These people in the PA don,t seem to have any pride or dignity.They should leave office and go to hell. The palestinian people and history will judege them very harshly to say the least.It,s time to leave and let the defacto one state for all as soon as possible.

It took time for you to understand what we have been saying loud and clear all the time. Jerusalem was our capital for thousand years, is now the capital of the State of Israel and will remain united ! No part of the town EVER was part of a Palestinian state in the past and will not be in the future. About timing : ask yourself how come the PA authorized a start of an "intifada" just now that she is supposed to talk Peace with us .....Ask yourself what the Palestinians want to offer Israel to have Peace...They already come insisting in getting half our capital, our most sacred religious place, borders at the armistice line 1949...what do they give ? a promise not to fight for the rest of what they still see as their Land ? Tel-Aviv, Haifa,my house maybe.....

Well, the PLO has lost control of Hamastan in the Gaza Strip to Hamas and over the Israeli settlements in the seam-zone area. Perhaps Fayyad should renew peace negotiations soon before the Islamic Republic of Palestine shrinks down to the size of San Marino. Holding out for the 1949 armistice line is a fool's goal which will never happen.

The minute Israel so rudely announced the additional building in Jerusalem Biden should have gotten back on his plane and left. As an American I am insulted and horrified by the blatent insult to the US and as an Israeli I am appalled to be under the leadership of Netanyahu and his band of misfits. I am sure this action will have consequences but not nearly as serious as is deserved by my beloved Jewish State. I am disgusted as are many other committed Zionists worldwide and especially in the US which is Israel's ONLY friend left!

Come on...think... Israel knows how to make peace and has done so with Jordan and Egypt. You can't say that Israel is not open to this as they have demonstrated they can. What have the Pals done? nothing...they can't even have peace amongst themselves..

When are the PA leaders going to wake up from their dream. Do they really think by keep repeating the word peace that is going to make happen. I think its about time to dissolve and integrate.

Re your dying Libyan airplane bomber. In case you didn't notice, he is living healthy and sassy in Libya. (sounds sort of like Chile's Pinochet). Fayad, incidentally, is one of the Arabs who has declared that all land held by the PA must be Judenrein. Apartheid, anyone?

To all who believe Israel is not to build in Jerusalem or the West Bank- know this, the land belongs to God- the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob and it does not and will never belong to the Arabs! You Arabs think you have resources- you had better read the Word of God which tells of your demise at the Hand of the true God. As for the United States and our pressing the Jews to give up the land that God gave to them, we are going down and it doesn't appear to be too long in coming. There will never be peace in Israel or this world for that matter until the Prince of Peace returns- hopefully soon!!

sure got the Pals back to negotiations. That would be a good thing.

unable to influence Israel as AIPAC rules the American Congress!

# 1 Michael. "In that photo,has Biden got a gun in Fayyed's back"? No. He just swallowed two frogs ! By the way nothing will come out of these peace overtures. It will take between 100/150 years. And what about Gaza ? Come,on! You just can't close your eyes & say Gaza doesn't exist. I can never understand stupid people !

This Fyou to everyone stems from Obama visiting Egypt but not Israel. Did not the Haaretz editorial staff urge Obama to come? This result is from Obama's leadership from a distance. This is why he has not gotten Healthcare or anything else done. He is not willing to get his hands dirty.

Either netanyahu and his cronies are lying or the government is in such choas they could never arrive at a consensus for entering into negotiations. Clearly, the government knew and cannot pretend one hand doesnt know what the other is doing. The timing was meant to be a slap in the face to Biden. What Israel is saying by this is that EJerusalem belongs to Israel and the Jews and not the Palestinians. They are succeeding in judaising the city, making the Arab prsence there a museum piece so they can trot out their usual propganda on how much of an open democracy they are. But this move was well planned and most intentional. The too late apologies make a mockery of their sincerity.

We in the UK like to think we're special friends with the US. We've been through a lot together. But we would never, NEVER, get away with humiliating the US VP like this. France and Germany, as old allies, helped the US invade Afghanistan, but the moment they expressed reservations about the idiots mission into Iraq, France and Germany instantly felt the full weight of public US wrath. Same with us, when we let the dying Libyan bomber go back to Libya to die. But Israel just does what it wants, whatever it wants, and Biden and the US just grin. The power of the Jewish and pro-Israel lobby in America is truly amazing.

Just declare peace, their state and their borders. Ask for the UN to come protect them.

What "Peace proess". ? Good for Yishai

Since its establishment in 1948, Israel's laeders make mockery of every peace overture and did not even voiced their ultimate claims. They make fact on the ground. Those Arabs who are friend of Israel because they want to obey America, their benefactors and protectors are naked and desperate. They lick affronts and humiliations continuosly. But, be sure, everybody, Arabs and Muslims did not say their last word neither they are resourceless.

"a senior Israeli official said. 'We were genuinely surprised, just as surprised as the Americans.' " !!!!!!!! That is just the most astonishing chutzpah! Yishai actually **IS** a "senior Israeli official". Yishai undoubtably **IS** a Much, Much, Much More Senior Israeli Official than the dude who is attempting this pathetic Sgt. Shultz routine. Yishai is a Very Senior Cabinet Minister in this Likud-led government, and he must have know exactly what he was doing, and if he *didn't* then Bibi needs to sack him. Harry Truman understood the concept of "the buck stops here". Netanyahu? No, not so much. Yishai? Who? What? Me? This "senior Israelis official"? I seeeee nothing. I knooooow nothinnnnnng. Worse. Than. Pathetic.

If Netanyahu said he was so blindsided by Yeshai then he should have no problem firing him! Netanyahu either has no control of his Interior ministry (or Foreign ministry either, as judged by the recent Turkish affair) and, as a consequence should dissolve his government. Or he is playing a dangerous and stupid game of partisan politics in order to advance a right-wing settlement agenda at the expense of American relations. In that case, he should also dissolve the government. The power to govern the state shouldn't be used as the power to destroy it as well. Never thought I'd say it but - even Olmert was better than this! God help this country - the people who pay the taxes and serve in the army deserve far better.

Now that's a picture that tells a story! Biden is smiling through gritted teeth and Fayyad looks resigned to shaking the hand of Israel's useful idiot. What a farce! If Biden's just going to bend over every time Israel wants to shaft him, at least he could just go home and not waste Fayyad's time.