Netanyahu to settlers: Keep low profile as building freeze expires

It is a question of substance and Israel's position is clear. 1. netanyahu has never been and is not interested in a two state solution. He has been evasive in his language;those of his coalition have not. They have openly expressed their opposition to the formation of a Palestinian state.. 2. The "freeze" Israel claims to have been in effect for 10 months was never total and building has gone on during this period, as Peace Now has proven. 3. The majority of Israelis have become complacent with the status quo as more of them move into the occupied territories. 4. The colonists have already defied netanyahu's public call for restraint. Resumption in Revava andMK Danon prove that along with the colonists defying Obama and once again publically ridiculing and embarrassing the US. 5.Israel has proven it desires land over peace and is not serious about the formation of a Palestinian state. Perhaps autonomous urban centers surrounded by for Jews only colonies, but no independence. 6. Let Palestine declare independence within the borders June 6, 1967. Accept the fact that nothing but an economic boycott will work to bring Israel to its senses. It stands now where apartheid South Africa satood, defiant and scoffing of international opinion. It must be treated as the pariah it has become. Israel has proven that a two state solution is no longer possible. A one state solution is the only viale otion as zionism has become more and more an apartheid movement .l

This issue is particularly revealing of elements in Netanyahu's personality. First, a basic principle. If you are discussing with another side sharing the land (or a pizza), it cannot be done while one party keeps devouring the land (or the pizza). Some form of a freeze is obviously a necessary condition for peace talks. If this thought did not occur to netanyahu on his own, he could have gotten a clue from the fact that the Roadmap included a freeze in the FIRST phase. This is basic. What decision did the Netanyahu government take? 1. The freeze applies to outside the current line of buildings, not to building WITHIN the currently built area. 2. The freeze will last for only 10 months. 3. The freeze will not be renewed. What do these elements indicate? The first element shows that Netanyahu has some sense of realism, and understands that a territorial exchange is acceptable to the Palestinians, so he takes advantage of it. The two other points are clearly unreal. Was it conceivable that the talks will be concluded in only 10 months? Would the Palestinians even conceive of talking peace with no freezing? I think Netanyahu has enough realism to realize that, but since he was dealing with his right wing partners Lieberman and most of Likud members, he decided to deceive them for now, present a nicer picture, and when the time comes he would try to wriggle out of it. All this shows Netanyahu as a creature of pressure; when pressured he acts, many times deceptively. Ultimately, he is not a courageous leader. He did not fight out the good fight then. Now he will pay some extra political cost for cheating his followers.

When one looks back, it is clearly seen that the greater the "friendship" of a US President to Israel (meaning that he applies less pressure on Israel to pursue peace), the less is accomplished. Our greatest "friends" were Clinton and G. Dubya Bush. Clinton did everything Barak asked him to do, including in Camp David. The result: no peace, only Intifada II. Dubya Bush came up with the Roadmap, a plan but no pressure on Israel. Nothing useful resulted. Looking back at the "bad" presidents, Nixon helped Israel with military equipment in Yom Kippur, but then prevented Israel from vanquishing the Egyptian Third Army. He preserved Egypt's honor, and peace became possible. Carter was even insulting in his pressure on Begin. But he ended up god-fathering the Peace Agreement with Sadat. Papa Bush was publicly pushing Shamir, even causing his regime to fall, This resulted in the Madrid Conference which led to Oslo. Obama seems to be made of different stuff. He aspires to do what is "right", more than what political considerations dictate, as he did with healthcare. If the Likud brings upon us an imposed international solution, so be it. The cure will be better than the continuation of the present diseased situation.

Are celebrating the end of the Settlement Chill.

It was in fact disicipline of the sort that Netanyahu desires that has allowed Israel to successfully thwart peace for decades. On had to consult the dissident press to learn details of the meager "pieces" and terms offered to Palestinians in past talks. But these talks clearly are not to be a booster to the "Palestinian never miss an opportunity ..." myth that the "low profile" has helped to foster. Israel land robbing Settler Enterprise is actively celebrating every obstruction they can construct, and in the eyes of the world they are clearly the problem, no so much in that the oppose the current government, rather that they appear to BE the government! So this is the game changer, if there is to be no peace there won;'t be the normal blame game --- it is now too obvious to the world where the problem settles.

It is typical for the PM to ask for low profile while he support the further land theft. He has never admitted that the Jews are stealing the land from the Palestians. He has made each effort with his double speach to hide his real aim: the total control of the palestinian territorries already occupied.

Build without fanfair

maybe more funders too thank bibi

The US position has been conssitent , but pres BushII didn't push it during his eight years in office.

from the Israeli foreign policy approach, which is consistent with the U.S. policy (see UNSCR 242 and 338), the capture of the lands in the West Bank during 1967 (and I was in a bomb shelter in Ramat Gan as a child at the time of the Six Days War unlike some of these settlers) was intended to exchange back for recognition and acceptance of Israel. All the unnecessary procrastination, such as continuing WB construction, is inconsistent with the Israeli Government's initial intentions and overall security - Middle East and U.S. security. It's really not as complicated as one thinks.

Don't be smug and do the I told you we were going to take it all and the Pals can go soak their heads - Don't gloat just be happy and take all they have..............

addicted I guess. ... When the authority has no authority it's in deep sh*te. Of course he is talking complete bullsh*te

"...The moratorium on Israeli construction in West Bank settlements, declared by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November, was set to expire at midnight on Sunday. In the settlement of Revava, the countdown was set to begin Sunday afternoon: Thousands were expected to attend a rally with tractors, cement mixers and other equipment to broadcast to the world that construction in the territories was resuming..."

as reported by Reuters but an hour ago. Nothing startling as far too much is at stake for this not to happen. Palestinians should look upon new construction as a positive development. All enhancements for their soon to be created state are to be welcomed.

Bibi smells a rat. Americans do have the habbit of rallying behind their President is the Presidency is provoked or humiliated. If Obama would have low slamming GOP-spinners as advisors, they would propably advise him to stage fself-orchestrated ake settler provocations ridiculing him with midterm elections in mind. Big question is: will the so self-rightous Israeli radical right that see themselves performing a holy task have the self-control not to boast, ridicule Obama and set up a victory party? Is there still any realisation of an outside world amongst those that hold Israel ihostage?

Then stop settlement forever and offer honest compensation for what has been stolen and are not able to give back.. It is as simple as that in a civilized world.

Israel has a way, it just doesn't have the will.

thank you great seeker of peace netanyahu, for making such difficult decisions in this time of hope...what a monster you are bibi, g-d has a special place in hell for you.