Israel okays four new Jewish residences in East Jerusalem

I't kind of you to reply to my post but alas I can't repeat your mantra. Jerusalem is not recognised as the capital of Israel by any country in the world except for Israel and the odd Pacific island, and is internationally considered to be a final status issue which should be solved by (hopefully impending) negotiations. Your comparison with Washington is a bit silly, since it isn't a disputed city, which Jerusalem quite obviously is. You offer no comment on my post which is that it is either brazenly hypocritical or woefully ignorant for the previous poster to shriek 'racism' at restrictions on Jews building in East Jerusalem while there are institutional barriers to prevent Palestinians from building there.

When Israel violates int'l law by building in East Jerusalem Obama officials should move to reduce Israel's financial and military aid. Enough wimpy respones from the Obama Camp that Israel's actions are "a blow to negotiations." When a young adult violates house rules or the law responsible parents move to withhold pri- vilages & local officials charge them accord- ly. Thus there is a clear and direct messages sent such behavior is unacceptable and must end. It shouldn't be any different when states step out of line and break house rules or violate the law. Of course, the hypocrisy there the Israelis and the Obama camp appear to be almost excusing one another behavior yet they both team up against Iran when it refuses to comply with conditions. Such inconsistancies erode public confidence and result in a loss of their credibility. (So they will pay and be repimanded in another way.) Dutch

Get this through your head, sir, do we divide the capitol of the US as East Washington DC and West Washington DC? It is plain Washington DC. The same goes here with Jerusalem...there isn't a East or West Jerusalem but straight out since the founding of Israel and it isn't 1948 but thousands of years ago, that there was,is, and forever will be just one Jerusalem, the capitol of the Jewish State. Repeat this with me: Jerusalem is the Capitol of the Jewish State. Just keep on repeating and you'll see the light.

Talking about illegal land grabs. Let's do a deed search on the West Bank and see just how many towns and cities belonged to Israel. Then let the Israeli government fill out a Quick Claim Deed and confiscate lands that were stolen by the PA. If I'm not mistaking, the PA were originally from Jordan and Lebanon, then they decided to steal Israeli property and make it their own. Now, no country in the world would allow such theft.

Israel has never taken anyones land. On the contrary, the PA and other Arabs have been stealing land from the Israelis. Check your bible out and see to whom God deeded the land to. It wasn't the Arabs, but to the Israelites. God holds the title to the land and to the Capitol of Israel called Jerusalem. Until and unless God says otherwise, that land and much more stolen from the Jews will remain so called the land of the Jews.

Say that you have this house and a piece of land and you decided to take a long vacation say to the US.And say you are there for many,many years. IS that property that you left still yours or to whomever claims it? Well, that's how I look upon Jerusalem, the Capitol of the Jewish state. The Jews went on a long long trip, but they still hold the title to their homeland including the city of Jerusalem. Nothing has changed. The deed wasn't barter nor gambled away. If you understand my meaning than you're doing good. Jerusalem never has, never was, nor never will be part of any rogue nation other than the democratic nation of Israel. I'm not Jewish. I've been to Israel once. I'm hispanic, but I love the land that God almighty gave to his people (the Jews) especially Jerusalem. I find it offensive when the EU keeps talking about splitting the land that God gave to his people. Let the EU take it up with God and let's see who'll win.

" Indeed, the ICJ has ruled that it is illegal and that Israel must withdraw from E J`sem." No, they didn't. You're lying again.

It isn't ANYONE's territory yet. But, you have a problem with private land owners building on their land? Why? Because they are Jews building in Jerusalem? Heaven forbid.

Ok, lets take it there. If we do, then Israel has no argument whatsoever. The Neolithic man is the true ancestor of the land, and guess what, 70% of today's Palestinians carry that very same Y-chromosome that Neolithic man had. Only 18% of Jews in Israel do. Fact! Look up the studies conducted by Jewish scientists. So quit making ancestral arguments to the land when as you can see, it truly does belong to the Palestinians...

Jerusalem for Arab families, will the Israeli authorities apporve it?

Watching these goings on from afar, one can only conclude that Israelis suffer from collective insanity. David

The Israeli gov keeps insisting that Jerusalem remain undivided. What is it offering as a guarantee to the non-Israeli residents and their descendants, ad infinitum? Citizenship with full voting rights along with full Palestinian citizenship? What land and water is Israeli offering as compensation/trade to the Palestinian people for the loss of this particular pre-67 territory? What land rights will the East Jerusalem residents have in a post treaty Israel? Many E Jerusalem residents had their land confiscated when they were pushed out of other parts of Israel and Jerusalem. What guarantees is Israel offering on Holy sites? The Israeli Antiquities Authority is not particularly sensitive to centuries old agreements for non-Jewish sites. They've already started remodeling the Holy Sepulcher over objections of the resident clergy.

been in effect since 1967. Tell me how many building permit have been issued to Jews and how many to Palestinians.

You say that it is racism if Jews aren't allowed to build in Jerusalem. I'm sure you are aware that, by law, only Israeli citizens, or those entitled to citizenship on the basis of the Law of Return, are entitled to purchase a plot of what is considered state land. Since the Palestinians in East Jerusalem are city residents but almost none are citizens of the country, they are not entitled to purchase plots in a third of the lands that have been expropriated from them in order to set up Israeli neighborhoods/settlements. So by your reasoning, it is racist that Jews can't build in Arab E Jerusalem, but it is not racist that Arabs can't build there?

Could you just explain, David of the USA, what you mean by "Jerusalem is Jewish"? There are several hundred thousand non-Jews in Jerusalem. Are you claiming: 1) that they don't exist? 2) that they should be expelled? Or converted? Or maybe just killed? 3) that they have no rights and should be reminded of this at every opporunity? And which definition of "Jewish" are you using, by the way? Haredi, Orthodox, Reform ...

It is illegal for Israel to unilaterally annex East Jerusalem. It is illegal to settle on occupied land. There's no ambiguity here. Israel and its supporters love to steal land and then try to rationalize their crimes in an avalanche of blather. It's disgusting.

What if I claim that I do not recognize London as being the legitimate capital of England does that mean that the British government will stop claiming London as the capital? If not all of Jerusalem is Israels capital then who does it belong to? In 1947 the UN plan wasn't going to give Jerusalem to anybody. In 1949 as a result of the ceasefire Jordan then annexed the east and then they deported the majority jewish population and Israel annexed the west and it allowed the arab population in the east to stay. If your going to base Jerusalems border on the 1947 ceasefire proposal doesn't that mean you should base the rest of Israels borders should be the ones the UN proposed in 1947 if so why does the UN say the 1949 ceacefire line is the green line because in 1947 they only offered 51% after the war Israel was left with 78% of mandate Palestine. As things stand there is no Palestine for Jerusalem to form any part of. The arabs can want it but that doesn't make it theirs.

Give the Palestinians on the west bank Israeli citizenship. Though the west bank should have their own parliament ruling over issues in the west bank, but let them all be equal Israeli citizens, with voting rights and the same rights as Jews. Gaza should remain independent, and don't grant citizenship to anyone with past connections to terror networks. Let the settlers pay taxes to the Palestinian parliament, and end the occupation.

It is no secret that Jews are reclaiming ancestral land. The legitimacy of these claims rests on being there first among still identifiable peoples, beside religious claims, of course, not on UN resolutions. "Grandfathering" these claims by saying "that was along time ago, lets keep things as they are" is a mockery of justice. "International laws" are merely devices used to implement foreign policy interests of various parties. They change and adapt to circumstances and are not moral absolutes. Israeli govt is working to change these circumstances expecting recognition to come with time, as it has elsewhere in the world.

would also like to see Israel add to Silwan pool exposure and excavate and refresh all of the Silwan pool area around Ir David as national park and tourist site and have it filled with water again as in days of old... and remove structures atop it by eminent domain. Jerusalem is Jewish

What made ireland different from the palestinians is the difference in history. Ireland was a colony of the english from the 12th century. from the late middle ages it was a kingdom *under the same king as england*, but a separate country. in law and in practice, the irish government was usually subordinate to the english government etc.. As you can see, no such relation existed between the palestinians & Israel or the palestinians & any other country. The palestinians never had a state of their own, like the irish ! Not so are the irish vis a vis england. search the historic relation between the irish & the english & you will see your post 17 doesn't apply !

That is the choice you will be left with. The Palestinians are not going away and their refusing to accept a deal does not negate their rights. Where do you get your thinknig from. A party to a proposed deal does not lose their rights because they do not agree with the terms. Dont talk such utter rot. If the position were reversed --you would quickly change your tone.

Stop all settlement building including East Jerusaelm. Let Palestine have a chance at having a viable homeland without settler interference. Israel is establishing facts on the ground prior to negotiations. These are preconditions intended to erode a Palestinian state. Terrorism comes in many forms, and settlements are one of them.

... the palestinians before & after november 1947. The rejection of the palestinians to accept the 2-state of the u.n. resolution made no obligations on israel to accept the 2-stated now. The palestinians plus the arab countries opted to wars to decide & the wars said their words & more than once. Sixty years past & the palestinians never agreed among themselves ! say nothing about agreeing with Israel ! In years from now there will be nothing left for israel to agree upon. This is a fact of life that no one have the power to change ! And that goes for both the palestinians & israel ! Your post 77 proves nothing ! If proves anything; the palestinians are living in an illusion that has no relation to sanity ! Time the like of you CJ must make them wake up and face realities. And not encourage them with high hopes & dreams that have no truth in them ! Time for change ! And the palestinians must change by accepting life with its all realities !

And they just keep on defying international requests, blatantly and what are the consequences? Nothing. Can you imagine if any other nation was as openly defiant?

the Irish. But we never took their advice. We still have not accepted that Northern Ireland is part of the UK and will strive thgrough diplomatic means to get the North back. Had we listened to folks like you , we would now be still under the yoke of british imperialism. You seem to stick to that form of life very easily. I feel sorry for you---you dont really belong anywhere---do you mate.

No israel, No Palestine. One State Solution is the best for all. One Man, One Vote, Equality for all inhabitants. Equal Pay for Equal Work, Equal Water Rights. No Apartheid, No Segregation...A Very True Secular Democrac Let us call it :?State of Holy Land?.

The annexation of East Jerusalem was declared illegal by UNSC Resolution 252 (1968)of 21 May 1968 UNSC Resolution 267 (1969) of 3 July 1969 UNSC Resolution 271 (1969) of 15 September 1969, UNSC Resolution 298 (1971) of 25 September 1971, UNSC Resolution 465 (1980) of 1 March 1980, UNSC Resolution 476 (1980) of 30 June 1980 So israel can not be above All Laws!

wrong! dont belong to no one eccept G-D and G-d allow people to used it. To share is G-d way so what I see is the zionist taken something that was not their to start with.

Palestinians must build homes in israel itself. After all,they are living in all Palestine for more than 2 thousand years since the Roman expelled jews.Palestinians of today are the children of jews who were converted to Christianity and Islam.

For some of us, the very notion of "Jewish residences" is racist. How would you like the USA to declare "Christian residences"?

You will never be able to live in peace if you are contiously lying and cheating the rest of the world. Sorry for you!

"racist to say Jews can`t build in Jerusalem" It's illegal for Israeli citizens to build in occupied territories. "Jerusalem has been annexed" Unilateral annexation is illegal. The annexation of East Jerusalem was declared illegal by UNSC Resolution 252 (1968) of 21 May 1968 UNSC Resolution 267 (1969) of 3 July 1969 UNSC Resolution 271 (1969) of 15 September 1969, UNSC Resolution 298 (1971) of 25 September 1971, UNSC Resolution 465 (1980) of 1 March 1980, UNSC Resolution 476 (1980) of 30 June 1980

'Unlike the w. bank & gaza, Jerusalem has been annexed & the arabs living there have residency status.' - Observer It is not permitted in intl law to annex territory unilaterally. That is why NO country in the world or international court recognises Israel's 'annexation'. Indeed, the ICJ has ruled that it is illegal and that Israel must withdraw from E J'sem. The ONLY way a country can annex territory LEGALLY is with the consent of the civil authority whose territory it is. The PLO is the recognized civil authority (by Israel too) in Palestine. They have not given their consent to any annexation. Israel's actions are therefore illegal land seizure by force. The reason Jews cannot build in E J'sem is because it is not permitted - & again illegal - under Geneva Convention IV for an occupying power to settle its own people on occupied territory. All the right's claims and fabrications on this issue don't change a thing, Daniella; Israel doesn't have a legal leg to stand on here.

Israel has never legally annexed any territory. It's Sovereign territory today, the same as it was in May 14th 1948. All anyone asks is for Israel to abide by the law. Been asking for 61 years. http://tinyurl.com/yjgh5lj

to palestinians not only is denied to take possession of their land, but they have to build also the homes for israeli citizens who are occupying their land.

not to the future Palestine. They must find another capital.

The residences are to be built WITHIN, not near the complex where 10 families currently live in caravans. Why is there no mention of the fact that the complex is on the northern slop of the Mt. of Olives near the Mt. Scopus campus of Hebrew University. This is Jewish owned property where arabs could never live anyway, so why shouldn't the Jew be allowed to whatever they wish with the property - so the arabs can get an advantage in the demographic war?

// Provisional Government of Israel to the President of the United States, May 15, 1948 ?MY DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: I have the honor to notify you that the state of Israel has been proclaimed as an independent republic within frontiers approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations in its Resolution of November 29, 1947, and that a provisional government has been charged to assume the rights and duties of government for preserving law and order within the boundaries of Israel, for defending the state against external aggression, and for discharging the obligations of Israel to the other nations of the world in accordance with international law. // No territory has ever been legally annexed to Israel.

At least the article states that "Israel claims all of the city its capital" not that it really is !!!??? in other word, not that it's all theirs !!!???

Unlike the w. bank & gaza, Jerusalem has been annexed & the arabs living there have residency status. Arabs continue to build new homes there (many illegally & many on Jewish property which the government does nothing about & is not reported on). Jerusalem is a mixed city. for the most part, Jews & arabs there get along. Arabs rely on the Israelis for jobs. In any final status agreement, the arabs do not expect Israel to give-up sovereignty over eastern Jerusalem, but to share . Therefore to say that one ethnicity or religion - the Jews - cannot build homes there is racist, pure & simple. If there is going to be a buiilding freeze, itr should apply to arabs too.

but the land the buildings are constructed on will be part of Palestine.

And if it offends Arabs to have Jewish neighbors, the Arabs can leave.

whom did the american milionnair bribe to obtain the permit.

If the palestinians; now the world, agree to a solution to the problems so much the better & if not; time never wait for any one ! One must remember if the palestinians were in israel shoes, they would have done exactly what israel is doing now and no one would have blamed them ! Life must go on ... After more than 60 years, it is surprising that the palestinians didn't learn this fact of life !

Please note that the following is not true: Sweden, which holds the rotating European Union presidency, on Monday said Israel's latest plans prevent the creation of an atmosphere conducive to resuming negotiations on a two-state solution. It is Spain that holds the presidency as of January 1. Sweden could not have said that on Monday.