Israel to engage in 'trust-building' moves in wake of East Jerusalem row

"Diaspora makes your opinion absolutely irrelevent." Apparently not. Some moron in your government wants to allow Jews everywhere in the world to be able to vote in Israeli elections. I suppose to widen the demographic gap. How sweet it is.

If you are so ashamed,then why come here and torture yourself unnecessarily? Hang your head in shame if you so wish. I for one do not feel the same as you. You should feel shame for the other side the terror entity who are the problem and not Israel,and by association Netanyahu. Bibi is the leader of Israel doing his best at all odds.You should laud what he is trying to achieve rather than castigate him in your high and mighty way.Sociopath? That's a bit harsh isn't it? So you are Jewish.Well all the more reason to be understanding how Israelis are trying to cope with the ongoing circumstances with their country and ours(the US) putting so much pressure on Israel forgetting the other side's faults. Actually you sound not only pathetic but acting like a whiner. Enough said

It may be you reflect some unfortunate thought patterns. Israel twice in the past thought it could take on the world (year 70, year 135). It is not always a prudent judgement.

Being Jewish, I hang my head in shame when I see headlines like this by Israeli leadership toward its greatest Ally. I can't help but think Israel unworthy of its friendship and support, without of which its existence would never have come to pass. The sociopath Bibi's lack of integrity is a great stain upon the face of Israel and his poor leadership is a constant humiliation to many of us in the diaspora who find the shameless actions of Israeli leadership to be wholly lacking.

Such a big show,and the usual loud mouthed speechifying,to add the flavour? Got fed up,switched off and watched Glenn Beck.Now that was really enjoyable to hear the same from him with good humor. More honest and full of FUN,FUN thank G-D.

I agree with you. Why fudge the issue. Truth is just that. And they better accept it, Ad if not,tough titty. All dithering and fudging Makes them think Israel is.. Going to change its stance? Nah,nah,the people have chozen Netanyahu promised the PEOPLE No deviating,no procastinating Fed up to the back teeth. C'mon Bibi out comes TRUTH.

Yup friend and that is supposed to come from the so-called partner for peace for Israel Abbas the liar/beggar. First they were going to name a street in.... honor of rachel corrie.(note lower case). Because Israel has a long list of innocent Rachels murdered by the terrorists. So,should not come as a surprise them naming a "town square" in Ramallah with the name of a terrorist female. (hey so-called Ramallah is still called JUDEA/SAMARIA)As most good Jews would acknowledge for sure. But then what does one expect from a "HOLOCAUST" denier,who wrote a thesis on it.Supposedly now has recanted?? Yeah right,PIGS MIGHT FLY.

Trust is not built overnight on silence and cover-up. Israel has decades of history that demonstrate deceit.

Israel is quite capable to take are of itself. It has to and has done so since ITS EBIRTH. No need to elaborate further. If push comes to shove -we have the BIG OPTION needing not SPECIFYING.

If you think Netanyahu humiliated Obama you then very conveniently forgot that Obama reciprocated the compliment versus Netanyahu in the humiliating department. it takes two you know. vhardman put it more succinctly.

I was away and saw his request today 20th. Now I need not bother.You have as usual explained it briefly/succinctly Thanks

"Coupled to that would be an Israeli pledge to avoid publicizing further construction decisions in Jerusalem. The result would not be .. something like a 'don't ask, don't tell'" This is a strange idea in consideration with Israel's public institutions (newspapers, NGOs) who are quick to report regardless of official pronouncements. Perhaps the Israelis plan to pass a law against publicising new building in Jerusalem? Once again, we see the truth in the old saying - Israel's task is to chose exactly 2 of 3 options: democracy, a large state, a jewish majority.

why is it always Israel. This east Jerusalem row was so petty and prematured- three years away to even a beginging.

All Bibi needs to tell the US and the world is that the people who elected him do not view Jerusalem as the future capital of any city but Israel. That's clear, honest, and to the point..

Whatcha expect from a weak brain?

Obama is canceling his trip to Indonesia to bring to the US your Canadian-style, kill-granny, death panels. He hopes to make that law Sunday. Then the FEMA Relocation and Re-Education camps will be opened and we will all march to the glorious and radiant future holding Mao's Little Red Book and praising Nazi-Stalinism. He'll then sell Canada to China to pay off our National Debt and we'll all learn to sing the Internationale. "Arise, wretched of the earth"

Hamas is an elected government but Israel is out to destroy it. the current elected Israeli is a bunch of loonies and the US is quite right to seek regime change. if I was you i would move to san remo and let it blow over

When did Hamas become your standard for negotiations and good will? Israel should show some good will towards the US, don't you think?

All of the foreign pressure on Israel is the consequence of the Israeli government's weak cowardice in failing to stand up for Jewish national rights, and their weak cowardice is the consequence of their estrangement from Judaism's central values. They reject God and bow low to non-gods, and wonder why the world holds them in increasing contempt. When Israel has authentic Jewish leadership, and fears God above all else, it will strike terror into the hearts of all its enemies.

As a palestinian I say god bless you Marsha Steinberg Why can't fair minded palestinians join with fair minded jews/israelis and settle this mess?

Yes, the US is getting ready to put granny in the grave using Canadian Death Panels and the FEMA Re-education Camps are being readied to corral all the Republicans. And then the Japanese will be sent to the relocation camps. And the Nazi-Stalinists will take over all of North America after confiscating everybody's guns. Obama is planning to sell Canada to China to reduce the US deficit, but only after stripping Canada of all oil and gold to finance our new Canadian-style kill-granny death panels. And Soylent-Green will be the new national food in the USA (secretly made from dead grannies).

mark, they appear to be succeeding !

Your OCD can be treated. Israel doesn't include what you conquered in 1967. It doesn't include Damascus. It doesn't include al Anbar Province or the Sinai, either.

A decade ago the Supreme Court of the USA twice halted the Presidential election. The first reason contradicted the second reason. In both cases the objective was clear. The outcome was uncertain, though it appeared George W. Bush would be the winner. The Supreme Court was not willing to risk another outcome. In a decision which it stated that the ruling would not apply in any future case, it appointed George W. Bush Resident of the United States. Thus began the decline of America into a position where no decent nation had any trust it in, or it's government. As the two previous governments of the USA, that of G.H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton has spent 12 years rebuilding the credibility the nation had lost in the 1980s, this was a major blow. The American and Israeli right have done everything they can to destroy any chance of rebuilding the world's trust in America. Given the malicious intent and ruthless behavior of the Netanyahu government, what will it take to rebuild 'trust"

First we must remember that the Netanyahu government spent over a year trying to humiliate, slander and destroy the Obama administration. How much 'trust- building' will it take to overcome that past? Though I am a Zionist, and consider Israel a nation which MUST exist, I am an American and deeply resent the year Netanyahu spent trying to destroy the elected government of the United States. "Israel is willing to carry out trust-building moves in the West Bank in order to facilitate peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday." - Haaretz And who remembers the many times - the EVERY time - that Netanyahu - Israel - has met the arrival of a US emissary with an announcement of further settlements? It will take MUCH more than words to build 'trust.'

Obama was elected in the USA, he should just stick to that. Health reform needs his attention. Time for the USA to stop telling Israel what to do.

... but next to Hamas' foreign policy of killing people with random rockets, it still comes out on top

Time to end this charade and cut off US funding of Israel and the blanket support we give Israel in the UN when almost every other country in the world has decided to vote against Israel's continued occupation of Palestine. This is the best way to be a friend of Israel.

Your complaint is humorous since the Pals are well known for a state controlled media that revokes press credentials of foreign journalists(in the print, radio and tv media)that report things critical of Hamas or Fatah governments and use it as form of blackmail to control all media coverage regarding the Palestinians. In addition even Palestinian reporters are threatened along with their families with death threats and other forms of intimidation when anything they write seems critical of their government and leaders. As the recent "Son of Hamas" CNN interview revealed, he is now under death threats. You do have selective indignation, why is that? How is Israel preventing your buddy Mohammed Omar from speaking? Since I couldn't find the article you speak of. Your source of info is suspect since Ma'an news is the Arabic form of what your would call "Hasbara.

"...a real effort by Israel to aid the U.S. administration..."???? Israel "to aid" the US ?? Since when does the US be "aided" by Israel ? Isn't it rather the other way around? Does Israel think it is sitting on the high chair and the US on the low chair ? David

taffy by us law to allow jews to close settle in any part of the mandate territory !also by international treaty of san remo 1920 !!!

and freedom should be the goal and norm.WE need a "dialogue des cultures" not a clash of civilizations.

"He is tracking straight to knock Jimmeh Cahtuh off bottom of the "America`s Worst Presidents" list." L.Brnd. The latest Poll on 42 US Presidents is the C-SPAN poll taken in 2009. Carter came in 25th on the list with GW Bush coming in at 36th. So as far as post war Presidents are concerned he will have "to knock G.Dubya Bush off bottom of the "America`s Worst Presidents" list." The C-SPAN poll has a good pedigree. The C-SPAN Survey of Presidential Leadership consists of rankings from a group of presidential historians and professional observers of the presidency. Rather than a random poll of Americans, which by necessity would include a significant number of 'hockey mums' and other such n'er-do-wells who don't know why there are two Koreas and such like, let alone remember the name of the last dozen or so Presidents. http://www.c-span.org/PresidentialSurvey/Survey-Participants.aspx

Why has Israel prevented Palestinian award winning journalist, Mohammed Omar from traveling to Chicago to speak on living conditions of Palestine?(Ma'an News 19.3.2010) What is Israel attempting to cover up - the denial of Palestinian rights to cultural freedom/human rights?

"The whole of Israel belongs to Jews. If some object,then tough on them. None of their business especially the US,EU or any other meddling bussy bodies who have nothing to do,bar obsessing with ONLY ISRAEL." Jasmine, exactly what are the boundaries of Israel to you then? I can then either agree or disagree with you. This is the million dollar/ME peace question.

...then no doubt 'semmthing' will happen to ensure that no peace negotiations will ever take place for 3 years so that Israel can turn around and say to Palin/Obama - "You said we could build now!" Bibi is looking for the nod to officially break the law. Simply stunning!

"He is tracking straight to knock Jimmeh Cahtuh off bottom of the "America`s Worst Presidents" list." L.Brnd. The latest Poll on 42 US Presidents is the C-SPAN poll taken in 2009. Carter came in 25th on the list with GW Bush coming in at 36th. So as far as post war Presidents are concerned he will have "to knock G.Dubya Bush off bottom of the "America`s Worst Presidents" list." The C-SPAN poll has a good pedigree. The C-SPAN Survey of Presidential Leadership consists of rankings from a group of presidential historians and professional observers of the presidency. Rather than a random poll of Americans, which by necessity would include a significant number of 'hockey mums' and other such n'er-do-wells who don't know why there are two Koreas and such like, let alone remember the name of the last dozen or so Presidents. http://www.c-span.org/PresidentialSurvey/Survey-Participants.aspx

Why not? What better way to build trust?

At bottom, trust is established when one keeps one's word. Other measures of trust building are secondary, and actually deceptive if one does NOT keep one's word. In the present case, Israel obligated itself when accepting the Bush Roadmap (by the Sharon government - at the time of Likud) to freeze construction in all the Territories, including East Jerusalem. Sharon mentioned 14 "reservations" that he took about the Roadmap, none involving construction freeze. The Roadmap was mentioned by Obama as the basis for the (planned) peace talks, and Netanyahu said a few times in the past that his government will accept all past government obligations. If he intends to cheat, he should do it on a small scale and with sensible-sounding excuses, like other governments did. But he has grand plans for cheating, and tries to do it in broad daylight. This is unfortunate, because pointing to the Roadmap obligation, he would be able to convince even his crazy Likud members that this has to be done.

I think it is almost impossible for Israel to build trust given its past behavior but perhaps building could be considered a little differently. East Jerusalem is predominantly arab and so likely to become the capital of the palestinian state. Israeli building gluttony should be confined to West Jerusalem in predominantly Jewish neighborhoods. As for the proposed 1600 units recently announced, I don't enough about where they are to be, but past Israeli behavior would lead me to suspect they are on land rationally destined for Palestine.

"for legal reasons" expansion cannot be stopped. This is one of the funnier jokes from a government that is a barrel of monkeys already. But fear not, there is no "don't ask, don't tell." These criminals can't help but brag about their crimes.

"He is tracking straight to knock Jimmeh Cahtuh off bottom of the "America`s Worst Presidents" list." L.Brnd. The latest Poll on 42 US Presidents is the C-SPAN poll taken in 2009. Carter came in 25th on the list with GW Bush coming in at 36th. So as far as post war Presidents are concerned he will have "to knock G.Dubya Bush off bottom of the "America`s Worst Presidents" list." The C-SPAN poll has a good pedigree. The C-SPAN Survey of Presidential Leadership consists of rankings from a group of presidential historians and professional observers of the presidency. Rather than a random poll of Americans, which by necessity would include a significant number of 'hockey mums' and other such n'er-do-wells who don't know why there are two Koreas and such like, let alone remember the name of the last dozen or so Presidents. http://www.c-span.org/PresidentialSurvey/Survey-Participants.aspx

You say..."And no one can order a sovereign country to do what it can or not. Should they continue IT WILL BE AT THEIR PERIL." If I were to apply your logic to Iranian acquisition of nuclear weapons...sanctions would not be needed...nor would an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities be needed. Be careful what you wish for...you might get it.

Posted: by some of our governments. Can you imagine how our enemies feel? Enough with these ruses. People judge integrity by acts not words." Bravo. I agree with you 100%. Actions speak louder than words. The problemm is that most if not all of our past and present government leaders have no integrity, they are racists, bigotted people who are full of hatred and are blind to what needs to be done in order to bring about a true and just peace.

What a joke: image over substance. The world will not be fooled.

RE: "The whole of Israel belongs to Jews. If some object,then tough on them. None of their business especially the US,EU or any other meddling bussy bodies who have nothing to do,bar obsessing with ONLY ISRAEL." Spoken like a true Jewish settler. Israel's business became the business of the USA and the EU when the first $$ of aid was given to Israel by the USA and the EU. Both the USA and the EU are responsible for what is going on in this region and have paid Israel billions of dollars to serve the interests of the USA and the EU and thier multi-national bussineses. You as a settler have no right whatsoever to any land that Israel is occupying, you were not born here and make sure you are aware that most Israelis, if given the chance would boot your asses back to where you came from. You settlers are no more than a cancer for Israel and the rest of the world. We Israelis do not want you here and do not need you here. GO HOME NOW.

Posted: "You can scream and shout,but it is the truth. We are the BOSS in our Country Israel. And no one,can order a sovereign country to do what it can or not..." We may be the boss in our country right now, but when the billions of dollars stop coming in from the USA and other nations, that support our ability to be the boss of our country, they will be the bosses then, so we better do as they ask, because once the $$ stops coming in, we will not be the bosses and it will be too late for us to be anything or to do anything we want, except to listen and do what others will order us to do. We better do everything we can to resolve the issues now. Otherwise, there will come a day and believe it or not it is coming sooner than we think, that our allies, mainly the USA, will stop supporting our criminal governments action and stop the aid that flows into Israel unless we listen to our allies and do what is needed to be done in order to bring peace to this region.

Netanyahu is attempting to keep the settlers happy, but yet they are truly the impediment to peace and a viable Palestine. Isn't it time for Netanyahu to provide courageous leadership for Israel rather than pay homage to the settlers? He could develop much trust among the Palestinians by stating support for an independent, viable, prosperous, contiguous Palestine along the lines of the Saudi 2002 plan. He could begin negotiations where Olmert and Livni left off. He could retract his statements about maintaining an IDF presence in a new Palestine. He could promote economic assistance to build a viable Palestine. Current reassurances from Netanyahu fall short of trust-building.

Does that constitute anything the Israelis say is 'Israel'? Then what of the ultra orthodox parties who would argue that Israel's eastern border should lie on the Euphrates?

OCD is a treatable disorder. The Israeli Arabs and the Palestinians are not going to disappear for your convenience. Show just a speck of good will and it will be returned. Acts of random kindness can be habit forming and provide and example to children that lets them grow to maturity as decent people.

because we believe that history of diaspora Jews rests with the notion of supporting justice and fairness for all not with the gross, naked racism that spews from the mouths of Israeli leaders. Tell me honestly , were you also as outraged as now when Israel did not defend herself aggressively and buses , dance halls , Sader , Sabaro ......where Jews were blown to pieces daily ???? Or it is only now , finally after years of that terror , they decided to act normally as any other country in the world would , you are so outraged ?

Does that constitute anything the Israelis say is 'Israel'? Then what of the ultra orthodox parties who would argue that Israel's eastern border should lie on the Euphrates?

# 57 Jasmine, Quite true. I have a few more 'Donts'besides the 1st 2: Don't ask. Dob't tell. Don't hear. Don't listen. Don't budge. Don't move. Don't eat. Don't drink. Don't whisper. Don't yell. Shavua Tov.

To Dr. Brnd, SDHD, Petra and others living in America but who love Israel better. It is time that you make a choice: Love America better and shut up OR get a ticket. You, along with Israel, have become enemies of the US, as has finally been told. You have only shifting sand on which to stand: the Green Line or else. All else is illegal and the world will no longer stand for it. Make your choice. Say in public which nation you love best!

The whole of Israel belongs to Jews. If some object,then tough on them. None of their business especially the US,EU or any other meddling bussy bodies who have nothing to do,bar obsessing with ONLY ISRAEL.

You can scream and shout,but it is the truth. We are the BOSS in our Country Israel. And no one,can order a sovereign country to do what it can or not. Should they continue IT WILL BE AT THEIR PERIL. You better believe it.

by some of our governments. Can you imagine how our enemies feel? Enough with these ruses. People judge integrity by acts not words.

We build and you look the other way? It has worked for over 40 years.

Like Iran's being allowed to build a bomb and Israel can't build a building in Israel for Jews? BUILD BIBI BUILD!!!!

they aren't fit for humans, too bloody, too anxious to use their kids as warriors or jihadists. No one wants them in their midst, especially those familiar w/ them. And their fellow muslims use them as mercenaries as they can't stand them.

who are we trying to fool here? this is deception and can have nothing to do with building trust...only more 'jews only' building on stolen land....bibi actually though anyone would go for this? he wants to compromise US politicians in a no ask or tell while he builds? tell you what we may be goyim (some of us) but we are not stupid

Israel obviously needs housing for the Arab inhabitants of Jerusalem. Build some in West Jerusalem. As for building in lands captured in 67 that were outside of Jerusalem at the time, they are still outside of Jerusalem in the eyes of every other country on earth. Ramat Schlomo is not in Jerusalem. Neither is Bethlehem inside Jerusalem. Neither is Jericho or Ramallah. Evanston is not inside Chicago, and neither is Schaumburg or Skokie, even if Chicago wants to expand Ohare again.

"keep your righteous indignation to yourself. there are no bigger racists than the arabs. the issues here are obviously beyond your understanding." Cipora, keep your righteous indignation to yourself. There are no bigger racists than you. The issues here are obviously beyond your understanding.

At the exact time when the US senate grapples with repealing the 'don't ask don't tell' discriminatory law against gat persons in the militery, Israel in its infinite wisdom proposes to apply this principle to building in East Jerusalem. It is not the matter of these exact 1600 units but the creeping clandestine demolitions of Palestinians dwellings and 'expansion' of existing illegal Jewish 'neighborhoods', that matter. You don't have to ask, for your own 'lying' eyes will tell the story. Netanyahu will continue with his old shticks whenever he can. The US should not fall for it.

It is Talmud

It is a very tentative first step.

That's like trusting Ted Bundy with your daughter.

It's important to progress with the proximity talks before the negotiations on the core issues are implemented.

keep your righteous indignation to yourself. there are no bigger racists than the arabs. the issues here are obviously beyond your understanding. there are 100,000 missiles pointed at israel, many of which are sophisticated. iran is constantly arming and training syria, hezbollah and hamas with more sophisticated weapons systems. iran is continuing with its nuclear weapons development. these are the basic issues, not a few apartments that will be built in the future in northern jerusalem in a suburb that everyone knows will remain under israeli sovereignty.

regardless of your sarcasm, this is all israel will be able to offer as a compromise. if the u.s. will refuse netanyahu's proposals, the peace process will be as dead as a dead fish. obama is not emperor of the world. all concerned should grasp this simple fact.

"In an interview after losing office in 1992, former Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir admitted that his intention had been to conduct negotiations for 10 years while allowing the settlement population in the territories to multiply."

Because of him and his creepy neo-Con boss Fred Hiatt, the Washington Post is rapidly losing all credibility and circulation. While above article only references his reporting, Diehl's op eds prove that he is too emotionally involved and/or anti-Arab to report on Israel objectivtively. He's fast becoming a laughing stock.

integrity of the Jewish people.

What a breath of fresh air your comments are! One reflects on how much better off Israel, and the entire region would be, if Israel (1) had not initiated the 1967 war at all or (2), having initiated it, had heeded the September 1967 advice of Theodor Meron, legal counsel to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the PM that settlement by Israel of the Occupied Territories would be a violation of Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Israel is, and, apparently, will continue to be a victim of the arrogance and infantile self-righteousness of its leaders.

Don't Believe" That sure is another Israeli Insult!

Even with trust, it is still all about building.

...particularly easy to pull off in the digital and Internet age.

How about you just follow basic law and only arrest Palestinians who are found guilty and not just because someone is Palestinian.

As phony as Bibi is, not a bit more, and not a bit less. That makes it pretty phony...but still pretty popular in Israel. If phoniness were an Olympic event, they'd have 60 athletes competing, and take Gold, Silver and Bronze.

It turns out that Netanyahu is as spineless as all the prime ministers before hime. What a shame. We had such hopes for him. Feiglin is looking better every day!

What is particularly sick about these "gestures" is that this plan had already been shelved by Israel, re-activated to humiliate Joe Biden and the US and now is on the table as if it were a fact on the ground.

do it now

In case there is a settlement, then, Israel MUSt reciprocate and expell all Arabs from Israel as Arabs propose to do so with Jews. Why else couldn't ISrael continue building in its predominantly Jewish neighborhoods that could one day--may that day NEVER come--be transferred under the wonderful control of the PA (eventually, Hamas). What are the confidence building efforts coming from Palestinians? A day of rage? A kassam missle? The continued ransoming of Israel against international law (Schalit story)? Lies by King Abdullah that Jerusalem is trying to expell Arabs? Dear Marsha: I hope you know the results of survey after survey, asking Israeli Arabs if they'd prefer to live in a Palestinian state or Israel overwhelmingly choosing Israel. Go to the following website for some key facts: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/myths/mf18.html

so dont let the door....

Israel has frequently claimed that the rest of the world is against it. After 62 years, Netanyahu and Lieberman have finally made it true.

This week, Abbas named a town square in Ramallah after a terrorist that killed 38 Israeli civilians. Not a peep out of that anti-Semitic President.

Bibi you are one to come up with some very crass crap. No construction secrets now. What a comic.

It's no secret that Israel would rather trade the entire West Bank and even some parts of Israel for all of Jerusalem. So what purpose does it serve to enact trust-building measures in the West Bank, when the issue is Jerusalem? I don't think the West Bank is really the question. It's like someone stealing your car, but offering to mow your yard as a consolation...it just doesn't equate...as if afterward you'd then trust them fully. What would really build the trust would be returning the car and then building the trust on top of that. Try some trust-building moves in Jerusalem that actually balance out the action taken. This whole thing makes a mockery of the two-state solution.

Its kind of paradoxical that settlement building is preventing progress. The sooner the borders are fixed the sooner the question of settlements will go away. So long as agreed borders are delayed more settlements put more 'facts on the ground'.

Marsha and others, Israel cares not about your dangerous "support'. You are in the diaspora and thus really not relevant to the situation on the gound here in Israel. Stick to issues like healthcare in America, etc. Please don't pretend as if you know what is best for the Jewish Nation because I can assure you that you are only jeapordizing the lives of brave, young Jewish soldiers and our families who sacrifice everything just to keep all the threats against us from throwing us into the sea. Building and reestablishing our roots is the only way to not loose ground. Reading about the situation while having coffee on your balcony in the middle of Nowheresville, Diaspora makes your opinion absolutely irrelevent.

You guys are so fake! I am an American and a Jew. I think Israel should continue to express its own interests. Obama is going, and most American that I hear, speak to or read from think your ideas are crazy. Israel will continue with success. Israel is Jewish and thank G-d for that.

Trust building exercises. Oh, I love those. My favorite is where you just fall back expecting your partner to catch you. Yeah Bibi, just lay yourself back. I am sure Obama will catch your fall.

breaking with Israel. Thank you.

How can anyone take this man at his word?

I predict that Bibi's proposels will be acceptable to America. Bibi is no different than any other PM before him...he will talk for peace but act in the interest of colonising the West Bank, and will do this silently...like all the Prime Ministers before him (including Rabin).

that no one terrorize you if this is your religion

It finally occurred to our idiot President that a 1995 act of Congress bars him from treating Jerusalem as other than the unified capital of Israel. All he gets to decide is the date of moving the US Embassy there, which can be delayed for 6 month intervals provided there are bonafide "sensitive" negotiations going on, and there won't be unless Abbas and the PA start talking unconditionally. The only trust building that needs to be going to go on is Obama winning back (if he ever had it) the trust of the Israelis, because they will make no concessions to Abbas of any significant kind unless they trust the US President to honor HIS commitments. And its hard to see them ever trusting Obama again. Why should they - America doesn't trust him either, Obama shows us daily he is just a cheap Chicago political hack with no skills except reading Axelrod's speeches off a Teleprompter. He is tracking straight to knock Jimmeh Cahtuh off bottom of the "America's Worst Presidents" list.

Is he mad or something. Doesn't he understand that the US means business.?

If, and that is if this report is true. Then Binyamin still haven't learned or even understood what has happened. He has insulted the US Vice President and the US President. He has done more harm to US-Israeli relations than any PM before him. What is asked of him is to fall in line and that after he has corrected and appologised for the insult to the USA. This nonsense will not pass as such and he better rethink his ways. Trickery isn't going to cut it. The National Security Interest of the United States is at stake.

I would say, "You've got to be kidding," but I have come to expect this sort of thing. Does Bibi really think that nobody will notice they're putting facts on the ground as long as there aren't press releases announcing each apartment as it's built? This is pitiful.

How can this possibly be construed as trust building? I am at a loss here... W(hat's)T(his)F(riend)?

That is laughable!!! That is NO concession whatsoever and is an affront to the Palestinians and to the USA. In other words, we are going to do what we want to do (oh, we will wait for a couple of years to appear like we are giving in) and then we are going to go ahead and make any future building plans we want, but just not tell anyone about it! I hope the Obama administration isn't as stupid as the Israelis think they are!

What delicious spin! If nothing else, Israel's PR machine reveals itself to be at the bottom of its bag of tricks.

Are you not allowing comments? This idea that by not asking/telling the relationship with the U.S will be okay is very mistaken. Jews in the U.S (including me) are breaking with Israel because we believe that history of diaspora Jews rests with the notion of supporting justice and fairness for all not with the gross, naked racism that spews from the mouths of Israeli leaders.

I hope Netanyahu is not so stupid he thinks anyone believes that if push came to shove he couldn't stop the building.