Jerusalem council drops construction, apparently due to U.S. crisis

Especially Netanyahu, who appears to be clueless about what he is really up against. http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/03/14/the_petraeus_briefing_biden_s_embarrassment_is_not_the_whole_story He is facing the pushback of the US military, and that is one almighty lobby group to have you well and truly in its cross-hairs. You Are A Goner, Bibi.

Maybe Netanyahu's government will fall and they'll call for new elections. Maybe AIPAC etc will make Obama apologise and things will completely get back to normal. An increased number of anti-zionist americans will watch in impotent fury while both political parties compete to see who can give the most to Israel. Maybe Israel will make a big show of making peace with Syria and draw attention away from West Bank. Maybe Israel will go to war with Iran and draw attention away from West Bank. Would Obama resupply Israel for a war they started against his orders? And if he doesn't .... I can't predict at all. Will the US media report what's going on? If not US citizens will not be outraged at Israel and will not understand Obama saying mean things to Netanyahu. Will Israeli voters prefer candidates who talk tough and say Israel can go it alone? If more of those get elected than last time, it will be hard to set up a coalition without them....

do you really think we going to drop east jeruselem drop ariel

You have to stand up for your Rights. Even if Israel NUKES entire muslim world we will stand with you ! Once our dictatorships and lazy leaders get moved which is not long looking at events. Zionist settlers don't want peace... if you want peace then stand up for your rights and we all will stand with you no matter the odds !

Will be acceptale to Israel and its leaders then you live in cloud-cuckoo-land. Who do you think you are addressing this comment? As if Israel will AGREE to bully tactics.Dream on Danny boy. Let the ones who want to adhere to your version understand Israel is neither afraid nor the BANGING FORCEFULLY will change the attitude of the Israelis. Why don't you force your WIFE to do your bidding and see what a SLAP IN THE FACE YOU'LL GET. Israel knows force and can EQUALLY DEAL WITH FORCE to the ones who may try it and see. You are CONTEMPTABLE not ISRAEL

Israel said Jerusalem was not on the table. The U.S. obviously did not listen, does not care about Israel Independence or Historical rights, and therefore did the absolute best thing for it preservation. Showing a smiling face to a 'friend' all set to screw you, will not work here. You can rest assured that if Biden was here, and the migrant Arab workers referred to as Palestians are willing to enter into talks, it is because the U.S. promised to deliver concessions from Israel.

This is not only disheartening it is an unbelievable phenomenon. Fo 61+ years leaders come and go,and in the end fall PRAY TO THE USA,PLUS other countries whims. Why I cannot understand.Acting like mice in the JAWS of CATS.OUnable to see the wood for the TREES. Israel has had to wait for the powers that be on how it should conduct their country's affairs waiting for permission to act in any way they see fit being a sovereign country and NOT A BANANA REPUBLIC. All Israel does,is give,and nothing in return. Considering that Begin was not a lefty,still he had to abandone the Sinai,for what? Oh yes they made peace,BUT IT IS A COLD one. People constantly remind the Israelis on the monies they receive(knowing it is spent right in the US)BUT NEVER COMPLAIN about Egypt that receives over two billions$$$ for just sitting pretty.No reciprocation toward the US in any way,(Me thinks why/how do they deserve it?) Now with Obama AND CLIQUE IT IS WORSE.

--and so will the 3 billion USD annually which we get from the US. Our lobby in the US will guarantee this forever. Sadly, this plays right into the senario where we will grow stronger than ever with more soldiers under arms and a trendous "itch" to use them. There is nothing to prevent this, similar to there being nothing to prevent WW II based on the national "urge" to expand and the acquiessance of the rest of the world to what we are doing. I see 1939 beginning all over again.

Indeed, for about 2.5bn people on the planet (in formerly Communist/Buddhist/Hindu Asia) Israel barely registers and any antipathy is topical and very superficial.

Biden should have gotten on the plane and just left your coubtry. I am Jewish and a supporter of your country, but NO MORE CONTRBUTION from me.

one statement was enough!!!!!!!Get over it it was a bureaucratic SNAFU!!!!

As much as I disagree with Hamas, I think they may be right in one thing. Peace talks are waste of time, Israel have no interest in peace. Israel rather steal our lands for extremist settlers instead. Why Israel can't leave us alone and build inside its own lands??

The real INSULT is the fact that American pols keep stating that America has Israel's security at heart, all the while dithering on sanctions for Iran in order to please V. Putin, and selling F15s to head-chopping Saudi maniacs while bowing to their king. "Take risks for peace" says the US to Israel -- the peace that comes in the grave.

First off this is not a conflict between Jew and Arab. almost half of the Jews in Israel are Arab(mizrahi). This is a conflict between religions. Secondly, no east Jerusalem is not mostly non Jewish Arabs, Israel has been building there for the last 40 years solidifying its presence there. Just look at Olmerts map to the pals. He offered them only 30% of east Jerusalem. lastly You say pals will continue to fight against the Jews because they are not equal. Well can you name one other country in the mid east where they are? Currently in Jordan where 60% of the population is Pal, the government is taking away their ID cards and the indigenous Arab population is rioting against their presence. In Lebanon they are still kept in their cages. So when are these pals going to start to rise up against their oppressors? They wont. simply because they are cool with being subjugated by other Muslims. The only reason why the Pals get so angry at Israel is because its a Jewish country.

You are right, Mr. Michael. The Arabian ones must recognize and respect the Jewish State. But it is also necessary Israel gives up some ambitions. Obama's Administration wants to achieve a honoured peace in the Middle East. That's the principal goal. Without mutual collaboration, nothing will can be done. Have a good day. Luiz Felipe Haddad, Brazil.

It's not that Israelis don't understand other forms of language, they just have absolute CONTEMPT for anybody who attempts to placate them using charm or pleasantries. No, with Israel, you must speak the language of force, and if necessary bang on the table a couple of times to really get their attention!

Americans appear to have already.... And its all for good reason. Today China is in the news ripping the Obama administration apart...North Korea has shown NO results and Iran is a mess... America could not do a foreign policy thing right since the Obama administration took office. It is amateur hour in the White House indeed.

access to their holy sites http://wp.me/pDB7k-ki#democracy-equal-rights Them Arab Muslims...yaddda yadda yadda

No dear, I believe that all people got the right to acces to their holy places. I believe our holy land can gather both peoples where everyone can live freely and equaly. I'm not that extremist who says,'everything or nothing'. I believe in human rights regardless of race, color, sex, religeon . . .

On the luminaries and bringing the "organs" doners not to be mourned? If there are some who advocated it,then they are in the minority.I have yet to read/hear they HAVE PUT IT INTO ACTION. But then your extreme views with the two liners you denigrate not only all the leaders,but Israel as well. A bit of carbolic soap would do wonders to your mouth..

Netanyahu has not strayed yet and never will. He is doing his best for the electorate in what his mandate was going to be,abd is STICKING BY IT. I say to Livni stop being so presumptious,you had your chance,but BLEW IT. No need to disrespecting Bibi,he offered you to join his party and your REFUSAL SPEAKS VOLUMES.

The timing is good. Such a provocative revealing of the building plan says it all. Israelis do not share the desire for a shared capital. It's clear that it's not even on the table for discussion.

of all the lying and breast beating by Livni when you say:Unfortunately Mr. Nehanyahu had to form a coalition with Shas and Yisrael Biteinu to form the government. Nonsense,Netayahu asked her several times(even very recently for the umpteenth time) to JOIN him to show and proceed to form forceful Govt together. But sour grapes Livni refused. Me thinks of course this is the result of her LOSING the election she thought was in the BAG,but SHE LOST. And not all the members are extreme rightists.

The gullible christions, who drink wine in church are fedup with the ME violence, by threatening with violence we will always get what we want

Do you believe peace is possible without Arab Muslims recognizing that Jews also have religious rights and a right of access to their holy sites? If you do, you should wake up. We already are seeing a backlash in Europe to Muslim intollerance.

pals are going to always fight against israel especially if there right are not eqaul to the jews

Oh realy? What reality did her party change in gaza? And what reality did she change with regards to arrest warrants for Israelis? And what reality did the Olso change for Palestinian terror?

Excuse me, absolutesweden, I couldn't let your comment slide a valid analogy. The South Korean people described as shouting "Yankee Go Home" are small group of people who are expressing their own opinion under democratic rules of freedom of speech. You need to know that these people are not "REPRESENTATIVES of The STATE of KOREA" who dare to embarrass VICE PRESIDENT of the US upon his STATE VISIT. South Korean government never formally requested US troop removal or "Yankee Go Home." Never have US and Israel's plans been so diametrically opposed as current series of events indicate. Israel really needs to understand that it cannot go on its current path. If you won't give a chance for peace to start, then you won't have a peace. I fear Israel really has managed to hurt its relationship with US nearly irreparably. No you can't compare South Korea situation to Israel-Palestine conflict. And Israel cannot justify its current series of blunders.

THE DAY OF RECKONING IS UPON US. AN ANTI-CHRIST WAS ELECT TO THE HIGHEST POWER POSITION IN THE WORLD! And the man goes even further by claiming Barak is a Leftist!!! By God, I wonder where he places the Bloc Québécois on the political spectrum... And all of this coming from a Canadian. Fantastic. We now live on "Middle Earth" if we take this guy seriously...

"The Americans have moved the goal- posts unfairly." Such delicious irony! ... let's just call recent events Israel's "Palestinian Moment" shall we? :)

Im not done yet. Muslims are on a plan that never changed since the great Islamic push. Back then they used the sword, today they use oil dollars. They were able to castrate the lebanese christians, then with their invasion of the EU they have control of key european countries and the vice is still tightening. They were able to build personal relationships with key american presidents (Bushes), and now Hussein in power they have direct access. The campaign is to deligitimise Israel then deal the final blow. The American armadas in the middle east dont mean anything. We all know that americans will change direction on a dime, and will drop friends as easy. the only lasting plan is to control the land, giving it up is a suicide. First they made you appologize to the Turks and now backing off the construction plan...I see a slide guys and its baaaad

It is disheartning to watch the jewish state in shambles by letting this US administration divide them. Obama has succeeded in his plan so far and the jews are falling for it. Greed among Israeli politicians is tearing your fabric apart. think about it this way: They want you to get permission for everything you do. you cannot even decide what to do with Jerusalem. Look at the big picture, post Sadat overture, Israel has not been able to make ONE gain. you have been on the ropes ever since while giving up land. if you dont arrest this decline, your end is near as it was for the lebanese christians

Since you are referring to your BIBLE, please allow others also to refer to their HOLY BOOK. You , here, admit " IT IS A WAR BETWEEN TWO RELIGEONS ". So why should we blame ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS,then? Dear, you better read history and check on which part of the SIN-WAVE curve you are now. If you think of your next generations, PEACE IS THE ONLY SOLUTION.

You do not believe in god, you are not humans. Does you god condone the practice of throwing Women and children on the streets. Bombing schools and hospitals. You are barbaric animals, do not call yourself religious Jews as your are terrorists in every ones eyes.

Netanyahu has always maintained, and correctly so that there will be no negotiation when it comes to Jerusalem. It is, and always will be the Israeli capital. The construction of these housing units were always planned and explicitly excluded from the temporary freeze. Nothing has changed except the other parties incremental increasing expectations.

The Obama admnistration has engeeneered this crisis because they want to twart an Israeli strike on Iran by toppling Bibi. Leftists supporting Obama policies must understand that they are preparing a new Shoah because Obama has brainwashed Israeli Leftists like Barak in believing that Iran is not an existential threat to Israel. Obama does not care of Israel, he is only interested in saving his interests in Iran. The best option is to reject Obama as a mediator in this conflict.

You do realize it's bc he's an "end of days" Christian cuckoo. He believes that for armageddon to take place there must be a greater Israel. This nice guy Ray also thinks Jews are going to burn in hell for eternity unless you accept Jesus very soon. Petra is a very sill woman.

In an early morning sacred epiphany I learned from G-d (and I wrote it all down as law so there wouldn't be any dispute) that He wanted me to have Jerusalem. So in accordance with HIS word, I want all of you Jews and Muslims out of there by the end of next week. The true G-d has given the land to me and I'm allowing only other Christians to remain. Ciao losers.

She says the govt. was paying the price for the decisions it has not made. An arguable case could be made that the recent ruckus arose from a decision that it did make. Or not.

"Shas spiritual leader: Jews who donate organs to science shouldn`t be mourned (Haaretz)"

Yishai should resign. This would be a reaction in any Western country. But Israel is not...

At least the government is recognising that it was not the best thing to do when US VP was here. So lets hope that nothing 'sneaky' happens in the future.regarding building/demolishing etc. Someone suggested what I have said for years.that is, Jerusalem should be FOREVER undivided,but run jointly by Jews Christians and Muslims with,perhaps a joint committee and rotating Mayors of each persuasion;all of that depending on previousl recognition of Israel and agreed peace. Meanwhile we have to find a way to stop the tail wagging the dog,that is, the minority religeous parties controlling the government. such as a new voting system.And not like the Eurovision song contest,with all Russians voting for Leiberman etc.

and are still financing 30.000 US troops there ,designed to die first should North Korea attacked. They send their Secretary of State to beg South Korea to relent and buy american beef . No "You owe us!!" Their ambush on Israel was well prepared in advance ,some money must have changed hands to make the annoucement in the precise moment. Israel should fight back and publish info on the bribe and who's behind it.

You see, those who know how to read and understand that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been a problem since 1948 know the following: 1- Kadima has the same policy than Likud. The rhetoric is softer. But don't be fooled, if some want Livni's head is because she practiced the same Politics than Likud. 2- It is based on facts and laws that those who oppose Israel are accusing those politicians. You are using facts that go back to Normandy to accuse a French village of anti-US views in the meantime... 3- You read the Bible to claim that Israel owns Jerusalem. Wake up, a book that claims that Noah's ark existed cannot be considered as proof for the present times!!!

Netenyahu can deceive himself but can't deceive others. Do you think peace can be achieved without East Jerusalem Capital of Palestine? Do you think that Palestinians can give up AlAQSA MOSQUE and DOME OF THE ROCK? Force can impose everthing but not peace. UN established Israel in 78% of Palestine and UN also should establish Palestine in the rest of Palestine.

We've lost our soul already, davka by grasping the Holy Basin and bullying its inhabitants some of whom were already refugees after 1948. When people who have got homes can turf people out of the houses they have been allocated as refugees, onto the streets, just because they own the deeds, the soul is already slipping. But if those people who are now on the sidewalks can't at least claim their old homes back in exchange for being evicted, admit that we won't have a soul to lose when we relinquish the Holy Basin.

Actually I'm very familiar with much of Jerusalem's geography, Randi. Ramat Shlomo can be seen very clearly from Har Hahotzvim, I saw Gilo being built, fortress-style. I said Jerusalem is divided in more ways than one because of the totally separate populations it contains. I won't go into that here, you surely know. The myth about nowhere to put the Jews of Jerusalem I won't buy either. I knew Jerusalem when it had walls and checkpoints in it, I know where they were removed. We used to go into Jerusalem with Nebi Samwil in Jordan on one side of the road and Israel on the other. I don't remember one incident. No-one is asking anyone to give up the kotel. Har Habayit is the Waqf's in anyway. Annex Mevaseret Tzion to Jerusalem and build in that direction. If territory exchange can be agreed between the two sides to leave Ramat Shlomo and Gilo where they are, fine by me. But Silwan? Sheikh Jarrah? As long as you have access to your holy places, why do you need to own them?

Nobody messes up with Joe from Trenton Pennsylvania.

The U.S. under the current administration is incredibly arrogant where Israel is concerned. Please remember the promises of G_d - the land is yours. Jerusalem is yours. Hold tight.

Kadima campaigned on stopping settlements and yet they boomed because she got a friendly u.s president. Bibi always gets stuck with the democrats. This project started 8 years ago when olmert was mayor and advanced two years ago when settlements were announced during rice's visit when she was meeting with livni. Bibi has stopped all new construction permits and is dealing with kadima's settlement momentum and leaving bibi with a bad hand.

The timing was stupid. Heads should roll. But on principle Israel is not doing anything different from what Clinton and the Americans have long known about and supposedly agreed with i.e. Israel has not put a freeze on building in East Jerusalem. The Americans have moved the goal- posts unfairly. As for the Palestinian Arabs who truly don't want a state if it means living next to a Jewish one they continue to profit in their own idiotic way by not doing anything but complaining and threatening.

She put politics ahead of country. Right got 65 seats and left without arab parties got 44 seats and yet she demanded to be PM. In head to head polls bibi was leading livni by 51 to 36 percent in average of all the polls so she only had a support of a small niche and not broad support throughout the country. Livni could have been foreign minister in charge of all diplomacy and peace process and kadima could have gotten housing minister but she refused.

Poor her ,they are equal opportunity haters ,don't hear scream " I'm a good Israeli ,I would submit pronto !"

Two failed wars under livni, iran controlling gaza/egypt border. EU upgrade was cancelled under her watch. costa rica el salvador moving embassies from jerusalem End of relations with mauritania, no more trade offices in oman and qatar, goldstone report for politics. Livni loves to appease people that can't stand israel

In 2008 when Rice visited she was asked about the 1,300 homes that were just announced for ramat schlomo in a meeting with livni. Livni at the time said nothing and didn't call for the system to be changed and didn't blame olmert. So this is utter hypocrisy. It is a jerusalem district committee appointed by jerusalem city council members. Livni did the same thing last year when eu cancelled the upgrade in relations during the gaza war. She said nothing at the time then when bibi took office she held a press conference blaming him and wrote a letter to the EU not to stop the upgrade because of bibi when it was cancelled during her watch and she said nothing. Hasn't she caused israel enough damage with an open gaza/egypt border and iran flowing weapons through and she was the architect of that plan.

Obviously Albertico you are in no hurry to be "corralled" and "judged" by the "Almighty" at the gates of Jerusalem, since you prefer to stay in the USA and have other people fight your holy wars for you.

We need a real prime minister, not a weak figure like Netanyahu who bows to everything that SHAS asks. We miss you Tzipi!!!

there is no obvious division between east and west. the neighborhoods obama has been complaining about (gilo, ramat shlomo etc) are not in east Jerusalem as obama says, but in northwest and southwest jerusalem. the eastern portion, where arabs live, is the holy basin (Old City, Kotle, mount of olives etc). If Israel gives up the holy basin, we will have lost our soul. if we give up the south and north and east, we will give up security and we will have no place to put the jews of jerusalem.

The final solution is so obvious: provoke the Palestinians and the Muslims with the ultimate provocation: Level the temple mount (using the same 9/11 WTC technology) and when they respond - and they will - drive them into Jordan and across the Litani river (and prepare for the next 'push'). This is the the Zionist method. Everything else is mythinformation.

Over the past 60 years the Greater Israel Project has painted itself into a corner: Retrest to the pre-1967 line or 'Final Solution'. Please remind me, why does that term sound so familiar?

Unfortunately Mr. Nehanyahu had to form a coalition with Shas and Yisrael Biteinu to form the government. Had Ms. Livni taken up the offer to join with him and form a unity government, he would not have had his hands tied by the extreme right. From over here it seems that Israeli politicians act in their own self interest first rather than in the interests of the country first. My apologies for interfering in local Israeli politics from far away. My children did not have to sacrifice their lives to ensure Israel's survival. I do what I can in other ways.

And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; TEKEL, you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting; PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians

Anyone with eyes in their head can see that Jerusalem is divided and not only between East and West. If people like Mr. Elkin really have such difficulty seeing what's in front of them, there's nothing a good optician couldn't do to improve matters. That's if it's physical. If it's mental, perhaps Mr. Netanyahu should be thinking about replacing some of his nominees?

Livni shows a lack of knowledge of her Jewish Religion. The nations of the world will come after Israel because of Jerusalem. In fact it is stated they will come to the doors of Jerusalem and the Jewish will be corralled. At that moment the nations will be judged by the All Mighty. Based on the historical evidence it is a safe assumption how the judgement is going to go.

under the strain of ensuring that Israel's ties with the United States remain strong. And if the ties between Israel and the United States does not remain strong then Netanyahu will be thrown out by the normal decent Israelis who don't really follow the nitty gritty of Israeli political life. But realise that Israel cannot survive without close ties with the United States of America. Announcing the rebuilding of East Jerusalem during Biden's visit was probably a fatal error for Netanyahu's coalition, if not for the dreams of the nuttier Israelis opf a greater Israel with lebensraum to the East.