Netanyahu declares 10-month settlement freeze 'to restart peace talks'

judging by your ramblings, your understanding of the events you mention is limited to a single, biased perspective. it seems that perhaps you've relied on resources that reflect your preferences by presenting a subjective view that omits anything that contradicts it...more commonly known as "propaganda". i'm not going into any details for you jon, because i've found that it's a huge waste of time trying to point out historical facts to someone who has been indoctrinated by propagandists. however, i will suggest that you try locating some "objective" resources that present a more complete picture of the events. it's mighty presumptious of you to "think" that you have some sort of monopoly of knowledge on the subject...and more than just a little pompous. and by the way, the "palestinians" who chose to stay in 1948 are not just like my wife. they are israeli citizens by default; but they do NOT enjoy the same treatment, rights, or privileges, as do non-palestinian israelis. like i said before jon, hypocrites are those that see something they know is wrong, but turn their eyes away and pretend it's right.

1967 is a fact. Arab wish to destroy israel in 1948, 67, 73 and today, is a fact. Arabs have done nothing to properly show the world they are responsible enough to have their own state is a fact. Other arab countries have manipulatively left their brothers in squalor to keep them out of their countries and to keep them angry is a fact. bottom line? natanyahu offered a very good freeze, not a take it or leave it like the saudis, and it was an offer of good faith for the pals to start to sit down and negotiate. the bottom line is, they have nothing, and will continue to have nothing until they sit down. I feel bad for all of the jealous jew haters on this site. It's sad seeing such pathetic people wasting their time. Israel is a legitiamte historical jewish land. We love life, they love death. We grow oranges, they stitch together suicide vests. Israel is moral, gorgeous, proud and democratic. They could have flattened all of the arabs decades ago. I love being jewish. We are special

yes, canada was genocidal too. I however am not a hypocrite like all of you because I understand what 1967 was about, let alone the founding of the PLO in 1964, before any so called occupation, not to mention arab rejection in 1947 and of course 1948. you all however are calling israelis colonialists when you know damned well that it was a defensive war, and that land which was previously JORDAN and EGYPTIAN was used to attack israel. and by the way eric, arabs who chose to stay in 1948 are still full israeli citizens, just like your wife. The fact is, how far back does your history go? 1967 is history too, and if the so called pals want it back, maybe they should profile themselves differently rather than through violence, murder of civilians, rocketing etc...If you demand israelis move, then I say equally, so should you. Israel gave up gaza unilaterally, and what happened? your all hypocrites and really just veiled jew haters.

CJ frpm Australia, Someone who comes from that continent,Australia,should have the decency to shut-up when talking about others. Hey! Where are the Aborigines ? What have you done with them ? You stole their Land ! You stole their children ! You enslaved an entire People ! And now you,above all people point fingers at others !? Remove the wool from your eyes !

attempting to undermine the validity of criticism directed toward israel for what it's doing TODAY, by making comparisons to events in america during LESS enlightened eras 300-100 years ago, is pathetic; unless perhaps its purpose is to demonstrate the racist and archaic views towards human rights and morals that are reflected by israel's continuing encroachment into palestinian territory and the oppression and humiliation that accompany it. jon, i personally feel NO guilt over what happened in my country over the course of its history. i rue many of the events it has perpetuated and i empathize with the victims of its many atrocities; but i'm also very proud of how it's turned out. it's TODAY that counts the most jon, today and tomorrow, and the generations to come. i'm married to a native american who i met in the military and i work and mingle with hispanics and native americans who all share my pride in OUR country. your little comparison, like ALL other attempted analogies to the mistakes made and wrongs commtted in america's past, omits the fact that american indians and native hispanics are full-fledged citizens of the united states who enjoy the exact same rights and privileges as do ALL americans. the united states is a work in progress, and it may not ever be perfect, but it's at least three steps ahead of canada, and miles ahead of israel when it comes equality of rights and opportunity for all its citizens. the hypocrites are people like you, jon. people who see something that they know is inherently wrong, and yet turn their eyes away and pretend that it's right.

Response to CJ from Sydney on "gassed Jews" Nothing to do with today's Palestinians. "The Mufti of the Palestinians at the time sent his own brigade of Palestinians to fight alongside Hitler!" A) He was Mufti of Palestine, chosen by a Jew. B) He didn't send Palestinians to fight next to Hitler C) Not today's Palestinians. "the living Palestinians were not these soldiers" Not even Palestinians. "much of the international community blame Israel today for the "occupation" it started under Ottoman rule in the late 1800`s" Today's Palestinians are not 'much of the international community'

You leave one speechless and your rhettoric is all too familiar. Hate is clouding your judgment!....PEACE EVER?

Peace and land annexation cannot co-exist. We both know what Israel wants which you apparently support but why all the empty rhettoric and propaganda it conceals nothing to any rational thinking person! The nuts in this world are the (unquestioning) believers!.......PEACE EVER?

attempting to undermine the validity of criticism directed toward israel for what it's doing TODAY, by making comparisons to events in america during LESS enlightened eras 300-100 years ago, is pathetic; unless perhaps its purpose is to demonstrate the racist and archaic views towards human rights and morals that are reflected by israel's continuing encroachment into palestinian territory and the oppression and humiliation that accompany it. jon, i personally feel NO guilt over what happened in my country over the course of its history. i rue many of the events it has perpetuated and i empathize with the victims of its many atrocities; but i'm also very proud of how it's turned out. it's TODAY that counts the most jon, today and tomorrow, and the generations to come. i'm married to a native american who i met in the military and i work and mingle with hispanics and native americans who all share my pride in OUR country. your little comparison, like ALL other attempted analogies to the mistakes made and wrongs commtted in america's past, omits the fact that american indians and native hispanics are full-fledged citizens of the united states who enjoy the exact same rights and privileges as do ALL americans. the united states is a work in progress, and it may not ever be perfect, but it's at least three steps ahead of canada, and miles ahead of israel when it comes equality of rights and opportunity for all its citizens. the hypocrites are people like you, jon. people who see something that they know is inherently wrong, and yet turn their eyes away and pretend that it's right.

as the sordid American enterprise. In most cases the British reached treaty terms with the First Nations peoples. Not that there wasn't abuse and error, on both sides, and not that all claims have been resolved, but effort was and continues to be made.

"AKA a counter-offer. Not a rejection." It didn't fit the Clinton parameters, therefore, it was a rejection of those parameters.

Bill Clinton`s biography, page 938. "On the twenty-seventh, Barak`s cabinet endorsed the parameters with reservations, but all their reservations were within the parameters, and therefore subject to negotiations anyway. It was historic: an Israeli government had said that to get peace, there would be a Palestinian state in roughly 97 percent of the West Bank, counting the swap, and all of Gaza, where Israel also had settlements. The ball was in Arafat`s court." Hussein Agha and Robert Malley: "In his December 23, 2000, proposals-called "parameters" by all parties-Clinton suggested an Israeli annexation of between 4 and 6 percent of the West Bank in exchange for a land swap of between 1 and 3 percent. The following month in Taba, the Palestinians put their own map on the table which showed roughly 3.1 percent of the West Bank under Israeli sovereignty, with an equivalent land swap in areas abutting the West Bank and Gaza." AKA a counter-offer. Not a rejection.

Bill Clinton's biography, page 938. "On the twenty-seventh, Barak's cabinet endorsed the parameters with reservations, but all their reservations were within the parameters, and therefore subject to negotiations anyway. It was historic: an Israeli government had said that to get peace, there would be a Palestinian state in roughly 97 percent of the West Bank, counting the swap, and all of Gaza, where Israel also had settlements. The ball was in Arafat's court." Hussein Agha and Robert Malley: "In his December 23, 2000, proposals-called "parameters" by all parties-Clinton suggested an Israeli annexation of between 4 and 6 percent of the West Bank in exchange for a land swap of between 1 and 3 percent. The following month in Taba, the Palestinians put their own map on the table which showed roughly 3.1 percent of the West Bank under Israeli sovereignty, with an equivalent land swap in areas abutting the West Bank and Gaza."

Me: "On the table was an unprecedented offer from Israel (...). The Palestinians rejected the offer and showed their face then too. " OOO: "Could you tell me exactly how and when the Palestinians rejected the offer? I was under the impression that the negotiations ended because the parties ran out of time" You're under the wrong impression. The Israeli cabinet accepted the Clinton parameters and Arafat didn't approve of them -- which amounts to a rejection of the parameters. "By the way, I don`t quite see what you mean when you say that Israel is doing all the concessions. In my opinion abiding by international law is not exactly making concessions. " Was it international law to allow the PLO into the territories? Was it international law to recognize the Palestinian government? Was it international law to allow entry into Israel for work? What is your international law? To remain ethnically cleansed from territories in perpetuity?

"On the table was an unprecedented offer from Israel (...). The Palestinians rejected the offer and showed their face then too. " Could you tell me exactly how and when the Palestinians rejected the offer? I was under the impression that the negotiations ended because the parties ran out of time, with the upcoming Israeli election. Comments from both the Israeli and Palestinian negotiators seem to indicate that as well: "We made progress, substantial progress. We are closer than ever to the possibility of striking a final deal," - Shlomo Ben-Ami. "My heart aches because I know we were so close. We need six more weeks to conclude the drafting of the agreement." - Saeb Erekat By the way, I don't quite see what you mean when you say that Israel is doing all the concessions. In my opinion abiding by international law is not exactly making concessions. And Israel wasn't even prepared to give back all the land it took. Meanwhile it demanded substantial security concessions.

"Ethnical cleansing is a despicable act, no matter by whom it is done. So of course I agree that it was wrong of Jordan to act as it did. It is probably impossible to return their lost assets but those who suffered from those acts (both Jews and gentiles) should be entitled to restitution. Just as there are many other people who should be entitled to restitution... " There is no need for, "restitution," since the Jews were able to reclaim their properties. You pretend it was wrong for them to do so. "By using the words "move back" you are seriously misrepresenting the issue at hand." Not at all. "First of all it indicates that the people in the settlements are the same people that were expelled." No, it doesn't. It indicates that the owners reclaimed their properties and that time has moved on since then. The land owners reclaimed and developed their properties. Do you think large communities should remain undeveloped because you don't like that it's Jews doing the developing?

Ethnical cleansing is a despicable act, no matter by whom it is done. So of course I agree that it was wrong of Jordan to act as it did. It is probably impossible to return their lost assets but those who suffered from those acts (both Jews and gentiles) should be entitled to restitution. Just as there are many other people who should be entitled to restitution... By using the words "move back" you are seriously misrepresenting the issue at hand. First of all it indicates that the people in the settlements are the same people that were expelled. Secondly it indicates that they merely return to what was theirs. Thirdly you are forgetting that the settlers are trying to make the captured land into Israeli land. The Jews who were expelled from the territories in question did not live in Israel, they lived in what was meant to become Israel's neighbour state. Israel has no legal claim to that land whatsoever, it belongs to the future Palestinian state.

"Jon, how about you agree that two wrongs make two wrongs and together we can condemn all wrongdoers?" Do you agree that it was wrong for Jordan to capture the territories and kick every single Jew out of the territory? Or was it simply "wrong" for Jews to move back into the territories 19 years later and develop their reestablished communities?

"Now, this is not the first time Israel will be showcasing the root of the problem. One can argue that Gaza disengagement led to the realistic physical dangers to the Israeli south and in turn led to direct confrontation with Hamas. So one can ask how many times and for how many years can Israel showcase the root of the problem, only to be denied or dismissed in that regard. " I've thought about that quite often. Another example is when the Israeli cabinet approved the Clinton Parameters in December 2000. On the table was an unprecedented offer from Israel of 100% of Gaza, 94% of the West Bank, a 3% equivalent land swap from Israel -- for a total of over 97% of the territories -- a capital in East Jerusalem, no bantustans, some immigration into Israel, etc. The Palestinians rejected the offer and showed their face then too. How soon people forget that the Palestinians and their supporters demand 100% without concessions -- except all the concessions are supposed to come from Israel.

Long time no talk to you!!! When it is all said and done, with another country or two each day repeating what Israel must do, I think a Pal state will be created by fiat!!! If they wait on Netayahoo, and others of his ilk, there won't be land left. All eyes are on Israel. When I looked at the US resolution supporting deep sixing the Goldstone reort, there were MANY nos and abstensions. Could the US tide be turning? I predict J-Street will become dominant. Hope so. Regards.

Who knows what is on Palin's mind? However, the Repubs are distancing themselves from her, Beck and Limbaugh. I think Levi tells the truth that she just decided to make money, no problem. Her statement that within the "next week, month and YEAR" Jews would be leaving the US was totally off the wall. Jews I know are laughing and talking about it. She wants Jesus to come in a hurry so Jews have a second chance to accept him. If not, well, according to her beliefs, they will be destroyed. High regards. Ballistic.

First of all I just wanted to point out that it is pretty funny that you mention land stolen from the native population of USA but disregard that the same thing happened in Canada... Anyway, you can't use historical atrocities to justify atrocities committed today. I'm sure someone must have told you that two wrongs don't make one right... Back in the good old days Europeans used to burn women who were accused of being witches. Is it your opinion that Israel should start doing that as well? Slavery was very big as well, time for a return? I know for a fact that lots of Christian leaders found the idea of crussades simply irresistable. What do you say, is it time for the Christian armies to once more teach the barbarians of the world how to believe properly? There might have to be some raping and pillaging as well, that was all part of a proper crussade after all. Jon, how about you agree that two wrongs make two wrongs and together we can condemn all wrongdoers?

for not negotiating? Their friends are starting to come up with everything but the kitchen sink as to why not.

"settlement freeze will prove israel really wants peace"~bibi oh really? "we do not put any restrictions on building in our sovereign capital" "we will not halt existing construction" [and the most telling declaration comes with] "we will continue to build synagogues, schools, kindergartens and public buildings"... in other words: we will continue building the settlement infrastructure because we have no intention of changing the status quo. so what exactly is it that netanyahu claims to have frozen? the answer is absolutely nothing!

D: "If all the neocons in AIPAC like it then take it to the bank it`s no freeze. " No need to look that far: both Benny Begin and Moshe Ya'alon have come out strongly in favour of this "freeze". What more information do you need to know that it's a scam?

" East Jerusalem must be a part of this freeze, otherwise...it is not enough to re-start talks." Okay, don't restart talks and you'll continue having what you've always had: Nothing. If there's any group which more stupidly defines the axiom, "Beggars can't be choosers," it's the Palestinians. They've set such unrealistic parameters for their demands, with an "all-or-nothing," attitude to boot. Then they whine about the, "nothing" they wind up with.

just what plan she has for "all Jews living in the US" - forced migration to Israel? Cheers.

I urge everyone to go here: http://www.state.gov/video/?videoid=52607607001 and view the video of special briefing by George Mitchell. Sorry, guys, if you see that video you'll see that Mitchell simply does not believe Netanyahu, and does not accept that this is announcement is good enough for the USA to get off Netanyahu's back. Good enough to shift the Pals? Maybe. Maybe not. But the USA is not going to embrace this announcement as the be-all and the end-all, and there is CERTAINLY no hint that the USA will now blame the Palestinians for any failure to move to direct negotiations. A very interesting briefing indeed.

How wonderfully Hasbarah of Netanyahu. Because this appears to be a 10 month construction freeze EXCEPT for construction that can be completed within 10 months. Those can continue. So what, exactly, is being "frozen"?

Start building again? Hope that war against Iran has got underway to distract from a full-on invasion of the West Bank, the Gaza and south Lebanon up to the Litani River? The One State bi-national solution is the only solution.

The question can be asked how big of the price is to pay in temporary suspension of construction realistically threatening Israel only in delays of such constructions and sort of political crisis within vs. excellent PR move. Now, this is not the first time Israel will be showcasing the root of the problem. One can argue that Gaza disengagement led to the realistic physical dangers to the Israeli south and in turn led to direct confrontation with Hamas. So one can ask how many times and for how many years can Israel showcase the root of the problem, only to be denied or dismissed in that regard. I guess for as long as the Pals encouraged by the Arab machine `play this game` in the ever evolving anti-Israeli forces around the world.

The only thing they are omitting is what will follow: the conflict taken into the hart of Israel and her slow erosion from the combination of proximity of extremist threat and demographical erosion. Even than the `notorious` anti-Israel crowd will explain how Israel had created its own problems and `deserves` the outcome for all the years of occupation. The construction within Israeli boundaries that will be ceded to Israel in exchange for land in any agreement resulting in Pal state is not the actual problem but an excuse. The gap between the reality of Israeli secured existence as the Jewish state and what the Arab machine want Israel to exist in (providing for the realistic soil that insures the continued erosion of Israel as the Jewish state) is the core of the conflict.

..A huge concession from Netanyahu, and the anit-Israeli buffoons STILL complain.. Well, what do you have here in anti-Israeli crowd? 1. `Closet` anti-Semites who line themselves with the extremists. The major difference is when the later openly reject Jewish state in its entirety & proclaim `liberating` Pal lands by expedited eradication of Israel with whatever means possible, their supporters use extreme noble, humanitarian excuses like naqba. Or support any realities creating potential eradication of the Jewish state in the future under something like basic rights of Iranian state to the nuclear weapons. This kind is going to ride Israel regardless of what they propose or do. 2. The moderate peaceniks divided into `blind parrots` of the Arab propaganda and intelligent, educated groups lining themselves with the moderate Arab machine. Attempting to rewrite 40 years of history and realities by shoving Israel behind 67 lines and implement right of return.

Shouldn't Israel have a precondition also that certainly makes sense to all concerned."Proof that Palestinian negotiators represent the will of the majority of Palestinians in the region."??

... because he realizes that now Bibi must offer the Pals a chunk of Israel sovreign territory, in lieu of what the settlements are occupying on the Pal West Bank... ... anything less than that totally unacceptable, not only to Obama...

Virtually Hardman of Belfast seems to have been rubbed up the wrong way. Where he comes from has one of the highest unemployment rates. Sectarianism is the order of the day. And most of the people are illiterate and most appropriately named CHAVS. And this is where Chavy Virtual Hardman is from!!! Hahaha Get some education will you, Victor Hardman.

As far as I'm concerned it is the arab league who is frozen and unless they so right now we have an unbalanced situation. Both they and Israel have declared a freeze. Nothing can move until there is a thaw. The next move is for the arab league. I recommend moving the pal refusees to their multiple Arab league countries.

It is true that today's Palestinians did not personally involve themselves in the atrocities of the Shoah...oh wait! The Mufti of the Palestinians at the time sent his own brigade of Palestinians to fight alongside Hitler! And yes, the living Palestinians were not these soldiers, but much of the international community blame Israel today for the "occupation" it started under Ottoman rule in the late 1800's.

... it means that Israel must provide alternative territory, dunam per dunam, for the Pal land that will be requisitioned for settlements...

Corey mentioned that land taken in war is illegal. This should go under the assumption that one nation attacks or invades another nation and takes over the land it invaded. However, in the case of Jerusalem, Israel was invaded and attempted to be destroyed by all the surrounding nations. It just so happened that Israel won that war...in 6 days. Does the same level of illegality count when one country is invaded from all sides and ends up with one of the cities in which it built a complete modern infrastructure and instead of commiting mass murder to the occupants (Palestianians) provide at least some rights including employment, political parties, etc?

First of all I just wanted to point out that it is pretty funny that you mention land stolen from the native population of USA but disregard that the same thing happened in Canada... Anyway, you can't use historical atrocities to justify atrocities committed today. I'm sure someone must have told you that two wrongs don't make one right... Back in the good old days Europeans used to burn women who were accused of being witches. Is it your opinion that Israel should start doing that as well? Slavery was very big as well, time for a return? I know for a fact that lots of Christian leaders found the idea of crussades simply irresistable. What do you say, is it time for the Christian armies to once more teach the barbarians of the world how to believe properly? There might have to be some raping and pillaging as well, that was all part of a proper crussade after all. Jon, how about you agree that two wrongs make two wrongs and together we can condemn all wrongdoers?

Most of the outcome has already been decided by the major world powers based on past Israel/PA agreements and modified Saudi Plan with land swap. Israel is split almost to point of civil war and Palestinians are even more divided with Hamas looking for more control. While this settlement freeze is misleading since no building is really stopped and new housing starts are only delayed but it is a step in following the Roadmap which may well lead to a 2 state one nation solution.

Each time Bibi makes an announcement to restart the peace talks, his announcement makes it more difficult to believe that peace will ever be achieved in that region. His new announcement is just a try to put freeze on the word freeze and start negotiating what is the meaning of freeze itself.

There was a time, when PM Rabin tried the same. We all know the results. One cannot but doubt that a certain wind of change is blowing. Is it a Hamsin, or a true icy blast from the past. Whatever it may mean, one must not ignore the coming backlash from the Far Right. PM Netanyahu is a brave and courageous leader, however whatever his strategy, it will fall on deaf ears, especially from the PA and without a doubt the actual essence of his statements do not fit in with the gracious president in Washington,vis a vis his personal vision for the future Palestinian State. The future of Jerusalem has always been the main attraction in this played out movie rerun. That alone is not for sale. Sharing some East Jerusalem barrio may just work. Even the PM would not dare such a tactic. Settlement land can be swapped. Jerusalem is the Jewish Capital. See you next year in Jerusalem. Good night from snowy Alps.

Hi Ballistic, You have a stronger stomach than I have. I really cannot stand more than 5 minutes of Sarah Palin. I didn't see any of it though, since I now live in Morocco. I will be so out of whack if I ever go back to Canada!

Nobody can stop Israel's occupation and settlements construction without Inernational interference i.e. severe financial, trade, and economic punishment.

I beg your pardon, I am a bit slow: You seriously claim that for Israel, governed by a Likud PM, to declare and implement a one-sided 10 month settlement freeze as a good will gesture to jumpstart negotiations with the Palestinians is a bad thing? You seem to have joined the settler movement.

I thought Arafat's wife is Christian. Arafat used to attend Christmas mass every year until Sharon became the PM. Christians abandoned Bethlehem and other cities voluntarily due to bad business after the occupation and Israeli control.

The Arabs don't like it? Tough!

What's good for the goose, is good for the gander. If you're freezing Jewish housing in the West Bank, freeze Arab housing within Israel. See how they like it.

That is what the Israelis are affraid of. They will loose the Majority.

you are correct that Saudi Arabia does not allow Jewish citizenship, and that is reprehensible. Saudi does not allow citizenship to Christians and others. BUT other Arab countries do. I think you need to find another excuse why it is OK for israel to take away what little is left of Palestinian land. Your facts and logic are in need of a refresher.

Don't know if you saw it but Sarah Palin was on all network news announcing her "ME policy", what a hoot. She says that "within in the next week, months and year" all Jews living in the US will be leaving for Israel!!!!!! Therefore, they shouldn't stop settlement building because all the US Jews will need a home there; and THEN the temple should be rebuilt (I guess she wants to knock down the mosque starting WWIII)---and then presumably Jesus will come and the Jews will either accept him or well, you know. She's hoping to run for President, the whacko!!! Also, on that Goldstone res from our Congress---seems like it wasn't exactly what the zealots said as not only were there many "NO" notes, but MANY more reps abstained!!!! Looks like peace is coming to Israel, either by edict or negotiation, pick is theirs. High regards. Ballistic

Never gonna happen, Tony. Thank heaven!

Well, why are you in Canada????!!!!!

May be Arabs friend of Israel would find this as a great gesture. Negotiations began when Arafat kicked out of Lebanon, discovered he either obey or become irrelevent. Since then the US and Arabs tried to cut the PLO to their liking. From 1983 to 2009, they negotiate and they may continue to do so forever. Shamir, once said that Israel can negotiate for hundreds of year until all Palestine is absorbed. Isreal is fouling themselves, if they think Abbas and his corrupt PLO, or Arab regimes would deliver anything valid.

Too little too late ... Israel should start building new homes in Israel for 500.000 Jews presently living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem when they will have to be relocated. That day will come.

Leaving aside for the moment the exclusion of Jerusalem from the freeze, the fact is that Netanyahu cannot freeze settlement activity. The radical settlers will ignore him, and he will be afraid to do battle with them on any major scale. While all the settlements are illegal, the ones that Israel itself declares to be illegal will continue to proliferate and expand.

it is not enough to re-start talks. East Jerusalem is illegally occupied Palestinian territory, just as the West Bank is. Israel must abide by International Law.

The right has so terrified the country the leftists have retreated, but actually Bibi then is obliged to backtrack on his famous promises and fulfill the historic role of the left and start and complete negotiations with the Palestinians. Politics is strange, but Bibi will be the prime minister to help see the birth of the Palestinian nation, and contradict his whole personal history. Good. It's about time.

I can't quite work out whether Netanyahu actually believes he can get away with offering what amounts to sweet FA or if he is procrastinating in the face of, at last, some serious pressure. So called "concessions" are no substitute for adherence to International Law which Israel is NOT above! Get used to that fact and the eventual sharing of Jerusalem won't be quite so painful.

We are not interested in playing games. A freeze means a total and immediate freeze in every corner of the occupied territories starting with Jerusalem; the only capital of Palestine. After that we would like to see a time table for the dismantling of existing settlements and the evacuation of settlers living in illegally built houses built on stolen land from the Palestinians.

CJ, acquiring territory by war is actually allowed if the entity acquiring the territory has been pulled into a defensive battle...1967 was a defensive battle for Israel, and any attempt to rewrite this history is a fabricated goose egg. * Israel Captured the Territories in Self-Defense: Israel took over Judea-Samaria-Gaza and the Old City of Jerusalem in self-defense, in response to aggression by Jordan and Egypt in June 1967. Former State Department Legal Adviser and former head of the International Court of Justice in the Hague, Stephen Schwebel, has written: ?Where the prior holder of territory had seized that territory unlawfully, the state which subsequently takes that territory in the lawful exercise of self-defence has, against that prior holder, better title.? * U.N. Security Council Resolution 242 Does Not Require Complete Israeli Withdrawal from the Territories: Resolution 242 requires Israel to withdraw ?from territories? captured in 1967, but the authors of the resolut

"how can we expect this from a people that in terms of civil and political maturity is still in children`s shoes." Or because they are actually grown-ups and smart enough to see another ugly deal from a mile away. Stop giving these deformed, better than nothing deals. A true 10-month settlement freeze would mean ALL CONSTRUCTION including settlements in East jerusalem and ones already in progress. Then the world would know Israel means bussiness. Give us a break, Daniel.

Then at least begin building nuclear shelters to protect the citizens of Israel .Obama is scared of Iran ,has lost the war in Iraq and Afganistan ,and is a beggar to the Chinese and a bully to Israel . Netanyahu is the small boy being bullied and is crying out for help , Israel is in great danger .

If all the neocons in AIPAC like it then take it to the bank it's no freeze. Not even a slush...

You may want to consider the following: Christian Arabs are being forced out of towns such as Bethlehem and other, by the muslims. Some are slaughtered, others feel the heat and just pack up and leave. The Christian polulation is down to 10% of what it was 15 years ago. Leave the Jews there after Israel pulls out and there will be bloodbath. They will not accept one Jew in their "country". And that Danish jerk calling for a one state solution - I assume you also want the Jews in Israel proper to be slaughtered as well. Open your eyes. Look around you - you are in danger from Muslims as well. And they will slaughter you first, as they despise those who tun on their own people more than anything

Did illegality stop Jordan from cleaning out all Jews from J'lem and WB? Since the world didn't see fit to do anything about it, it was time for self help. Israel offered it back for peace, but Jordan lost interest. There are two red lines here. Undivided J'lem is an Israeli red line. Perpetual resistance (read violence) is a red line of the Arabs. Israel accepts Arab's red line, so why can't Arab's accept an undivided J'lem?

also, what happens after 10 months?

It's a good chunk of time. It's not all the Pals are asking for, nor should it be. It excludes Jerusalem which should not be divided. Let's see whether Fatah can be brought into the fold without Hamas. Gaza can be saved for another time.

If you keep making these "painful concessions," like your offer at Bar Ilan to support an impoverished and weakened Palestinian "state" and now to stop stealing Palestinian land for 10 months, the Nobel Peace Prize should be taken away from Obama and given to you. I agree with Sari Nuseibeh that the Paletinian Authority should be dismantled because its main task is to collect garbage and pay salaries (with European money), which are things that the occupier (Israel) are not interested in doing.

Settlement freeze is unacceptable without halt in construction in Jerusalem, which the Palestinians want as the capital of a state.

"A rose by any other name is still a rose." And a freeze to any previously non-existent degree is still a freeze.

"corey - It`s illegal to acquire territory by war!!" If you were smarter, you'd realize that Jordan acquired the territory by war, kicked every single Jew out, and then attacked Israel again 19 years later. Jews were then able to move back onto the lands they were only absent from for 19 years. That throws an extra little dimension into your mindless "illegalities."

"The Teacher/Instruct - er...Just stop taking other folks territory for once." Get a basic clue that BOTH people lived on that territory for once. The only time that territory was without Jews was from 1948-67. That's only 19 years without Jews, brain trust.

Actions speak louder than words. Especially louder than Bibi's words.

East Jerusalem is viewed in the International community as part of the "Occupied Territories". This is specifically stated in several binding UNSC resolutions and the Geneva Convention very specifically states it is illegal to transfer a civilian population onto territory occupied in a military conflict. East Jerusalem's status must be resolved through negotiations and not Israeli unilateral actions. "Deal with it Corey"!!!!

Is he a Inuit, Cree, Mi'gmaq, Naskapi, Algonquin, Montagnais, Abenaki, Mohawk, Attikamekw, Huron or a Malecite? Never the less...The reason it is now illegal to acquire territory by war as Israel has done over the past 61 years, is because of the early colonialistas and empire builders. The US et al have stopped colonizing. Israel is still colonizing, after having been given, for entirely free, the territory for a home land state, on behalf of all Jewish folk.

Netanyahu is stalling again his new offer is not worth the paper its written on unless he amends it to include all construction in all occupied territory meaning east Jeruslem and Gilo

Majority wins

if the "real world" is a miserable place...it's people like you who make it that way

territory for once. "The Jews were mauled,their women folk violated. They were beaten murdered,gassed,& their valuables stolen.They were exiled from one land to another." By the Palestinians of today??? Strange, they were almost ALL children in the 1940's

A huge concession from Netanyahu, and the anit-Israeli buffoons STILL complain.

you just gotta love the hypocrite americans like mark lincoln, natalie durson, yaakov sullivan, and many others I am forgetting, who live in america, on STOLEN land, and profess to tell israelis, who HAVE historical legitimacy(unlike them), where they should or should not live. It's a real joke. They live on land that they genocidally ethnically cleansed of their native indiginous indians who were the rightful owners of the land and stuck them on crappy little reservations...I say to all of you hypocrites, you need to sell your homes and move back to your families countries of origin in italy, scotland, england(ireland, which really is british), russia, germany, australia etc..and speaking of australia, same for them and what they did to their aboriginals...aint it rich how they profess to not be anti semitic when they tell israelis where to live! ha! they come to a jewish israeli site to what? absolve themselves of their own guilt for where THEY live? Hypocrites...all of them...

but the simple reality is: "The Arabs never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity."

"Jerusalem is Israels...." When was it legally annexed to Israel? "..the spoils of war..." Been illegal for longer than modern Israel has existed. Jerusalem is actually Palestinian. http://wp.me/pDB7k-il

# 74 Hirz, And to think of it ! For years which looked like infinity. The Jews were mauled,their women folk violated. They were beaten murdered,gassed,& their valuables stolen.They were exiled from one land to another. The Christians,had no other god to pray to but to a Jewish god. Funny,isn't it ? Ah bully! & now also a militaristic nation ! Ha! Ha!. Nations that trod on us & said that the Jews were a class of merchants & shop-keepers,today they come to Israel to learn modern warfare ! And that's only in one field. Open any newspaper today,& you'll see out of all proportion: Israel here,Israel there.Israel is doing this,& Israel is doing that! Hey you ! Just get off our backs !

"...having failed to deliver on any Arab reciprocity at all for Israeli concessions.." Uh? What concessions? Here's the spare tyre from the vehicle we stole, we keep the rest, is not a concession and what have the Arabs of Israel's to offer? "Obama will have no leg to stand on.." He could decide not use the veto vote in the UNSC.....

A 10-month partial half-freeze, absolutely pathetic. Better face it sooner rather than later. Israel will rue that September '67 day when the first settlers crawled across the Green Line to steal land. Colonialist always lose in the end. Justice prevails.

crime at all. The settlers and their supporters have at least got that comfort from Netinyahu. For the while at least. Obama still holds the precious veto vote in the UNSC...

the spoils of war... the West Bank i understand, however Jerusalem will never be divided, never not be Israeli, and it is almost silly to think that it should, would, or could be.

As a Minister in the Sharon government, he spearheaded the oppostion to Israel's unilateral withdrawal form Gaza warning the nation of the consequences, which sadly proved true. Now he stands opposed to Israel's caving in to American pressure and acquiesence of the temporary abandonment of our right to Jewish settlement in the land of Israel. This is a bad precedent announced at a time when our "Palestinian Partners for Peace" congratulate the kidnappers of Shallit for their great accomplishment.

The settlers don't need permits. In the Land of Orwell (of Kafka ?) the permits are issued AFTER the building. And even if they are not issued by the secular, sinful government, they are PRESUMED to have been issued by God 3000 years ago. So there !! David

... and Jerusalem is not included... ... that's the-name-of-the-game... ... take-it-or-leave-it... ... all the hu-ha is just games...

Do you really think that Bibi's 10 month freeze offer will change anything...settlement growth continue in East Jerusalem and the West Bank now...and will continue during the freeze. This freeze is a superb sound bite...which of course accomplishes nothing because it changes nothing.

A rose by any other name is still a rose. A construction start freeze is not a construction freeze. The continuation of ongoing construction, much of which has been started during the discussions of the last few months in anticipation of such a reduction, ensures settlement expansion. Moreover, Israel continues to change the demographics of E Jerusalem to secure its theft. The Israelis dont want peace - except on their own terms, which are rejected by the entire world. They're just playing games, trying to look like they're trying. I hope Obama's not fooled. As much as I would like to see peace talks go forward, I can't blame the Pals for not talking until the stealing/expansion has stopped. Israel knows what it has to do.

what a joke, freezing settlements for 10 month is equivalent to a bully who stops hitting his victim while in class. eventually, lunch time will come, and the bully will hit his victim again. Israel is the bully.

facts on ground all in vain...i doubt the ashkenazi squatting in palestine will want citizenship there

int. law and int. community says so....so move over hymie

You are absolutely right. No country in the world besides Israel trust Netanyahu but he should know there is no Mr. Nice Guy in town.

to indicate that negotiations should begin with the Palestinians, and not to negotiate in the public forum a precondition towards meeting the obligations of the Road Map, where Jerusalem is addressed in stage 3 of the final status agreement as it is. The parties haven't even began building any trust between them so how can they jump into discussion on Jerusalem? The Netanyahu government announcement of a freeze or restraining construction in the settlements is significant enough to demonstrate the seriousness of their intentions towards peace, and two states side by side.

If Netanyahu really wants peace he should start demolishing the settlements built of occupied Palestinian lands. Flatening the settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem is an important condition for peace otherwise nothing happens.

Freeze =Expel. If you get no peace will you expel the Arabs?

because what it would actually take to make peace with the Palestinians would signal the end of the State of Israel as we know it. Netanyahu is totally handcuffed by the promises he made to get into office. Israel and her successive leaders have consistently painted themselves into a corner and have not the will or the capability of getting out. Maybe that is what the people of Israel want. Strange behaviour indeed.

This is a very wise decision since it will take the world's pressure on the Israeli goverment to stop the settlements, and will buy Israel time to show the world's governments once again that they don't have a partner who can genuinely seek peace negociations on behalf of its people. The world's goverments knows this and instead of seeking a unified Palestinian governing voice, it deflects the problem back to the Israeli goverment.

Palestine is not Saudi Arabia. That's a huge mistake. Palestinians view of jews is because they see them (rightly)as occupiers and oppressors. Palestinians are not all muslims and very far from being fundamentalists. Speaking of education what exactly is taught in Israeli schools apart from the usual propaganda ? what is the jews view of arabs ?

Having provided a 10 month "freeze" for atmosphere, the proper course for Bibi is now to instruct Mitchell to either deliver serious peace negotiations from the PA within one month, or the freeze will be permanently cancelled, and Israel will feel free to build where it likes, including in E-1, which will enjoy a massive Jewish construction boom whether Obama likes it or not. After all, having failed to deliver on any Arab reciprocity at all for Israeli concessions, Obama will have no leg to stand on, and the US voters and Congress were solidly opposed to his "freeze" demands to start with. The PA have failed to negotiate seriously since Rabin allowed the PLO to return from exile in Tunis, they have not honored one single commitment they made, or altered in any way Arafat's initial outlandish demands. With Hamas and its Iranian rockets in Gaza, PA has no credible way to recognize Jewish Israel and abide by a peace treaty, and they get no state anywhere without doing that.

'It would be nice if Arabs would consider a state in which Jews have full rights of citizenship.' Mike from NY didn't say Arab in the generic Jackie, he said Palestinian. 'However, look at Saudi Arabia as a prime example of Islamic tolerance for Jews. No synagogues, no yeshivas, not allowed to travel to certain cities.' Nobody suggested dual citizenship with Saudi Arabia Jackie, he was taking about PALESTINE. Social and religious development in Saudi is about where social and religious development was in Europe a few hundred years back, i.e. blind unquestioning belief to religious dogma and morality of the day. Palestine is considerably more secular and better educated, holds free elections and so on. I really hate the patronising view that Palestinians = Arabs = extremists, children who are 'not ready' for self-government yet and unable to accept some Jews living there. Sure there are some extremist Arab zealots around, just like there are lots of extremist Jewish ones. Jackie.

This fake freeze is for American consumption. Just to demonstrate to the uninformed. The Palestinians are not fooled. Neither is the US government. When it was announced two days ago, it was fake. It's fake now. But I'm sure it is designed to show the Palestinians off badly to the US news media who will buy in with gusto. This might draw the Obama Admin to the table. But Obama is not empowered to negotiate for the PLO.

The problem is Israel is violating the law and this is the overwhelming consensus in the International community. While the Palestinians are certainly not angels the world is fed up with Israel's policies of land confiscation, violations of internal law, ICJ rulings at the Hague and binding UNSC resolutions. Yes, let's get to SERIOUS negotiations and settle the Israel-Palestine issue NOW.

This so-called Settlement freeze is a lot of smoke and mirrors. It sounds like this has so many exclusions to it that it is basically worthless. Israel has consistently broken its word so why should we expect anything different now. The International community should accept nothing less than full Israeli compliance with Internal law and binding UNSC resolutions. Those who disagree are advocating they are above the law and can break it at their own choosing.

it matches the value of any agreeemnt that might be made with the poas !!! A VALUELESS PIECE OF PAPER !

There is nothing on the Palestinian side remotely suggesting a peace deal so Netanyahu sees no reason to baby them with concessions. There is no Palestinian change on 1967 border demands or ROR or acceptance of a Jewish Israel. Netanyahu wants to leave the West and the Israeli electorate the idea that he is a man of peace.

I'm so tired of seeing people here attributing characteristics to all Palestinians (and, to a far lesser extent, to all Israelis). When people say things like "this ethnic group can't be reasoned with since they only want our destruction" and "that people doesn't want peace" they show their true colours. Such individuals are not only treating millions of people as if they were in some way sharing a single mind and are reducing the opinions of these millions to those of a radical few, they are also contributing to the spread of hatred between the two peoples. It is a ridiculously stupid thing to do and it serves no good purpose whatsoever. I suspect most of these individuals even know what they are doing. It is nothing short of blood libel and it should be condemned by all sane people. Hatred for other peoples based on their ethnicity is what led to the holocaust, if we forget it could happen again. No rationally thinking individual believes that ethnicity makes someone into a murderer

A 10 month settlement freeze is a delaying tactic and not a compromise.

This is a good start but there are so many holes in this offer that it will most likely go nowhere: 1. Excludes thousands of homes under construction, excludes public buildings, exludes East Jerusalem where Israel is busy building/evicting Arabs 2. What happens if there are differences (most certainly will be) between parties? If the Pals don't accept the E Jerusalem deal then Israel will go back to building settlements in the WB? 3. Why 10 months and not indefinite? Smells too fishy to me

michael have you ever lived in the real world ? the place real people live in not cuba ??

It would be nice if Arabs would consider a state in which Jews have full rights of citizenship. However, look at Saudi Arabia as a prime example of Islamic tolerance for Jews. No synagogues, no yeshivas, not allowed to travel to certain cities. I don't think, with the Arab view of Jews which is being taught in PA schools, your idea of a single state would work.

The actions of our government in Israel is making us look so freekin' bad worldwide. I can't even talk about Israel anymore or even say i am an Israeli or a Jew no matter how our leaders justify things anymore. To the world, it is a black and white picture and nothing is grey. Give them their land, water and airspace back and stop making us look like criminals for God's sake!!!!! Let all live in dignity and please no more pictures of hungry and homeless Palestinians to circulate worldwide to stab us in the heart. Get it?????

There is one basic flaw in Netanyahu's logic. The palistinians, do not want peace. The muslems only want to destroy the Jewish people. (The chosen elect of God). As far as the east and west. They only want the oil to continue to flow out of the arab countries. The only people that really care about the Jewish people are the true Christians. Good luck Israel and God's blessing.

would prove that Israel truly wants peace. Anything else is purely for show.

I guess the GOI will be happy with a declaration by the Palestinians that they will freeze all "resistance activity" for the next 10 months. Except of course, those that have already been planned, and those that will be carried out in Jerusalem. Or am I missing something?????

A settlement FREEZE would prove Israel was interested in peace. A settlement pause where no new permits would be given for a few months while construction continued on prior projects would prove nothing but perfidy. Bibi Netanyahu finds himself in the situation of Iran with it's nuclear program. He has proven himself to be untrustworthy by his prior lies and prevarication's. Only by acts may he change minds, word will accomplish nothing.

That's a smart idea. however, I don't think Palestinians will agree to have uninvited strangers within their borders, especially those belong to the species of neo-neo-neo-super colonialists. A to Netanyahu, he will have to crack down all this settlements anyway, once a peace treaty is signed. There is no country in the world, apart from Israel itself, which will agree upon annexing conquered territories captured in the 6-days-war. Limiting the freezing of settlements to 10 months is another lie, another maneuver in the process of irresponsible Israeli politics which eventually will lead to a new war.

certainly shows me how sad Israel,s side is when they have friends like you. Missed the social skills part of your education--huh Chapari.

Isr occupies Arabs unhappy not satisfied outraged.(in this its a normal thing) but again in turkish we say 'the one who falls because of his stupidity dont have the right to cry' before they sold massif land to jews and they refused a right of every nation= establishing their own state and attacked it failed miserably attacked again and again failed. they stabbed the ottomans in the back by helping a colonialist empire who would suck all goods in their land. they made discrimination no tolerance to other religion which their religion forbids. discriminated other races in their own religion. now isr makes the thing they wanted they re not satisfied? no way to satisfy them. they re always hostile so why isr is wasting its time. the only language they understand is violence and construction on their land. that will force them to make peace. they wont understand the value of their belongings without losing it!

with his fellow UDA/UVF cellmates. (Not that I am an IRA supporter either.) Has not left belfast ---yet. Did not qualify for the early release under the Good friday agreement---still considered a threat to his neighbours and society in general. Gee I wonedr why???.

When have the settlers cared about permits? They get their permits retroactively anyways. There's nothing in this statement about actually forcibly restraining them, and the exclusion of East Jerusalem just makes the whole thing an even bigger farce: "the prime minister will ask the security cabinet to approve a temporary suspension on construction permits for new residences and the [actual] start of new residential construction for a period of ten months" Thank heavens Bibi is doing his part to dispel the anti-semitic myths of Jewish perfidy, greed and deception, huh?

Wasn't Gaza enough? Continous shelling into Israel and kidnapping of soldier, that led to all out war? what more do they need??? Let them do something first to heal wounds, not Israel for HEAVEN'S SAKE!!!!!

Volkswagon. A riddle. How to put 4 Elephants in a Volkswagen ? Answer: 2 in front & 2 in the back ! But to put all these foolish, good-for-nothing dart throwers as their only passtime in their dreary & uneventful life reeking with laziness, one would have to bring in a semi-trailer to dump them all in. Bibi ! Are you yellowing your pants ? Haven't you learnt; The more you give,the more they'll want ? Especially when dealing with Arabs ! They'll never be satisfied. Never ! Listen ! Give nothing away ! Build IF you think it's in your/our interest & not because of the whims of this Administration,or that !

Good---looks as if Obama has turned the screw at least one turn. This is good--now lets see how much the right wing wackos turn it in response. One way to get action is to get Netanyahu,s gov to belly up. Then after a brief "civil disturbance", maybe the les extreme elemnets of Israeli society will rise above the slurry and get to grips making a serious effort at peace and saving what is left of Israel. Before it becomes part of a Bi National State with Justice for all it,s citizens.

First Natty Yahoo goes to Washington to meet Obama. Then Clinton 'misspeaks'. Then Natty does a lot of posturing. Then HE has the idea that he will advance a peace deal. I rather believe that there were a lot of power politics creating a desired result.

Danish Queen could interchange with the Swedish King in leading the SverDan State. Tony Silver ,an English dole reciepient in Denmark forgot British RAF planes bombed hospitals in Belgrade to prevent "One State" solution for Serbia and Kosovo. Apply your Pol Pot ideas to the "One State of GB and the Whole Ireland"

say what you want, hardcore-bibi does not really want peace!

that is yours.' But they can't Petra, the Israelis won't give then building permits.

The world will not protect us because we are just. We must do what we can to protect ourselves from ruthless, murdering thugs.

We all know the differences between the Israeli promises and the realities in the past. I want to believe this time is maybe different. The USA has obviously put a lot of pressure on behind the scenes, nothing else would explain this shift by Netanyahu. Maybe just maybe he has gone as far as he can with his right wing chums and got a 10 month freeze, on condition it doesn't apply to E J'sem. But the reality is that Israel can't build in Jerusalem at the moment anyway, Obama has already fired a warning shot about Gilo and this is getting very close to a public punch-up with the USA. Abbas has to be realistic here. He can say publicly at the outset that all settlement building is illegal, including in E J'sem. He can say privately that any further announcement of building in E Jsem and he's out of the peace talks on the spot. But he must take this opportunity to get talks started and not wait for a 'perfect moment' that will never come. Talks do not cost anything.

One State may not be the best solution but it's the only one that's left. There is already a de facto state, from the Jordan to the Med. Let's accept that and try to make it democratic, as you say.

qwertyguy East jerusalem is arab land for their future state, was never eccept by the all world the ennexation by Israel!!

freeze in east jerusalem is well! Without is just a ballon full of air!

The Pals are a figment of the imagination. They are the token victims for the Arab world. Arabs have rejected peace since the 40's.They have missused billions that was to improve the life of the people. Look at the top 10 corrupt counties in the world...oh what a surprise!!! 8 are Arab countries. The so called Pals need to pack up their old kit bag and move to one of the 20 or so Arab lands. Do you oppose all those Arabs having their own countries? Why are you against Israel having this sliver of land? Because you are an idiot, antisemite, terrorist loving, why dont you move and go live amongst your friends, see how long your ass lasts.

"time for the arbs to go home to arab palestine ie jordan !" There was a time a few months ago Vicky when you weren't posting at all. Now you're back in all your fanatical fury. When did they let you out?

except that there is a part of the loot the criminal is unwilling to return.

So a ten month freeze, excluding appartments already started, means zip, nil, nada

The only answer is to keep building on the land that is yours.

time for the arbs to go home to arab palestine ie jordan !

stop looking for the crock of sh-- at the end of the muslim rainbow !

Can't even Ha'aretz get it right? Or was this copied from Reuters? "predominantly Arab East Jerusalem" I believe that for over 15 years, there have been more Jews than Arabs living in the areas (north, south, and east) of Jerusalem over the 1949 armistice line. So in what sense is "East Jerusalem" "predominantly Arab"?

Bibi has carefully calculated this bogus offer. He has calculated that he can offer this without splitting up his coalition. He has calculated that the Pals will reject it, which, of course, they will since it's an offer with more holes in it than a Swiss cheese. He is hoping that when the Pals reject it, he can then do the old Israeli trick of turning to the Americans and wailing 'we would love to end the occupation but we have no partner for peace!'. It's a thoroghly cynical excercise, much what you'd expect from Bibi in fact. However, I think he's calculated wrongly, because basically both the US and Europe now understand his little tricks and hopefully won't be fooled this time.

Aside from the questions (1) Who will monitor, and (2) Any exceptions allowed, we have the much more important question, (3) WIll Israel pay any penalties if they completely disregard the freeze? Normally, in this kind of situation, Israel will promise a freeze and then double construction. It is nothing new.

no room for thawing out. Try again Netanyahu---

... why can Israel have a freeze with lots of new houses?

If the IDF will expel Jews from their homes for "peace" will the IDF expel Arabs if the is no peace?

From the article..... What's new then "The construction freeze will not be implemented in predominantly Arab East Jerusalem, which is viewed by Israel as a separate issue to be discussed in a final status agreement with the Palestinians." "The freeze will also not apply to construction that has already been authorized or to work on public buildings conducive to normal life in the territories."

10-month settlement freeze, enough time to bombard Gaza again, provoke Hamas retaliation (bombings, rockets etc) then Israel will declare : "see, there's no partner" !! and build again !! Same old game by Israel !!

The Palestinians will never cease demands of Israel because ultimately they think Israel is illegitimate and should disappear. That's the root of the problem, and it's the reason the West Bank came into Israel's hands in the first place. They will not make peace with Israel for a thousand years, freeze or no freeze.

There certainly will be lots of exceptions to this alleged freeze. Nothing to give him credit for.

Palestinian politicians will reject it, as they have rejected any previous offer. For peace and cooperation are some kind of wisdom and a healthy pragmatic sense of reality needed, how can we expect this from a people that in terms of civil and political maturity is still in children's shoes. Long long way still to go.

Make it clear to settlers that if the land upon which settlers reside eventually becomes part of a Palestinian state, these settlers will become Palestinian Jews who will travel on Palestinian passports and spend Palestinian currency. They`ll see Palestinian doctors in Palestinian hospitals. Palestinian police will investigate crime and Palestinian firefighters will put out their fires. They`ll pay taxes to Palestine. Israel has Arabs. Palestine will have Jews. It`s the same thing. Settlers,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, enjoy!!!

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 Democracy. Let us call it :?State of Holy Land?.

Since Netanyahu became P.M.While the Palestinians are having a building boom.

while negotiations take place between Israel and the Palestinians towards implementing a peace agreement based on the Quartet's Road Map and advancing a comprehensive Middle East peaceful region, and hopefully with Iran as well.

i totally agree with u jim?that a freeze means everything n for ever?cause peace if they really want then it should be on justice n fairness n for ever n not just 10 months,i agree?(ameen).

Others - Palestinian and Israeli monitors - can help in providing additional data.

Bibi can call it what he wants but it is meaningless......A freeze means everything! And not for 10 months.......PEACE EVER?

except for this, except for that, in other words he is announcing nothing!

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 Democracy. Let us call it :?State of Holy Land?.

10 month settlements freeze plus no East-Jerusalem plus "construction already authorised" Are palestinians suppose to accept that "peace plan" ? come on !! israelis don't want to pay the price and never intended to.