Netanyahu, Mitchell fail to strike deal on settlements

The people of Israel need to WAKE UP and vote the right-wing out of power. This is the only chance Israel has for peace, and the right wing is squandering it. The right-wing war mongers appear to want nothing other than a full scale military conflict in the middle east which will spell disaster for Israel. The good people of Israel need to stand up, and stand up now and force their leaders to enact diplomacy and solve these problems once and for all.

us and world subordination to Israel's right wing has to end. Remember, "you can't give in to terrorism" even when Likud and Moldovans are the culprits.

It has been revealed in Israeli news media of late that Mr. Shalit (1) was refused repatriation by both Israeli and US interests, and (2) Hamas wants to be rid of him, but Israel and USA likes him just where he is, and (3) he was captured in Lebanese territory (not kidnapped in Israel as we've been lied to) but no-one high up wants to admit that. Let's sort THIS out before we go pointing fingers elsewhere, shall we? (I'm SO looking forward to visiting for the holidays! Shalom everyone.)

Here is a news alert for you: A narrative is not a fairy tale just because you don't believe it. The Master of the Universe does not need to consult a little person who calls himself BBSNews. The Master of the Universe holds title to the entire planet and can give any part of it to anyone He chooses. Israel was created 3000 years ago. As for Allah, he is only the moon god. Small potatoes, compared to HaShem. And HaShem will have the last laugh.

Netanyahu-Lieberman lack the vision to wage peace. They are comfortable with expansionism and exploitation. Israel has failed to be an effective partner for the USA. Israel leaders persist in damaging the stature of the USA. It is time for economic sanctions against Israel.

These endless negotiations have gone on far too long. The settlements are illegal period!! This is clearly stated in the 49th article of the Geneva Convention and please spare me the semantics. UNSC Resolution 465 also demands that Israel remove them. There is only one language Netanyahu understands and that is firmness from Obama. The choice should be clear from the U.S. Freeze the settlements or ALL U.S. aid to Israel will be terminated. No exceptions period!!

when are you going to get it into your thick head that the usa is committed to the 1922 mandate as territory . that the anglo - american convention of 1924 is us legislation !

...some collection of fairy tales from thousands of years ago have nothing to do with it. After all, there is no invisible skydaddy handing out land deeds. Shudder! What if that skydaddy was Allah?

I won't finish that sentence . The construction of settlements, outposts, whatever, and the demand of Palestinian recognitio of Israel as the Jewish nation-state are part of Israel's starting position for negotiation, just as the demand for "Right of Return" and Jerusalem as capital are part of the Palestinian starting position for negotiations. Should Israel cease construction of settlements, this cessation immediately be touted by the Palestinians as the new Israeli starting position. In other words, any change in Israel's settlement policy at this point in time will weaken Israel's ability to make demands of the Palestinians. So whatever one may think of the settlement enterprise, it must be continued for the time being.

and no matter how you look at it, building 3000 homes with an option open for essential buildings is NOT a freeze in the eyes of the US and all sensible countries. And without a real freeze it will be difficult if not impossible to persuade the Arab countries to make gestures to Israel.

Till Gilad Shalit is home safe and sound no talks are worth having.

The whole land of Israel belongs to the Jews through God`s eternal covenant with them thousands of years ago, so they can build where they like, this is already only a tiny piece of the land that God originally gave them. God`s promises will stand in the end!

Settlements are illegal. They're costly to the Israeli government, and they will be more costly to remove and tear down and relocate people. Israel is really slapping the face of USA in many ways and over time. There will be a cost to pay for that: gaurantee foreign loans; military aid package and donations. UN veto power may not be supportive in the future. Israel must understand that the current policy is making their best ally, USA, vulnerable in (US's) national security.

it is all or nothing. Why Israel needs to build in places it should not be in anyway. They are negotiating Iran style: talk forever and establish facts on the ground. Does Obama have the guts to slap Nitinyahoo?

There is no other deal. The bank robber must stop robbing banks. Truth is the Obama administration is simply going through the motions. In time they will lower the boom on Israel in the form of monetary penalties and then on to diplomatic -as in the un veto button at the un. So keep up the good work Netanyahu---we all look foward to the day that the UN declares the State of Palestine and watch Israel scramble to try to explain how all that came to pass. I must admit--I like a little carnival.