Peres to EU: Israel has every right to build in Jerusalem

One wonders what God meant in Joel 3:2: and what would God do if Israel took land that God did not give the Jews, and oppressed the people of that land. When God offered the land of Canaan to the Israelites, he also said in Judges 2:21-23, IN THE FUTURE I WILL NOT EVICT ANY OF THE NATIONS THAT JOSHUA LEFT IN THE LAND WHEN HE DIED. The Jebusites, who built Jerusalem, and by many historians and scholars are considered the forebears of the Palestinians, were there when God said that. Thus God made it quite clear that Jews cannot claim all of Palestine. Since Jews have no legal title to any land outside the borders specifically detailed in UN resolution181, the current Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory is a violation of international law. And, Jewish religious beliefs do not supersede international law. If international law had to conform to the beliefs of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Shintoism etc., there would be no international law.

One wonders what God meant in Joel 3:2: and what would God do if Israel took land that God did not give the Jews, and oppressed the people of that land. When God offered the land of Canaan to the Israelites, he also said in Judges 2:21-23, IN THE FUTURE I WILL NOT EVICT ANY OF THE NATIONS THAT JOSHUA LEFT IN THE LAND WHEN HE DIED. The Jebusites, who built Jerusalem, and by many historians and scholars are considered the forebears of the Palestinians, were there when God said that. Thus God made it quite clear that Jews cannot claim all of Palestine. Since Jews have no legal title to any land outside the borders specifically detailed in UN resolution181, the current Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory is a violation of international law. And, Jewish religious beliefs do not supersede international law. If international law had to conform to the beliefs of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Shintoism etc., there would be no international law.

Peres thinks claiming "its right, its right" makes it right, the man is a delusional old fool

J: "I see no difference between the war of aggression by Saddam in 1990 and the Israeli war of aggression in 1967." There is one difference, and it is called "the eye of the beholder". Morris looks at the Iraq of 1991, and he sees a nation ruled by a monster. Ergo, Iraq's attack and subjugation of Kuwait was Evil Incarnate. Morris looks at Israel in 1967, and he sees a nation of heros led by an wise and enlighened government. Ergo, Israel's attack and subjugation of the Sinai, Golan Heights, Gaza Strip and West Bank was an Act of Heroism under the direction of a Wise Leadership. But if you strip away the "Israel-is-always-the-victim" jingoism the ACTIONS of both were very similar i.e. a strong nation launched a surprise attack upon a weaker opponent, and then used its victory to pursue long-standing colonial expansionist ambitions. Morris will NEVER see that, but that is because it does not fit his world-view, and so it must be rejected.

Morris Valentine, it is indisputable that the European Union has this as its policy: 1) This is all occupied territory 2) All of this occupied territory is subject to the articles of the Geneva Conventions 3) Those Geneva Conventions insist that the colonization of occupied territory by an occupying power is UNCONDITIONALLY PROHIBITED 4) Therefore any "settlements" that Israel builds in any of this territory is ILLEGAL. Now, you - and Old Man Peres - can argue until you are blue in the face that the EU has it So Terribly Wrong, and you are both simply wasting your time. The position of the EU on this issue is crystal-clear, and it ain't gonna be changed merely because you and The Old Fart say otherwise.

I see no difference between the war of aggression by Saddam in 1990 and the Israeli war of aggression in 1967.

Someone please educate Peres asap (although it might be a waste of time),

We need to understand that when God gave the Land Of Israel to the Hebrews the "People of God" conquered the land and ruled off and on for many centuries, and the Canaanite losers either lived with this out come or died, or moved else where to live when the Hebrews ruled the Land of Israel. Now in the modern times the Hebrews once again conquered the Land of Israel, and the Canaanite losers already either moved on or died. Unfortunately the Hebrews let a lot of the Canaanite SQUATTERS to stay in the Land of Israel. IF the loser Canaanites recognize the TRUTH that the Hebrews WON THE LAND AND IT IS THEIRS AS LONG AS THEY CONTINUE TO WIN IT AND KEEP IT, Israel MAY let some live in the Land of Israel that was given to them by God, if not get the hell off the Land of Israel you squatter Canaanites so called by some as Palestinians now. Call them any damn thing you want, but losers are what they are, and to the losers go not a damn thing.

One wonders what God meant in Joel 3:2: and what would God do if Israel took land that God did not give the Jews, and oppressed the people of that land. When God offered the land of Canaan to the Israelites, he also said in Judges 2:21-23, IN THE FUTURE I WILL NOT EVICT ANY OF THE NATIONS THAT JOSHUA LEFT IN THE LAND WHEN HE DIED. The Jebusites, who built Jerusalem, and by many historians and scholars are considered the forebears of the Palestinians, were there when God said that. Thus God made it quite clear that Jews cannot claim all of Palestine. Since Jews have no legal title to any land outside the borders specifically detailed in UN resolution181, the current Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory is a violation of international law. And, Jewish religious beliefs do not supersede international law. If international law had to conform to the beliefs of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Shintoism etc., there would be no international law.

Now your acting like your 'real' self. You always talk your "peace", but your actions invariably reflect your true sentiment, which is no different than any right wing Israeli politician. But this good! Both the Europeans and the U.S. need to hear that, over and over and over again. Because there's a reason the EU and the U.S. don't recognize your illegal occupations, and everyone concerned knows the picture of equitability you attempt to paint does not exist. And so your echo of Netanyahu and Lieberman, while perhaps being a bit more diplomatic, is bound to reinforce the already hardening European stance against Israeli policy. Keep up the good work!

Israel has no more obligation to follow the demands for jerusalem from the EU than France has an obligation to follow the demands of the US for Paris! The world needs to stop catering to the thugs and leave little Israel alone! And when I condem the world, I am not leaving out my own country. We are as guilty as the rest.

changed for ,what ,hundreds of years ? Change it first ,as demanded by EU before expecting Israel to adopt to your whims

"...its construction policy in the capital has not changed for 40 years." That is just the point ! It is high time for a change ! There is a need for new faces with a new policy !

I believe Israel is only 9 miles across, a tiny little place in comparison to any other countries in the middle east. If Israel keeps on giving into the demands of other countries, they will end up on the Sea. Why is it that a tiny little Country is the attention on the whole world? You decide..... Rose

Moses, your history doesn't start before 'you' arrived here. Me, as a far-away descendant of the Canaan would like to remind you that 'we' strolled through those neighborhoods before 'you' came. Therefore I will come, grab 'your' land, since it was 'mine 3500 years ago. Of course....Come over from NY, I will show some more. For Vicki, you refer to a book, written by Isrealites, claiming that they got the land from God. Hmmm, pretty convenient to see that as a deed. Where did God sign for it then? You are a religious moron, that instead of preaching your religious values, using religion for politics. A very old trick and not very worthy for the religion of the 'chosen' people. I found in a Donald Duck my deed on the land of Israel, so now I will show you that Donald Duck, says that God Dagobert told me it is OK, and I will come and take your land, house, life and future. On basis of what? A story in a bookie ...

Deed was rescinded. Luke 21:24 Much like the other 2 times. Third times the charm!

Israel is the only land deeded to a people and those are the Jews. That's God's land, given to them! Read what happens to nations that part that land in Joel 3:2. It is written in the Bible, the Torah...it's their land! Deeded!

wow Mr Cummings. I am impressed. How do you know all these "illegal" neighborhoods? Have you been there? Since you spend that much time on geography, spend a little more on history. It will teach you that Jesus and Mohammed didn't exist while we were strolling those neighborhoods.

Israel does not illegally occupy anything. Read UN SC Res 242 and try to understand what it actually says. Israel does not have to withdraw from an part of West Bank under Un law and under the Geneva Convention nor under any other international law

" the palastian were devoured by the arabaian who came from all araba countiries by othman (turkish emperor) using them for agriculture. and so for many years they brought theirs sheeps,donkeys and cameles to settle in israel. the existing so called palastian are arabs whoes brothers and sisters live in lebanon,syria,jordan,egypt,iran iraq etc.they became share holders without god deed approval" Then when god said "would you like a brain?" you thought he said trains and you said you already had a set. Ok brainiac so now that you have estabnlished that they've been living there for centuries what are you trying to prove? You just felt like saying "so-called"? I doubt very much you originated in the Middle East. Theres a village out there absolutely missing its idiot somewhere in Europe. Go home they need you.

'You know, the conqueror has "reserved the right" to colonize a conquered city, and so that "right" is now unimpeachable ... Why didn`t Saadam think of that when he conquered Kuwait City?' I will let you debate the legality of Israel's building practices with others. I am not very accommodating of the Israeli position on this issue. But I will never agree with drawing any similarity whatsoever, between Sadaam Hussein's war of aggression against Kuwait, and Israel's defence of its existence, on three fronts, against Arab nations intent on Israel's destruction. If you are going to argue this point, do so based on facts and legal principles, and not by drawing historic parallels which exist only in your mind. MV

What nonesensical reasoning. Flouting international law for 40 years, and illegally transferring your population into occupied land, does not somehow give you the right to CONTINUE to break international law.

we don't need you, but you veryveryvery need us. You may choose, what you want - if you want export your jewish products and have goos bussinesses, you MUST accept ALL international law and ALL basic human laws (which have Palestinians too, because they are human beings); or if you want isolation, then you can build a occupy and murder and thieve and destroy and other. But then you don't wonder. In the Czech Republic are many people, who never buying products from Israel. You should think about, why...

fifty years years of war and killing can be stopped for one year of not building small price to pay that one year build where theres no problem to build

Israel can't have it all. The government has to choose between peace and the illegal settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. It's a pity some right-wing Israelis and settlers keep destroying any prospect of peace.

Bibi: If you want peace, consider this comment: Tell the world that all E. Jerusalem construction will cease while indirect and/or direct talks with Arabs are underway. If the talks do not start, build away.

Israel can't legally build in East Jerusalem as it's part of the occupied Palestinian territories. If Peres wants to build, let him build on the Israeli side of the city, in West Jerusalem. I can't imagine the American governement building in Mexico City and claiming it's American land. Why would Israel build in East Jerusalem when it fully belongs to the Palestinians? Peres may want to attend a few classes on International Law.

Your colonial right... UN, US, EU and the entire world begs to disagree.

If the Isreal Lobby thinks they can discredit General P, They are gonna be in for a rude awakening. The miliatary is the biggest lobby in Washington.

Well it doesn't help Israel coming out sounding like a pure fool. He should be put in a home and cared for.

the palastian were devoured by the arabaian who came from all araba countiries by othman (turkish emperor) using them for agriculture. and so for many years they brought theirs sheeps,donkeys and cameles to settle in israel. the existing so called palastian are arabs whoes brothers and sisters live in lebanon,syria,jordan,egypt,iran iraq etc.they became share holders without god deed approval

Could someone hit this weasel on the back of his head? Israelis think that by keep saying and repeating something makes it true. Well, It has been working for a while until the world realized that the Israelis themselves starting believing their own lies. Until Israel's existence is threatened, the israelis will not budge. We might as well fast forward to a battle with Hizballa+Iran+Pals+Syria+Jordan(perhaps) and clip israel's wings a little. This time I think they may do more than clip her wings.

israel cannot set conditions unilaterally while criticising abbas for asking for pre conditions which had already been set out by the quartet in the past, namely: freeze all construction in the w. bank and in east jerusalem. israel should join the quartet and abbas in meaningful, fruitful talks leading to the creation of a palestinian state.

... existing homes in their own traditional neighborhoods, let alone balconies or additional toilets for naturally growing families... such ammenties are only reserved for 'natural growth' of settlement housing on Pal WB territory...

EU to Peres; No you don't

The Israeli newspapers are doing more damage to Israel than the Arabs, IDF or anyone else. The pen is indeed mightier than the sword. I am all for free speech but stop blowing things out of proportion. There was no 'War of Words', no 'Sparks Flying'. The Israeli media love to antagonise and even demonise their governement. All these high-powered headlines are nothing and should be taken with a pinch of humus.

Either he simply doesn't get it anymore because of his age, or he wants to save his legacy when it comes to mainstream and right-wing Israel. I suppose it's a combination of both of them. But hey, we are all just human, we all have our Ego, some folks have a bit less of it, some folks have a bit more.... ....good old Shimon Peres definitely falls into the latter category.

"we have been building for 40 years and it has never got in the way of the Peace Process".Ha ha, it is amazing. Can't he hear for himselves how it sounds or have they all gone bunkers over there? I am sure that if Israel builds for another 40 years the President of Israel will declare:'We have been building for 80 years and it has never got in the way of the Peace Process'. In another 40 years:'We have been building for 120 years and it has never got in the way of the Peace Process'.

"President Shimon Peres told visiting European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Thursday that Israel reserved the right to build in Jerusalem," Oh, OK, that makes it legit then. You know, the conqueror has "reserved the right" to colonize a conquered city, and so that "right" is now unimpeachable. Why didn't Saadam think of that when he conquered Kuwait City? Biff! Bam!!!! Whammo! Hussein: I got dibs on Kuwait! See! See! Bush Snr: Damn! The man was too quick! Sorry, Peres, the EU insists that all Israeli construction in East Jerusalem is illegal. And as far as the EU is concerned your claiming "dib, dib, dibs on East Jerusalem" doesn't make that construction "legal".

him distorted information. Poor man will never know truth...

... of the present reactionary government...

Arabs have the same right Mr. Peres, especially in E. Jerusalem.

Sure they did. What a liar. What peace process? Ogh the one that keeps getting trashed? Hes nuts.

... and in traditional Jewish areas in East Jerusalem, without encroaching on traditional East Jeruslem areas of Pals...

Peres to EU: "We've gotten away with this for forty years! Yes, yes, we know. That's not a good thing, but thanks for bringing it up.

... since when have the Pals agreed that it is OK not to give them buidling permits for homes in their own neighborhoods?... now settlers are building in Pal neighborhoods... why is that kosher, with or without permits...? this is an attempt to bamboozle Ashton...

Sorry Peres. Seems like nobody's buying.

Israel is so blinded by its own propaganda claims, it spouts gibberish sometimes. It can build in W Jerusalem proper, no one is objecting to that. But 'proper' means within the city boundary that existed until 1967 - NOT the illegal, land-grab boundary Israel unilaterally imposed in that year! It was illegal because Israel is only the OCCUPYING power, it has no legal authority to interfere in the civil administration, change civic boundaries, impose Israeli domestic law there, annex land or build jew-only homes on occupied territory. Let's spell it out simply for Peres: All Jew settlements built on seized Bethlehem gov. land are illegal - Gilo, Givat HaMatos, Har Homa etc. Alll those built on seized Ramallah gov. land are illegal - Ramot Shlomo, Ramot Alon, Pisgat Ze'ev etc. All built in the municipality of E J'sem are illegal - Ramat Shlomo. Ma'ale Dafne, E Talpiyyott etc. Because they're illegal, you CAN'T build more settlement units there. Is THAT plain enough for him?

Quote article Peres: "This policy was carried out in accordance with all relevant parties including the Palestinians, he said, and has never interfered with the peace process." Double talk & self delusional, not sincere & hypocritical...etc...vintage Peres. Habaytah Adoni, yallah!

ad the US have payed us handsomely for it and we would like to continue that relationship'. Seemingly unaware of the New Sheriff in Town syndrome Peres steps into it with both feet. He couldn't have picked a worse time. The Israeli press have kept a vital info from reaching the Headlines and that is General Petraeus assesment that Israeli settlement policies are endangering US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and aiding Al-Qaida. With this vital information kept out of the equation Israel still banks on their Happy Clappers in the US to side with the Israelis. Not this time though, if there is one thing that unites ALL camps in the USA, it is the support for the troops abroad. Maybe Peres made a calculated blunder or he has totally and utterly lost it if he for one nano moment think that ANYBODY in the US will question Petraeus loyalty to his country. Yes Israel have used this tactic for over 40 years and not only got away with it, but been supported for it. Not this time though.