U.S. 'dismayed' at Israel plan to build 900 homes beyond Green Line

"Despite the Egyptian army [...] it stayed in Jewish hands ... " (peter sm) Who are you trying to fool? Up to June '67, Gilo never was in Jewish hands. "During the 1948 War, the Egyptian army positioned its artillery at Gilo [...] but Gilo remained on the other side of the Green Line until 1967." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilo

That Arabs ever went along with the conditions of #242, which were voided anyway after they saw fit to attack on Yom Kippur 1973 Takes two to Tango, they didn't want to dance

It probably is a waste of time to tell you this. Because if you dont know it already, you probably won't retain it. It is irrelevant who started the 1967 war. It is just as irrelevant who owned the disputed land. But, for your information Jordan occupied the West Bank and Jerusalem. The UN passed resolution 181, under that resolution Israel declared statehood on 14 May 1948. UN 181 allowed for the formation of a Jewish state and an Arab state side by side. On the next day, Jordan occupied the West Bank and Jerusalem until the 1967 war. Israel occupied all the Palestinian territory in the war. When Israel refused to withdraw from the occupied land it became in violation of international law. It is in violation of numerous UN resolution and 3 articles of the 4th Geneva convention, and thus in commission of a war crime.

Lord Caradon ?It was from occupied territories that the Resolution called for withdrawal. The test was which territories were occupied. That was a test not possibly subject to any doubt as a matter of fact East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza, the Golan and Sinai were occupied in the 1967 conflict. It was on withdrawal from occupied territories that the Resolution insisted.? ?The principal of ?inadmissibility of acquisition of territory by war? is clear. That requires a ?withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories occupied in the recent conflict.? And the Resolution went on to stipulate that withdrawal should be ?to secure and recognized boundaries.? ?The attempted annexation of East Jerusalem, repeatedly and unanimously condemned in the United Nations, and the policy of creeping colonization on the West Bank and in Gaza and the Golan have threatened any prospect of settlement and peace.? ?These actions of the Israeli Government are in clear defiance of the Resolution 242.?

will stop it's illegal activities and withdraw to it's actual sovereign territories? Meanwhile, PLEASE point out the UNSC resolutions against Australia.....thx

"i tell my government, the US government, stay out of Jerusalem affairs, period." The US is a UNSC voting member it IS the US's business what Israel does outside Israel's actual Sovereign borders. "..do not interfere in the municipal affairs of Jerusalem as it will not be included in that state" Israel has NO legal right to institute Israeli civilian law in non-Israeli territories. " it is already the capital of Israel" It was illegally annexed.

There is not one word, in all your lengthy comments about Res. 242, that can sustain Joe Frazier's assertion (#122) that East-Jerusalen is not occupied territory and that its annexation was not a blatant violation of all the UN SC Resolutions on the subject.

or decided to intentionally ignore it, pay note to the following "This literal interpretation was repeatedly declared to be the correct one by those involved in drafting the resolution. On October 29, 1969, for example, the British Foreign Secretary told the House of Commons the withdrawal envisaged by the resolution would not be from "all the territories." When asked to explain the British position later, Lord Caradon said: "It would have been wrong to demand that Israel return to its positions of June 4, 1967, because those positions were undesirable and artificial."

The U.S. is dismayed ? Oh how sad ! Why don't you also bring some of your friends & help to build Gilo ?

#242 had a lot more to say, Termination of Hostilities and all that sort of stuff "Withdrawal from Territories The most controversial clause in Resolution 242 is the call for the "Withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict." This is linked to the second unambiguous clause calling for "termination of all claims or states of belligerency" and the recognition that "every State in the area" has the "right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force." The resolution does not make Israeli withdrawal a prerequisite for Arab action. Moreover, it does not specify how much territory Israel is required to give up. The Security Council did not say Israel must withdraw from "all the" territories occupied after the Six-Day war. This was quite deliberate. The Soviet delegate wanted the inclusion of those words and said that their exclusion meant "that part of these territories can remain in Israeli hands." The Arab states pushed for the word "all" to be included, but this was rejected. They nevertheless asserted that they would read the resolution as if it included the word "all." The British Ambassador who drafted the approved resolution, Lord Caradon, declared after the vote: "It is only the resolution that will bind us, and we regard its wording as clear." This literal interpretation was repeatedly declared to be the correct one by those involved in drafting the resolution. On October 29, 1969, for example, the British Foreign Secretary told the House of Commons the withdrawal envisaged by the resolution would not be from "all the territories." When asked to explain the British position later, Lord Caradon said: "It would have been wrong to demand that Israel return to its positions of June 4, 1967, because those positions were undesirable and artificial."

Since you're so far from the action, the best you have is second hand news from a media source of your choosing Just a back seat driver pretending he's driving

Israel within the green line , which you and courts claim to be Israel , before 1967 ??? This is the heart of the issue .

beside , could you name the country who own the disputed land before Israel ?? Scwaters living there do not count , there millions like those living all over the world , but it does not mean they are the owners . For your info , that land was illegitimately colonized for centuries by foreigners .

Then you'll be able to answer a simple question "Your Parsha was"??? You see, we've run across loads of fakers that claimed they were Jewish or used Jewish names in their attempts at deception Take a moment, answer the question

What Israel wants? Certainly is not peace. The people of Palestine have their rights, including housing. Israel and Palestine must understand that they must live in the neighbourhood with safe borders. Unfortunately, I think that behind the scene has a huge economic interest by the big contractors and politicians as well.

Using your twisted argument, Arab states in the Middle East are America's colonies because America pours $700 petrodollars annually to them and they depend on America for their security. It is time America twists their arms to comply with what America wants, that is, to stop sponsoring Islamist-Jihadist terrorism in the region and the world, and to stop usurping the tiny Land of Israel from the Jews.

PSM: "Despite the Egyptian army trying on numerous occasions it stayed in Jewish hands," This report makes clear that Gilo is "over the Green Line". So you are saying that a Jewish neighbourhood remained on the JORDANIAN side of the Armistice Line, but was not ethnically cleansed of its Jews between 1949 and 1967? That's your claim, is it?

You only know what the reporter wanted you to believe.

I wonder, don't you now these people speak with both sides of their mouth? Every time they sit down and sign an agreement with the Palestinians they have prepared the statement to be issued when they deny it. Who can trust them? Obama?

Your heart is in the right place. It is maybe the only one here...

Despite the Egyptian army trying on numerous occasions it stayed in Jewish hands,the Arabs haved used it for target practice from Beit Jala.Civillian targets of course.

Thanks for the reply - you've restored my faith in human nature - once a settler, always a settler, and the devil take the hindmost!

Can't you tell the difference between an opinion of a former U.S. Ambassador to the UN AND international law? "The first point addressed by the Resolution [242] is the 'inadmissability of the acquisition of territory by war.' " www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/UN/meaning_of_242.html

SDHD: "Meanwhile, there is no autonomous state on those lands, so it`s up to the ruling power to allow what it will." You make an assumption that is not true: this "ruling power" is not a feudal warlord, and so it is not free to make up the rules as it wishes. This "ruling power" derives its authority from SOMEWHERE, and once you understand where then you can understand what the limits of that authority are. This "ruling power" is an "occupying power", and that means its authority derives from International Humanitarian Law and not (as you appear to believe) from the laws of the state that sent the Army of Occupation into this territory. Int'l Humanitarian Law does not grant an "occupying power" the authority to colonize occupied territory; on the contrary, that act is UNCONDITIONALLY prohibited by those laws. This is an illegal act, SDHD, by an unscrupulous occupier.

A people that work hard to advance knowledge in areas that serve mankind, such as curing polio? .... I could name hundreds of other examples, but you all can educate yourselves if needed.... Or a people whose total contribution to humanity was cheering and passing out candy when the towers fell?

SDHD: "Israel is WILLING to limit it to 'natural growth.' " How so, SDHD? SDHD: "1) Community expansion is part of natural growth." !!!!! Sunshine, "community expansion" is the very definition of "growth", because what is being "grown" is the "community". So if we accept your argument then all "growth" is "natural growth". Which means that all your logic has done is to make the phrase "natural growth" utterly meaningless. Which, of course, it always was.

AZ: "I can`t imagine why anyone should be "dismayed" on one who wants to protect himself !" You "defend yourself" inside occupied territory by "garrisoning" it. You don't "defend yourself" inside occupied territory by "colonizing" it. AZ: "Israel is entitled to do anything to ensure its security and in the case of Israel its very existence." That's called "self-defense". Remind me again, Akram, when "colonizing occupied territory" was ever considered to be "defending yourself". Coz it certainly does look to me to be "colonial expansionism".

But, tell me, when are you actually going to address the topic of this article? Any time soon, I hope?

"the Land of Israel belongs exclusively to the entirety of the Jewish people." (B. Gold) To the Jewish people, dummy, not to the state of Israel. Those who told you that the Jewish people is a member of the UNO are liars and false teachers. Don't listen to them.

ML: "Dismayed? Obama is dismayed?" Go here: http://www.state.gov/video/?videoid=50881031001 and watch the video of that press briefing. The scorn dripping from the reporter when he asks who in State came up with the word "dismayed" is priceless. As was Kelly's discomfort as he had to stand there and take the derision coming from the assembled Reptiles Of The Press. How humiliating.

"Gilo is Jerusalem." (shmuel) Why should Gilo, which did not exist when Israel captured the West Bank, 1967, be seen today, as an integral part of Jerusalem? In what aspect is it different from, say, Elon Moreh, a hard-line settlement embedded deep inside the West Bank? After all, both have been built on land that was, prior to the June '67 war, outside Israeli sovereignty. Just because all Israeli governments have been allowed, since that war and up to now, to flout international law with total impunity? That's not clear at all. Could you explain?

Joe quotes Goldberg (not Jewish, was he?) pulling off a masterful sleight-of-hand: "I never described Jerusalem as occupied territory. Resolution 242 in no way refers to Jerusalem and this omission was deliberate." Res 242 it doesn't refer to ANY territory (or city) by name, which means that if Goldberg's claim (i.e. if it wasn't named then it wasn't occupied) is true then Israel didn't occupy ANYTHING in 1967. Which is odd indeed, because Res 242 definitely says that Israel occupied SOMETHING in 1967. It says: "Withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict; " That statement doesn't split ANY hairs w.r.t. Golan/Sinai/WB/Gaza/East Jerusalem, and so logic dictates that either Res 242 considered ALL of them to be "occupied in the recent conflict", or it considered NONE of them to be occupied. Which one, Joe?

Mhm. Israelis are quick to quote their rights according to their religious texts and traditions, yet they are slow to remember that their God sees all. He did not always agree with their selfish interpretations... there is the diaspora, isn't there. I wonder why. If 900 approvals for Arab housing accompanied those for Jewish people in what is the capital (according to Israelis) of all people living in East Jerusalem, perhaps there would have been less trouble with these building concessions.

"... In 1967 Israel occupied the rest of Palestine. It refused to withdraw from the occupied territory and thus became in violation of international law..." A nation does not fight a brutal war against enemies only to simply withdraw at the end of it. There was no peace treaty.No agreement with neghboring countries to maintain a gov't in these areas. Egypt refused to govern in Gaza. Jordan refused to re-accept sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. Did (or does) anyone really expect Israel to retreat to its previous vulnerable positions? That's lunacy. What many people seem to forget is that there was never a "Palestine" or a "Palestinian Government" to "return" any land to. Israel has repeatedly been threatened and attacked by neighboring areas (and it continues to this day) with some existing sovereign gov'ts claiming they cannot control all militias in their territory. The concept of withdrawal or "return" in this environment is laughable.

Most Palestinians are the decendants of the Isrealites, forced to convert first to Christianity and then to Islam. Most of the Israeli (92%) are NOT decended from the Israelites but rather Khazer converts to Judaism starting in the 6th century. The modern Israelis are NOT Semites and have NO biblical claim to the land. However, why shouldn't someone who owns the land, regardless of religion be permitted to build? They will likely become Jewish residents within the future Palestinian state.After all there are Muslim residents within Israel.

Fifteen years ago, we nearly purchased an apartment on the southern edge of Gilo opposite the valley separating Jerusalem from Beit Jalla, but decided on Mevaserret instead. No sooner had Jewish families begun to move in, then Arab snipers from Beit Jalla began firing at them while they sat in their living rooms watching TV. The Israeli government built a wall cutting out the beautiful view of the valley. I would have preferred that Israel send in bulldozers into Beit Jalla, instead. At least, we would not have to answer human rights activist's condemnation of our "apartheid wall". Beit Jalla residents can`t shoot through concrete, but give them the opportunity to create a terrorist state and they will be launching Iranian rockets, instead. Our government leaders that traded "land for peace" will respond by constructing a taller wall.

Those who are opposed use different diplomatica jargon. Obama seems not to care less, or is afraid of confronting Netanyahu on this for whatever reason.

Arthur Goldberg, the former U.S. Ambassador to the UN (in 1967) who helped draft the resolution, testified in regard to the omission of Jerusalem from Resolution 242: ?I never described Jerusalem as occupied territory. Resolution 242 in no way refers to Jerusalem and this omission was deliberate.?

I agree Yishai...it is Israel's land and your "sovereign" nation has every right to do with its land what it wishes. Please don't think that all Americans are against Israel. Some of us actually still believe in national sovereignty, and many of us support Israel. After all, you are our best ally in the Middle East. Remain strong against the pressure placed upon you.

Perhaps many here in the U.S. and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon as well, would be better served to adopt a new perspective. The realization that natural growth has and continues to occur must be accepted by those who oppose the essence of Jewish sovereignty and evidently, their right to exist in the international community.If not,then the international community must redefine respect.

U.S.:"dismayed' at Israel plan to build 900 homes beyond Green Line." It maybe dismayed but its not going to do anything about it.

Dismayed? Obama is dismayed? He is the man who castrated himself by kow-towing to Netanyahu. All Obama can do is sing soprano.

in history, as a failure Stimulus Plan didn't work Unemployment still rising despite his promise it wouldn't go over 8% (now it's 10.2) if he got the Stimulus Plan First President we ever had that bowed to foreign heads of state, Saudi King & Japanese Emperor Obama has quadrupled the National Deficit He's desperately try to shove his Health Care plan down our throats, as a payoff to SEIU All those deals he thought he made, none have come trhough, Iran & N. Korea to be specific We are now at the point where an American Army Major attacked us on our own soil, killing 13, wounding 38 Yes, he'll go down in history as a flop

your webpage, in the round file, next to the shredder

"[H]ow many proper homes has the PA built for its miserable subjects using all the billions of dollars that they`ve screwed out of the west?" Actually,they've built quite a lot of stuff. It's just that Israel keeps on bombing all of the homes and all of the infrastructure, and then stops building supplies from coming in for repairs or rebuilding. Mind you, if you kill enough women and children, not as many homes are needed.

The UN passed resolution 181. It created the legal authority for a Jewish and Arab state to be declared. On 14 May 1948, under UN 181, Israel declared itself to be the State of Israel. That declaration did not include Palestinian territory. In 1967 Israel occupied the rest of Palestine. It refused to withdraw from the occupied territory and thus became in violation of international law. How many times, and in how many ways must the nations of the world tell you Israelis that Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the annexation of Jerusalem are in violation of UN resolutions 242,452 and 465 and thus in violation of UN articles 49,53 and 147 of the 4th Geneva Convention, and therefore guilty of commission of war crimes. Dont say God gave you the land. Jewish religious beliefs do not supersede international law. If international law was forced to conform to beliefs of Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Shintoism, Islam, Taoism and Buddhism you wouldn?t like the world.

T: "#22 CJ , what is green line ?" It is the line where Israeli law - and Israeli sovereignty - ends, and where Israeli military law and Israeli military authority begins. So everything on one side is "Israel", and everything on the other side is "Not-Israel". Even the Israel Hight Court of Justice accepts that this is so, TOMY, and no unilateral act by the Govt of Israel can change that.

"Israel is not a colony of America. Israel is a sovereign country and it can do whatever it wants to do in developing its liberated homeland." As long as the US is paying the freight to the extent of several billion dollars a year, as long as the US sends Israel the latest aircraft with which it defends itself/attacks others, as long as Israel expects America to destroy Iran for it, then Israel is a colony--or at least a very dependent, uncooperative, and ungrateful ally.

You show them the British Mandate. They say it says something, anything, but what it says. You show them the British White Papers. They say is says something other than what it actually says You show them res 242, they say it says negotiate borders. It simply does not. It is a condition known as insanity.

How comes, I have never read anywhere the following: Let the Isrealis build nice new homes in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. When the Palestinians finally get their state in that area there are 2 possibilities: 1. The Jews continue to live there and become Palestinian residents. Just as there are Arabs in Israel or 2. The Jews move out or are forced to move out and the houses are Israels present to the new Palestinian state and Palestinians move in. No need for another 'ethnic cleansing' or Apartheid !

write the WH and Rahm will answer your email, but after he returns from the next war as a soldier of Israel...if you'd like, don't send it to Rahm, Axelrod can give you a great answer to your concerns as well...you've gotta be kidding, right???

Enough of appeasing the Palestinian zealots and anti-Zionists suggesting Jews should not build or live anywhere they want in Jerusalem. Racist laws and attitudes in the ME must be called out. The relevant Israeli law, that applies to all Israeli citizens (Jewish, Christian or Muslim) can build anywhere in Jerusalem ONCE RELEVANT MUNICIPAL applications are handled. This is the case with these units 900 units. This is not 'occupied Palestinian West Bank'. This is Jerusalem! Meanwhile the Palestinians have capital punishment on the books against any real estate transactions with any Jew (not any Israeli mind you, but any Jew). This reflects the genuine racist issues involved that need to addressed with real peace making, not the 'settlement' bs canard.

Obama, Ban, Arabs, UK etc. are all angry at Israel. Why? Who cares. It's none of their business where Israel builds. It's good for the economy. Israelis and Arabs have jobs. These objections are a self-fulfilling cause of the dispute by outsiders. When these outside complaints stop, so will the dispute lessen. People must realize that Jerusalem will forever be the sole capital of the Jewish people and is not negotiable to give away by anyone.

Equal status before the law, regardless of national origin, religion, sex, etc? What next, the Declaration of Independence? Jefferson's Separation of Church and State? The analogy between what is happening with the settlements and US law is a joke.

Since you don't want America to tell Israel what to do I hope you would not mind if one day the American people tell the government to stop sending our precious tax dollars to Israel, stop defending Israel in the UN and stop all military assistance to Israel. If Israel wants to do what it wants to do then it should pay the price which would mean no more U.S. money or backing. How does that sound to you?

Tomy, who said Jerusalem is the Israeli capital? International law says you are wrong. Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem in 1967. Because it has refused to withdraw from occupied land, it is in violation of international law. Israel is in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, 242 (1967),452 (1979) and 465 (1980), which make all Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the annexation of Jerusalem illegal. UN resolutions 476 & 478 declare that the Knesset?s 1980 declaration that Jerusalem united is the Capitol of Israel to be null and void and a violation of Article 49 of 4th Convention. Israeli settlements in West Bank are also in violation of Article 49, and Articles 53 and 147 of the 4th Geneva Convention and of the 1st Protocol article 85 of the Convention. These violations constitute a war crime.

Here are a few things that you should know, if you don't. 1l. The Jewish National Fund controls 93% of the land in the "only democracy" and this land may only be sold or leased to Jews. Seems to me that is very similar to the restrictive covenants that once barred Jews and African Americans from many homes. 2. You surely cannot be unaware of the fact that when Palestinians seek permits to build or to add on to their homes those permits are routinely denied even after the prospective builder may have spent thousand of shekels for those permits. After being turned down, because he is Arab, Israel's building authorities keep his money. Robbed twice I would say. I have no problem with Jews living wherever they want throughout Israel and the occupied territories as long as Palestinians have the same right and do not run the risk of being evicted because a settler family wants their home as is happening right now in East Jerusalem. If you believe in democracy I would hope you agree.

Netanyahu's strategy seems to be as uncooperative as possible in the hope that, if he can stall for long enough, Obama's political position at home and abroad will become weakened to the point that he longer has the clout to press for a deal. Presumably, the Israeli Right then hopes for a second coming for the neo-cons and a resumption of uncritical US support. Israeli government policy is not just misguided but tragic. Barack Obama's presidency brings a unique opportunity for a two state solution if that is what Israel truly wants. He is the one man whose credibility in the Arab street might just embolden their leaders to make peace. And stick to it.

Right-the US should be dismayed...Israel shows more balls in this than the whole stinkin' crew of Obama and Co.-they're protecting themselves, more than one can say about the man-child in the White House.

Since in one way or another U.S. tax payer dollars go to fund these illegal settlements it is time for our government to say Not One More Dime. With every nail that goes into a settlement building, Israel is putting another nail in the coffin of peace. As long as Israel continues to take the land that the Palestinians want and need for a state I see no reason why the Palestinians should negotiate with Israel or no reason for Arab states to change their stance toward Israel. But maybe Israel doesn't care. And, in truth this shows that Palestinians that they really have no partner for peace and likely never have.

We should express our dismay by cutting off aid to Israel. Israel doesn't understand words.

No people of any faith, including Jews, are banned from moving to the United States. All people of every faith (including Christians)except Jews are banned from moving to Israel. So which country is 'racist', as you say? All Jewish marriages of American Jews are recognized in the United States. In fact, the U.S. recognizes marriages of all faiths. But if they were Israeli citizens, Israel would not recognize the marriage of almost all American Christians. Because Israel doesn't officially recognize their faith. So which country is the most bigoted?

There are mark differences in the Arab-Israeli conflict - it is complex Vs. Australian situation. In Australia it is clear cut - Britain invaded, declare no-man land and proceeded to transfer it citizens. Britain had no historical claims, British people were no persecuted by Aborigines, etc. In effect all of Australia is occupied land. Aborigines are recognized by the UN as one of the most disadvantage people. Recent government orders has been judged by the UN to be discriminatory, etc ,etc. Forget about genocide (Tasmanian tribe), Stolen Generations, etc. What did they get back - Rudd's apologies a white Australia occupying ancestral land in Melbourne, Sydney ,etc, (and sorry and taking a child to court on receipt of chocolate frog). By contrast Arabs in Israel received citizenship 1948 (Aborigines in mid 60's an legislations against anyone 'helping' them to vote until 1982). Why do white people occupy Australia - since time has passed and wrongs can't be undone. Israel can not wait

Last night on all TV stations, in Obama's meeting with China the US agreed not to interfere with China's internal affairs or domestic disputes. This includes the repression of Tibet and Falon Gong. Today Obama's administration chimes in on Israel's internal affairs of Gilo.

Since obama obviously has the powers of Jesus, let this enlightened gift from God deal with the barbaric epidemic of Islamic Terror in our world today. Let me sit down for tea (or bourbon) with Hamas and turn them into lambs. If he had any sense of proportion at all, he'd be putting a GUN to the head of Iran. Actually, he would have done that MONTHS AGO. This guy is unbelievably out of touch, preferring to flit from one issue to another. Politically, of no fixed address.

It's time to rethink. The open hand of the US has been met with the Israeli fist. Why should the US not just walk away? Come home George Mitchell. Walk Away! Work with the IRS to cut all funding to the area, Israeli and Palestinian alike.

One day Isreal will be sitting in a sea of hostile neighbors alone with no allies.

Expansion of Gilo is dismaying. It's a unitlateral act that makes negotiation of a two state solution all that more remote. It also makes Netanyahu's request that the PA avoid unilateral acts hypocritical. One wonders what kind of pressure the U.S. is exerting behind the scenes to stop the progress of the Gilo expansion. As an American Jew with a gut identification with Israel, I would have no problem with Obama using such leverage as is necessary to stop the expansion of Gilo. I've read the articles that assert that American Jews cross a red line when the back U.S. policies that are inconsistent with the current Israeli government. I respond that it's a matter of degree. Where reasonable people can differ, Israel gets the benefit of the doubt. But how can there be doubt when the Israeli right wing has no end game on the West Bank other than creation of a Palastinain protectorate or the expulsion of Palastinians into Jordan? Neither is just. Neither will work.

Just one problem. The arabs are occupying Jewish land and Jewish homes. We just trying to get them back. Open a histoy book if you need proof.

Israel has lost the moral high ground again. Sympathy is at an all-time low in the West. How can this be a good strategy? If Jews are more intelligent, why do the Israelis pick such dumb leaders? It's time to stop playing the bully and start playing the caring neighbour.

Israelis demonizing the US you think you can/would have survived without the US show some appreciation

I totally agree with you !!!!!!

and let a much younger man, Mohammed Dahlan, to lead the Palestinian people. And the U.S. should withdraw completely from the Middle East(including all military aid to all Middle Eastern countries, Israel included). Just let Nature run its course.

Nice to read a visionary like you, Someone who is truly interested in peace and progress and not bickering and partisan hate.

How did those people aquire the land to build those homes?How many Palestinians did the Israeli government displace? One day somebody will pay for the israeli cruelty and inhumanity they practice today.

It is clear Obama has a learning disability. He cannot understand the word NO.

17: "My response was to Yaron/Barcelona who wrote 'So either YOU officially consider it Israel...' " Whatever YOU might consider, the state of Israel does not officially consider East Jerusalem to be a part of Israel. Letter from the Israeli Foreign Minister to the Secretary General of the United Nations, July 10, 1967..... "The term 'annexation,' is out of place. The measures adopted related to the integration of Jerusalem in the administrative and municipal spheres and furnish a legal basis for the protection of the Holy Places." That is an official declaration by the state of Israel to the UN, and in it Israel is emphatically denying that it had annexed East Jerusalem i.e. it had merely extended its CIVIL authority to include East Jersulem so that the paperwork was easier for Israel. No more, no less. Israel has never issued another OFFICIAL statement i.e. that statement remains the first and last word on the Israeli "consideration" on this matter.

Mr. Óbama has a lot on his plate at the moment (e.g. health care reform at home and climate summit abroad not to mention Afghanistan and Pakistan) and he has not yet revealed his true character. But I have the feeling that Bibi and his followers are making a big mistake if they think they can continue to wipe the floor with the president of the United States and expect him just to forget it afterwards.

Take a look at the architecture of its first buildings. You don't even need a memory to understand that although the memory lapses of Knesset members smack of disingenuousness. It's about time President Obama took a firm stand on settlement freeze so that peace negotiations can begin. My hunch is that Netanyahu's government was testing how much wiggle room it's got. Hopefully the answer will now stay none as far as settlement freeze is concerned. And no preconditions means East Jerusalem stays on the conference table.

That's what happens when you start your presidency with a firm commitment to sending up to $30 billion in unconditional military aid to Israel over the next 10 years. Had he consulted George H.W Bush prior to salivating over his Israeli friends, Bush might have advised Obama to leave himself some bargaining chips

This is really nonsense... I always support Israel, but sometimes I really dont know whats going on with the israeli goverment....just a day after the EU refusal of the bid the arabs were trying to push, the israeli goverment do this...honestly, it is like a silly provocation to the Israel supporters...

This administration is a slap in the face to American interest. They are not helping with their own future either.

Moshe Arabs are repeatedly denied permits for housing in East Jeruselem and frankly in Area B and C in the West Bank. Meanwhile, large settlement expansions are planned for "natural growth--not for anyone--for Jews. "Unimpeded" is not a credible claim--Israel's own President has admitted unacceptable discrimination in housing and jobs against minorites (read Arabs). So all I am saying is stop discriminating at least--"natural growth" occurs in Arab communities too. Start permitting for that.

PA always accepted all of Gilo would be in a future israeli state. Netanyahu has not issued any tenders for east jerusalem or the west bank. The continuing construction are all the tenders approved by olmert. The difference is Gilo is based within the 67 green line so if the local council approves going just over the line it is a decision from in the green line and would go to court. Olmert issued tens of thousands of tenders and netanyahu has issued none and yet looks like the bad guy because the press is out to get him. He gets blamed for construction that was approved under olmert and now this unique situation in Gilo.

I always have acknowledged the bond between Arab and Jew and I continue to do so with those Arabs who this is mutual with but the others who want me dead and to live in my home I cannot not simply kiss and say we have peace.

Letter from the Israeli Foreign Minister to the Secretary General of the United Nations, July 10, 1967 on the matter of the UNGA condemnation of the declaration by Israel concerning the "annexation" of an enlarged Municipality of Jerusalem. The letter contains this gem..... Abba Eban: "The term 'annexation,' is out of place. The measures adopted related to the integration of Jerusalem in the administrative and municipal spheres and furnish a legal basis for the protection of the Holy Places." That is an official declaration by the state of Israel emphatically denying that it had annexed East Jerusalem to the state.

I believe even Livni & Kadima goes down that road. With the Pals refusing to be involved with negotiations,without pre-conditions,what has Bibi got to lose by allowing new construction in E. Jerusalem.

...Jacobs seed. Pls see my posting #20

I like your approach and honesty.

17: "Jerusalem is 'officially considered it Israel' and all the arab citizens living their are offered 'the Israeli Nationality...' " Those two statements are, of course, mutually exclusive. You don't **OFFER** nationality when you annex: the people are annexed along with the territory. And if you **DON'T** annex then you are not "officially" claiming that territory as part of your country. 17, the entire exercise since 1967 has been typical Israeli duplicity i.e. the Jerusalem Law simply extended Israeli domestic law to East Jerusalem without actually annexing the territory to the state i.e. Israel wanted to be in the position where East Jerusalem simultaneously was/wasn't "in Israel". http://www.mepc.org/journal_vol5/9701_lustick.asp

...when you write "nevertheless the promise was not to the decendents of Jacob generally." - it for sure was. Furthermore, intermarriage was a normal activity even in ancient times, did you forget about the Moabite lady Ruth - the great,great grandmother of King David ? Or the Midjanite lady Sippora/Safura the wife of Prophet Moses ?

Great idea, you think think in the ways of peacemaking, I appreciate you.

Moshe, Arabs build without a permit because Israel Gov. never give them a permit, they have no choice, Beside they build in their own land not inside Israel.

i tell my government, the US government, stay out of Jerusalem affairs, period. concentrate on west bank judea samaria, fine. prepare it for the palestinian state you envision. work on slowing or stopping settlement growth in the territories. however, do not interfere in the municipal affairs of Jerusalem as it will not be included in that state. it is already the capital of Israel. you rock the boat in Jerusalem, you will spoil whatever small chance there is for a peace deal in the rest of the territories. Gilo is Jerusalem, sorry.

... should be available to Pals on equal terms...

Well that is at least a good starter, either you start up with a two-state solution and further down the road unite, or you start of with a one-state solution. I don't want to deny you a living space, (and certainly don't want anybodies extermination) - The conflict is consuming too much energy on both sides, whilst cooperation would give both sides tremendous benefits.

M: "The housing construction under question is not the government`s but private individuals." The govt must approve it, and under GCIV Article 49 it must refuse any such application. M: "It is not the government`s responsibility in a free society to "provide housing" for anyone. " No, but it is an occupying power's responsibility under int'l humanitarian law to provide for the basic needs of the "protected persons" under its belligerent occupation. Having a roof over your head rather counts as a "basic need", Moshe. M: " "Need", as such, does not give an Arab, or a Jew for that matter the right to a house." Those arabs are all "protected persons" under int'l humanitarian law. Not one single Jew falls into that category i.e. every single one of them is a "citizen of the occupying power". They must be treated differently, because under int'l humanitarian law they **ARE** different.

I suggest that you read what Tsvi Misinai has written extensively on the subject I touched. You can find a lot of material on the net, google: Tzvi Misinai, the engagement etc etc He picked up the original notions from people like David Ben-Gurion and Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, and developed a thorough investigation in the matter.

it's extremely obvious that the Israelis do not want peace, there is not a single move that the state of Israel has done in the past 10 years that indicates it's willingness to compromise. The Gaza disengagement plan is not a "peace" move, Israel still maintains control of Gaza regardless of what you all seem to think.

Arab housing goes on unimpeded? What planet do you live on? Try talking to people in Settlement Watch who are on the ground taking pictures. Or gop to their website and SEE the video clips (or is that false too). More Arab houses are being expropriated an demolished than being constructed. Look at what is going in in Silwan. Please get a grip brother.

Boruch said Israel should probably consider freezing a construction there, but not before US freezes any construction in New York and begins negotiation with American Indians on creating an Indian state with capital in Manhattan." Yet another Jew who never learned the lessons of the Holocaust, and how everything has changed after WWII. But if you are going to play the game of comparing Israel to the worst of epic wrongs of every nation made before the Holocaust, let's at least be honest. 1) What was done to Native Americans was ghastly. Israel doing the same is just as ghastly. That is a far, far cry from justifying Israel's actions. 2) Native Americans can vote for the US President, own land anywhere in the US, and have equal legal rights to any other US citizen. If you are suggesting there is some parallel between the US and Israel, you can start telling us what to do, once you have given Pals all of these rights in Israel.

excepted it before 1967 ??? Why did they attack the Jewish state then if they did except the green line ??? Please , stop the revisionism of not even long History .

Can someone tell me when exactly E.Jerusalem became the Palastinians? Can someone tell me when the W. Bank became the Palastinians? When did Gaza become the Palastinians? I remember at one time Jordan and Eygpt ruling over these lands until they attacked Israel, and lost. So unless I missed something here, this is pretty simple, Israel won these lands in a war of defense, and should be able to build. If Eygpt or Jordan even cared a tad, they would of fought to regain these lands, but than they would be have to be the caretaker of the Pals, which we all know they don't want. The Arab brothers of the Pals use them as a pawn, and 40 years later after Arafat started his little band of murderers they are in a worse position than they started, so pathetic.

Well everytime someone doesn't do what the jews want it's racist or antisemeitc. Theses are all excuses just like here when a black person dosen' get there way they scream racism. What happen during WWII sucked, and I bet the jews didin't like when they were being taken from theiromes, just like the Palestinen's dont want to be taken for their homes.

It is the capital of Israel and belongs to Israel forever .

Brod winged: "The fact is Israel is a sovereign country and it can do whatever it wants to do in developing its liberated homeland. It is NONE of the business of other countries to be intruding in Israel`s internal affairs." This is not the case. Israel has signed a number of International treaties which binds it to follow laws and rules. Anything that Israel does to violate those signed treaties IS the business of EVERY OTHER SIGNATORY! Israel benefits greatly from these agreements. These agreements affect everything from trade, to banking, to travel visas, to military weapons, and much, much more. If Israel wants to give all these things up and truly become a full Pariah State in every meaning of the word, by all means ignore every treaty Israel has ever signed. Walk away from the world. Just don't come crying and claim antisemitism when the consequences of Israel ignoring the co-signatories of Israel's treaties cut Israel off from the benefits of those treaties too.

It seems that everyone is leaving the program. Neither side has the complete confidence or support of the world's nations, and even Hamas seems to be hiding behind Fatah. There is NO resolution here!

It doesn't seem Israel cares much about what's in best interest of US (peace in the region) so I don't understand why our government cares so much about what's best for Israel. I think moderate Americans are getting fed up and want to see resolution, not more of the same.

One statement to you Mr. Gold and one question. You should be made aware that your Muslim neighbours also consider the Patriarchs to be THEIR patriarchs as well. Perhaps a bit of mutuual understanding her might help you both. My question is this: during the massacre of 1929 67 Jews were murdered by Arab mobs. More were hidden and thus saved by their Muslim neighbours. Could you share with us what your perception is of similar condcut on the part of the Hebron Jews if the Jews there should go on a killing rampage? How man of the Jews would hide their Muslim neighbors from th attacking mob of Baruch Goldsteins? Thank you.

And they have to take a test which determines if they are essentially "jewish" enough. Jerusalem is not entirely Israeli, they have half. The other half should be Palestinian.

Nice try with the myth of pals descending from the hebrews. Arabs came first with the arab invasions just before the crusades. A second wave of arab immigration to that land came when the jews started to return to their home land, and created an econommy with jobs that many came from Syria and Lebanon to take.

I bet I speak for many Americans in saying that it would be best for the entire world, if the U. S. would simply allow Isreal to do whatever it wants---Best thing is to have a "hands off policy" and let them deal with everything w/o our involvement. No money, no diplomacy, zilch. You are on your own. We have enough to contend with already and our alignment with Isreal only hurts us. There is absolutely no benefit for us.

"A Jew may build his house anywhere he wishes - so long as it`s done in a LEGAL manner. The settlements - ALL the settlements (including Gilo) - were built ILLEGALLY on Palestinian-owned land without their CONSENT. " Who said their consent is required for a Jew to build on land which was Jewish-owned prior to 1948? Are you awarding the Palestinians people's private properties because you held a lottery to see who wins it? How did you determine that the land is "Palestinian-owned"? Did you just make that up, or what?

Put all Foreign Aid to Israel on hold until the plan is canceled.

This ridicules US foreign policy of unconditional support to Israel is a joke, so it better shut up if it can't put up!

For the record the name "Gold" is common for Jews as is the name "Baruch" just so you know and I am not sure "B" stands for Baruch for the other Mr. Gold. His name could be Bob Gold, Benjamin Gold for all we know or whatever but he is not me and I am not him. Thanks for your concern I am still happily living in Jewish Hebron our second Holiest city where all of OUR patriarchs and Matriarchs are buried may Hashem bless their souls. Our community is getting bigger by the day so have no concern for myself or B.Gold.

boruch...native americans, despite how poorly they were treated, often signed treaties. Yes they may not have had the best advice at the "time" but come on your analogy is way off the mark.

I can't imagine why anyone should be "dismayed" on one who wants to protect himself ! Israel is entitled to do anything to ensure its security and in the case of Israel its very existence. Taking once security & its existence seriously one is just doing the right thing. If the world wants to believe what the Arab-Palestinians are is telling them... 2-state, side by side, etc.. it is the world's business. If just the world will get off our backs !

Mr. Gold has very succinctly defined the irrational approach of Israel. It is time the US openly declares it will no longer support the state of Israel - with money, arms or - in any way. If Israel wants to thumb its collective nose at the majority of the world - let it pay the consequences of its irrational actions. They act as if the old testament of the bible is some how a collection of greater stories and legends than the books of the world's other religions. The concept of religion has killed more people throughout man's history tan the total of all other concepts combined. When are we, as a species, going to finally come to grips with this sensless following of mythical stories and the resultant sensless killing of people. Ed

means "go ahead" we will give you cover like we always do, and pretend we are "dismayed"

as if residential planning in a foreign nation burdens an official response.

I bet most readers have no idea where exactly Gilo is situated. How many people actually realize the minuscule distance of Gilo from the the center of Jerusalem. 10 min easy ride by bicycle! This is not a 'settlement' in the depths of the West Bank!

We're headed into a bad situation...

How can the US reject the rights of Palestinians to fight physically when the Jewish people continue to steal and evict and build.But AIPAC will find away to spin this lie into progress.

That's what happens when you start your presidency with a firm commitment to sending up to $30 billion in unconditional military aid to Israel over the next 10 years. Had he consulted George H.W Bush prior to salivating over his Israeli friends, Bush might have advised Obama to leave himself some bargaining chips.

ONCE YOU ACCEPT THE HEBREW ORIGINS OF THE PALESTINIANS What hebrew origins are you talking about the palestinians ( arabs ) are not jewish and have never been jewish. Living next door to Israel doesn't give you hebrew origins. We have no problem with the fact they are muslims or their islamic culture we just don't want them living in our country and if they leave us alone we will leave them alone. The idea of everybody living together in a single state, not a chance the arabs might want a single state but the jews living in Israel do not and the only opinions that matter in that case are the Israelis. The jews want Israel to be a JEWISH STATE Its symbols of state are jewish ones Its cuurency named after the currency used in biblical Judea Its national holidays are jewish ones Streets named after jews The official language hebrew People who have an automatic right to live there are jews Thats what the jews want and we don't need the world approval to do things that way.

One-state-solution peace that is.

I knew what Tzvi describes using common sense. Islam did not exterminate, Jews nearly dis appiered, there was no Muslims before 700, so logicaly the only way Muslims could appear was by converting Jews and Christians. So we are family. Through Jacob is even close than throug Abraham, to me it does not do much difference. Still we Jews need first a house for our own, and when the hate receeds, we can join our houses.

the US is occupying many countries across the world ! US lead many wars in vietnam ,irak and afganistan killing many innocent people ! civilians are killed on daily basis in those countries i didn't hear the voices that are coming here to protest against the "israeli occupation " protesting about the US POLITIC in the world it sounds as if only what israel is doing in the world is bad ! you should loo in the mirror my dear american !

As they have been doing for the past 40 years in the occupied territories. So their threat to start acting unilaterally if the PA declares a state is really pointless. Go ahead PA, declare independence

.......how many proper homes has the PA built for its miserable subjects using all the billions of dollars that they've screwed out of the west? THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!!

A Jew may build his house anywhere he wishes - so long as it's done in a LEGAL manner. The settlements - ALL the settlements (including Gilo) - were built ILLEGALLY on Palestinian-owned land without their CONSENT. What Obama is saying is that Israel should first reach agreement with the Palestinians on the land, then build on it. But Israel wants first to build, then talk. The question arises: If you build on the land, what is there to talk about???

The United Arab Emirates is selling some US-made Army helicopters to Lebanon. Russia is also selling Lebanon 10 MiGs. So what's a few hundred houses in East Jerusalem? The residents in Northern Israel who might be displaced soon will need someplace to move when the bombs start dropping.

Can a nation sink any lower, look anymore humiliated than the United States of 2009, at least when it comes to the ME conflict...??? Honestly, I don't think so...:)

The Obama administrations complaints against Israel and the plans to build 900 more homes beyond the green line will not solve anything. Netanyahu has already figured out that beyond complaining this President doesn't have the courage or spine to seriously challenge Israel and the checks and U.S. aid will still continue regardless. When Obama caved on the settlements that removed all doubt that Netanyahu could walk all over him virtually at will. Sadly, this appears to be true.

first of all, the reference to the New Testament is extremelly light in reference to the Torah. Secondly, you are all the time refering to the Tribe of Juda, and tend to forget all other tribes. Furthermore, as you know, and everybody else knows, the Hebrew prophets intermarried extremelly much with people of non-Hebrew descent in adjacent cultures. Most important, you can not find anything in the Torah that says that the promise is forfeited due to ongoing developments of the religion. Christians see their religion as a development from Christianity, and not to forget - the same goes for Islam.

Jerusalem will remain Israeli, except for some neighboorhoods, in my humble opinion. I have a feeling that so much of what is approved will never get built or scaled back in any case. Israel would be better served to build and stay quiet. The other item is that Israel should build housing on the WB for green line Arabs-let the divorce begin.

If the USA were truly dismayed, it would be escalating its visible support of Palestine. It would be announcing the halt of $6.0 billion in annual aid to Israel. It would be making strong statements in support of Abbas, the PA and the Palestinians. It would be aggressively pushing for an investigation of the Gaza war crime allegations. It would be announcing economic and technical support for Palestine. It would be proactively developing a coalition of super powers that can collaboratively help Palestine become independent deespite Israeli road blocks to peace. Instead all I hear are cautious USA statements that may be more oriented towards minimizing an offensive tone to American Jewish groups that blindly support everything Israel does. The USA has yet to follow its Cairo rhetoric with any meaningful actions. It appears the USA's heart is not committed to Middle East peace.

"The current argument of the Israeli government is that natural growth is needed for the children of Settlers. OK, that sounds reasonable. Yet Netenyahu`s blatant dishonesty is revealed by this new plan! This settlement is clearly designed to draw in new, affluent settlers!" Israel is WILLING to limit it to "natural growth." 1) Community expansion is part of natural growth. 2) Even if it were limited to the children of settlers, the Palestinians have yet to agree to negotiate under those parameters. Since the Palestinians are unwilling to negotiate short of a complete freeze (what? Someone can't install a new bathroom in their restaurant?), Israel is under no obligation to initiate a partial freeze.

"Building on a land that does not belong to a country without permission of another owner of land is illegal, get it?" The property owner of a property usually gets to build on his land. Meanwhile, there is no autonomous state on those lands, so it's up to the ruling power to allow what it will. In other words: There is NO other OWNER of land other than the private party who gets a say in the matter.

but you should notice that the promise was made to the "seed" not seeds. Read Galatians 3:16 if you want to see Paul's arguement that this singular "seed" was Jesus nevertheless the promise was not to the decendents of Jacob generally. Also you have missed the law that "no bastard will have an inheritance in Israel" (to paraphrase). Once a decendent of Jacob married out of the clan, they lost their inheritance, which is why conversion to Judaism of the parent is necessary to maintain the rights of the offspring even today.

Build, build, build. Jult because someone holds the office of the president of the US doesn't mean they speak for all Americans

Ishaq. I wrote, the seed of Jacob. Please refine your reading in these subjects. Why not google on Tsvi Misinai and the engagement for instance ?

Nice to hear voice of well wishing from an son of Jacob. Fully agree with your on "seed of Jacob". Now we are in practical details. The younger brother of Ishmael was a helpless, betrayed by all refugee for too long. Why his cousin can not understand his need for a place he can call his own? Let us have a small plot we can calll ours and later let's bring fences down and live as family should.

Do not go ballistic. Some things are beyond anybody's control. Israel. I am with Obama.

A Leftist, university professor. Living in quite a small apartment. I never thought of Gilo as a settlement! just a Jerusalem neighborhood like any other. Driving in the city from one place to another. That's me - naive and un-informed...

Boruch # 36 - pls read my posting # 20

...read what I wrote ? I think it is a disater that the Jews of the Arabic countries left. This happened due to our totalitarian regimes (sometimes in "cooperation" with Mossad - forgot the Lavon affair, huh ?). Please do not blame moslems and arabs who are not bigot, not racist and not antisemitic for what others of our kind have done. We are not one heap of persons with identical thoughts, minds and aspirations.

I dont get it... the Quran says there were jews in Jerusalem at the time of the Muslim prophet... So why would the pals argue that Jerusalem should not be a jewish city?

The entire land of Judea and Samaria (which is West calls West bank) is a historical Jewish land where there was Jewish Kingdom many centuries before Arabs came to that place. The so called Green line is nothing more than a demarcation line of 1948 war when Arab countries enjoying overwhelming majority of total population and army size jointly decided to throw Jews into the sea. This demarcation line have no reflection whatsoever on historical ownership of that land.

East Jerusalem is not occupied. The only time the city has ever been divided is during the Jordanian occupation from 1949-1967. It was liberated in the 6 day war and will remain so despite Arab wishing, scheming and violence otherwise. Indeed the "moslem world" was deprived of "good, loyal, hardworking and industrious citizens" in your admittedly racist pogroms but you must also admit that you were able to rid your world of several unseemly types by sending them to live in the jewish world. Perhaps for the sake of peace, which you espouse to be your religion, you could take those citizens back. Let them set up on land your nations stole from the good citizens

Israel is not "building houses for Jews". Homes are privately financed, developed, and sold to people who can afford them, exactly like in New Haven CT. Nothing stops Palestinians from buying, selling, or building homes in the disputed territories, even though they are often poorly designed, dangerous. Why should the Israel tax payers build homes for Arabs? Wait, they actually did that once in Gaza area as a gesture of good will. The UNHRC promptly shut the project down, because it would relieve the misery they so carefully cultivate to blackmail the West for handouts.

The united Jerusalem is an eternal Jewish capital. However, Israel should probably consider freezing a construction there, but not before US freezes any construction in New York and begins negotiation with American Indians on creating an Indian state with capital in Manhattan.

When will bulldozing of the Palestinian ppl stop it will stop when President Obama finally cuts Israel off financially in the same manner that George HW Bush did in the 90's when he ordered that their be no more building of settlements during his tenior as President.

I suspect that the entire mid-East conflict would be resolved in short order if Israel built one home for Palestinian refugees for every home built for an Israeli family. The arrogance and selfishness of the current administration in Israel will only perpetuate the conflict, which is what they seem to want. The US should withdraw all funding support for Israel. They have the resources to manage on their own. JR, of Jewish ancestry.

Sir, My response was to Yaron/Barcelona who wrote" "So either YOU officially consider it Israel..." I am aware that UNSC in 1968 "deplored, considered, urgently called and requested" Hopefully it clarified the matter for you.

This has nothing to do with racism, as I think you well know! This area is not part of Israel and so Israel has no right to build anything there. It is occupied territory.

Nice to see you're not an illegal settler anymore, having moved from Hebron to TA, but you apparently still insist on your delusional historical claims to Palestinian land. Sadly the rest of the planet doesn't live in some religious dream world ordained by God, but one ruled by International Law, and article 49 of the fourth Geneva Convention says all you need to know about the legality of settlements in occupied E.Jerusalem and the WB - 'The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.'

...the Hebrew origins of the Palestinians, and start to see them as your brothers and sisters, accept their present religion and culture, you can by time both have peace in the area and a strong nation, nobody wishes to destruct or destroy. Maybe even by time a one-state solution, which the whole world would accept and support.

"Jerusalem is "officially considered it Israel" and all the arab citizens living their" are offered "the Israeli Nationality..." Here's a link......enjoy. http://domino.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/b86613e7d92097880525672e007227a7/46f2803d78a0488e852560c3006023a8?OpenDocument

"The fact is Israel is a sovereign country .." Ah, then it has borders... a pre-requisite of Sovereignty. "and it can do whatever it wants to do in developing its liberated homeland" Within it's borders. // Letter From the Agent of the Provisional Government of Israel to the President of the United States, May 15, 1948 ?MY DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: I have the honor to notify you that the state of Israel has been proclaimed as an independent republic within frontiers approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations in its Resolution of November 29, 1947 // " It is NONE of the business of other countries to be intruding in Israel`s internal affairs" It's not internal...

Good news, if only we can end this hateful distinction of "beyond the green line" as if this imaginary line ever meant anything or was ever recognized by Israel's enemies till they lost all of their wars of aggression.

Israel's actions seem deliberately calculated to exasperate the tensions in the middle east, from overt threats to Iran to building on land that should be destined for the new state of Palestine. Biblical references notwithstanding, try to remember that the founding of Israel displaced an indigenous population of arabs--some 700,000 of which (by most counts) were forcefully driven out of their homes by Israel and are systematically denied a right to return to their homes. The world owed Israel a right to a nation after WW11, but it does not owe it a license to continued theft of more and more land.

"The entirety of the Land of Israel belongs exclusively to the entirety of the Jewish people." No it doesn't. It belongs to it's civilian population, some 20% are not Jewish. However beyond the Greenline is definitely NOT Israeli. Why do you peddle blatant lies?

HOW on earth can PM Nethanyahu can explain this to Pres. Obama, and the rest of the world. We always knew the truth now it is so OBVIOUS.ABBASS should declare independence on the very day these Homes are being build, the world will be for you mr Abbass.We are all behind you. GO 4 it Man, GO 4 IT.

...promised land belongs, by divine decree, to the seed of Jacob. Not only to the descendents of the tribe of Juda. Thus it includes 90 % of the Palestinians too, who are the descendents of all Hebrew tribes (including the Jews) who remained in the Holy land after the Roman expulsions of the elite. These people converted to Christianity and to Islam. Still they are the seed of Jacob, and the inheritors as well as the Diaspora Jews who now have returned. Please google: Tsvi Misinai, the engagement etc

I don't understand this decision whatsoever, and it reveals that Netenyahu's policy is absurd and dishonest. The current argument of the Israeli government is that natural growth is needed for the children of Settlers. OK, that sounds reasonable. Yet Netenyahu's blatant dishonesty is revealed by this new plan! This settlement is clearly designed to draw in new, affluent settlers! This puts Obama and Abbas in a bind. How can Israel argue that Abbas cannot make "unilateral moves" when Netenyahu completely and utterly disregards Palestinian opposition to settlement? How can Obama support Israel without making his Cairo speech look empty, thus destroying all of his good work?

as they received money from everybody,OBAMA, do needs AIPAC finacial help for the company.

If the municipality would like to build 900 houses for the Jews, they should then show that the Arabs population too is increasing then build them 900 houses.

It should withhold or reduce Israeli aid and loan guarantess. Money often has a way of speaking louder than people. Dutch

"Building on a land that does not belong to a country without permission of another owner of land" G Sir, Who "another (?) owner" could be?

... in not letting or not accepting settlers to build houses in occupied areas. If the IDF needs military outposts to keep up the control of occupied areas, that is something else. We have no problems with Jews, and I wish there will come a day when Jews originally from the Moslem world moves back home, acquires their old citizenship and start to build and invest as Arabic citizens. All pogroms leading to the expulsion of the Arabic Jews in the 50s and 60s made the Arabic nations devoid of good, loyal, hardworking and industrious citizens. We do NOT hate Jews. We are objecting housing-programes in occupied territories.

and give all the arab citizens living their the Israeli Nationality..." Sir, Jerusalem is "officially considered it Israel" and all the arab citizens living their" are offered "the Israeli Nationality..."

U.S. objection? America is not a colonial power. Israel is not a colony of America. It is time for the pipe dreamers to stop making America a colonial power. The fact is Israel is a sovereign country and it can do whatever it wants to do in developing its liberated homeland. It is NONE of the business of other countries to be intruding in Israel's internal affairs.

The problem is that Gilo is beyond the green line. So either you officially consider it Israel, and give all the arab citizens living their the Israeli Nationality (which most of them don't have), and the equal right for them to obtain a building permit. Or either officially recognizing that you are building on land which do not belong to you. Saying that it is not a political issue is bullshit since it is the government that issues building permits.

Whatever Arabs do within Israeli borders is up to Israel to act upon and it is up to Israel to inforce laws in its country. Settlemts are not Israel - get it? Not recognized by anyone, even by Israel itself. Building on a land that does not belong to a country without permission of another owner of land is illegal, get it? If this is an individual right, then settlers should become Palestinian citizens and Israeli army should stop protecting them - this is what individual right is.

and he has a duty not to allow for anybody to deminsish the Presidency. From Lincoln through MLK to Barack Obama. It is time for the young President to take his place in history. http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

If the Arabs ***need*** to live Jew-free lives, they'll just have to do it in their own lands- elsewhere.

The entirety of the Land of Israel belongs exclusively to the entirety of the Jewish people. The entirety of Jerusalem as the entirety of the Land of Israel belongs exclusively to the entirety of the Jewish people. It belongs to our generation as well as to the future generations to come, and no one has the right and/or the legitimity to cede even one single square cm. of the city or the land. Agreements as a result of blackmail and pressure are not valid and will not change historical truth and International Legitimacy (The San Remo agreements). Mistakes done by Israeli government(s) in Anapolis or before should not be respected and should be put right immediately. No Jewish leader has the right to abandon any part of the Land of Israel. Arabs have no case as to the Land of Israel, we should return to the original legitimity as described at : http://xrl.us/bjch4

The time has come for the US to put its money and influence where its mouth is. If we really find those settlements problematic enough to always yap about how we disapprove, yet blindly hand over a check to Israel, which indirectly helps free up money to finance those settlements, then the administration should just shut up. It looks plain ridiculous. If they really want to disapprove, let's suspend or reduce aid. Let's not run to veto every UN action critical of Israel. The current policy is a joke.

The idea that an Arab may build a house on land that he owns in a specific geographical territory whereas a Jew may not, is racist and goes against the constitution of the United States. Obama advocates an ideology that is illegal in the U.S. and in any other country that respects individual rights. Anyone who supports that ideology is in the same category.

Let us clarify. The housing construction under question is not the government's but private individuals. It is not the government's responsibility in a free society to "provide housing" for anyone. "Need", as such, does not give an Arab, or a Jew for that matter the right to a house. The ability to pay for land and build a house, does. Arab building goes on throughout the country unimpeded. Much of this building is without permit, but Israeli authorities are afraid to enforce the law in Arab towns for fear of Arab violence. Jewish building, on the other hand, is strictly regulated. Permits are difficult to get (impossible to get in Judea and Samaria) and because the Jews don't have huge gangs of violent protesters to prevent it, illegal building is strictly enforced. To say that an Arab has the right to purchase or build on land but a Jew does not simply because he is Jewish is racist. There is simply no other way to define it.

Nothing, except issue the same old tired monologue of 'it's not helpful', and the onus is on the Palestinians to negotiate a peace settlement - totally ridiculous!

...I know I've already fired off an email to the White House and I encourage all interested citizens who are tired of Israel's perfidy to write the White House. Forget about the bought and paid for congresscritters, write the White House.

Since the most accute housing needs are in Arab areas--how does Israel answer building Jewish housing but no homes for Arab residents.