Cabinet stalls on settlement freeze as Israel and U.S. clash over terms

Beat them with their own weapons: divide and rule

Discussion of borders. Notice, netanyahu does not want borders discuss as a seperate topic but combined with other issues and by "other issues" of course he means security. Rest assured, that there will be no agreement on security. Israel will see to that by delaying any outcome or resolution. 90 days will be up and they will still be discussing "security" but not borders and then Israel will take unilateral action to further define borders on their own terms by their expansionism and solidifying wht is already illegally built. And to boot, they are demanding that the US relinquish any right to publically call for a cessation to the settlements. On EJ, either Israel accepts Israel's annexation or it does not. If it does not protest further confiscation of land and takeover of the remaining Arab neighbourhoods, then by its default it is recognising and condoning Israel's take over of the entire city which precludes any part of the city from becoming the capital of Palestine.

A 3 month freeze is worth zilch to the Palestinians - Israel's settlement program is illegal and all this debate surrounding an extremely generous offer of incentives to stop something that is illegal is simply absurd. The Palestinians should forget about the 'peace' talks and immediately make a unilateral declaration of Statehood and seek UN support. Given Israel's intransigence the US may simply abstain.

"the Americans will not ask Israel to stop building in East Jerusalem, but will not say so publicly or in writing." So, Israel is allowed to continue its occupation crimes, the jewish extremists have their way again and the US is made to look like a dog, afraid it is hit by its boss, the Israeli government. Excellent, life as we know it for the last 43 years is continuing as normal. US leaders continue to "express their regret" over the settlement crimes and continue to repeat the old, vague, dusty mantras of "urging the parties involved back to the negotiating table". Another bad day for democracy and justice.

the issue is the relationship between israel and the united states. under no circumstanes can israel allow that her sovereignty be undermined by the united states. hence, any additional moratorium cannot be linked to promises of certain acts in the un or the international community at large. such lop-sided commitment would knoll the death of israel's sovereignty.

That's the question that gives Obama power in this currrent situation. Even US right-wingers who otherwise support Israel have no answer to it. All Obama has to do is ask the US people this question and Israel can kiss goodbye to its US aid.

The 90 day building freeze is not the end game only a way to help get there, setting borders and later a state is the PA main goal.

That all the fools outside of Palestine should keep their mouths shut because they are destroying the respect for the Palestinians and radicalizing the Israelis that were not radical.

is that Natanyahu is not afraid of Obama. If he gets cabinet majority he will do a gesture to Obama. If he does not get a majority in the cabinet Natanyahu will say no to Obama and nothing striking will happen afterwards. 1) Withdraw the American veto? It is not clear that Obama really wants that, but even if he wants it, the Congress will not allow him. 2) The jets????? Israel will recieved them anyway. Israel is an strategic ally against Iran. Obama new approach towards the Muslim world did not change the basic equations. Israel is an ally and Iran Hizbalah and Hammas are bitter enemies. If Obama is not quite convinced of that,, the Congress will remain him. 3) The same regarding the rest of American aid. In sum, it seems that Natanyhau has nothing to worry about a powerless president that in the meantime will have to deal with Afghanistan Iraq Yemen, etc etc , let alone the Tea Party. Israel bashers are still hoping for Obama. Laughable.

It was a mild slowdown that did not apply in about half the occupied territories. So Abbas recognized that it was pure illusion. Funny that. Abbas saw through the ruse. So did the US government. Now there are no loopholes offered. For some reason this bothers the PMO.

The only thing that could make this process more ridiculous is if Obama put on a red nose a yellow wig and began riding around the Middle East on a unicycle. Circus master Netanyahu would no doubt approve.

The US doesn't want loopholes for Bibi to squirm out of negotiating in good faith. Netanyahu wants the goodies without having to make any hard choices or compromises. The offer should have been time limited anyway. Israel either wants peace or not. It is that simple. If not, there should be no US goodies. Israel already has a qualitative and quantitative edge over the next 10 militaries, combined. And the only risk of the green line is to those already conquered from the green line. MAKE A DEAL!

They do not want to negotiate they want to force Israel to accept their own destruction

they dont want peace. israel...what a state..

does Israel not trust it,s social wefare provider and life saver. If you want peace --Israel--get on with it. But peace is your greatest enemy---eh.

.....on Israel sides, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE PEACE WITH THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT! Yisrael Beiteinu and Shas must disappear from any Israeli government that wants to make peace with the Palestinians. They couldn't make peace even with a large proportion of Jews.... never mind Arabs......As about the Palestinian side, no peace can be attained if they have ONLY DEMANDS and cannot tolerate, or compromise with, Israelis; if they continue to teach children that Israel must be hated ... forever. Not to speak of dealing with Hamas! Therefore, ....... 1. - Israel: take the planes and forget peace in the present format. But, IN ANY CASE, get rid of Shas and Lieberman !!! ..... 2. - Palestinians: get yourself a Sadat. And in any case .... forget about making disappear 6 million Jews from Israel. Learn what the word "negotiation" means. Try to un-hate.

They say you can't con an honest man, which means that Bibi is wide open to being conned!

The trouble is that currently Israel has all it wants. It has the West Bank, it has peace and it has a quiet, obedient Pal population with no democratic rights in Israel. Israel would just love it all to stay that way. No bribery or sweet-talking is going to get it to change that situation. So there's going to have to be pressure from the US and UN. Basically everybody except Israelis, Zionists and those who believe Fox News understand this.

Clearly said " to stop building" would be the only right way ... That´s something which is the normal way to treat the robbers. Not to give them something for the compensation to stop the stealing for a while...

Clearly said " to stop building" would be the only right way ... That´s something which is the normal way to treat the robbers. Not to give them something for the compensation to stop the stealing for a while...

see. Take the opportunity in the next 3 months to negotiate your borders. It's clear they can't be undefined forever or until you've made a Palestinian state impossible with settlements. Only other options: One state which includes full rights for indigenous people. A final solution for the natives of the West Bank, expel them, or ... Get serious about maintaining the Jewish nature of the state of Israel and rediscover the time honored Jewish values of justice and self-determination for for both peoples.

not so stupid as to offer us all kinds of goodies for a one-time 90-day building freeze. Nor should they. Instead, they should be demanding, in their interest as well as in ours and the Palestinians, that real negotiations resume ASAP. In any case, the goodies can just as readily be taken back as given. And they will be taken back if we do not resume bargaining in good faith. The outlines of an agreement are clear and it is time to reach agreement now.

The reason why there is a "clash" is because Netanyahu rushed back to Israel and totally misrepresented both the contents and the intent of that package, either because he fell asleep in the middle of the talks (likely) or because he can not help but lie (even more likely). The "clash" comes about because having totally misrepresenting this package Bibi then had the chutzpah to ask "Can I have that in writing?", and the response from the Americans is a diplomatic version of "What the f**k? Were you asleep, or what?"

Of course the Obama Administation is not going to agree to those terms, precisely because *IF* those are the terms of that package *THEN* everyone knows exactly what Bibi will do. He will (a) sit on his hands for 90 days and then (b) stick one hand out on Day 91 and say "OK, I'm ready now, where's my reward?" HE HAS TO EARN THE FIRST PART OF THE GOODIES (a continuation of the veto), AND HE DOESN'T GET THE REALLY GOOD STUFF (billions of dollars worth of military shit) UNLESS A PEACE AGREEMENT IS SIGNED. Don't even bother arguing for any other interpretation of the text, because you won't get it. Ever.

...after the very same team trashed the commitment George W. Bush mad to Mr. Ariel Sharon in a less than totally formal fashion, done between the leaders of two very close ally countries. If this was the way the Obama/Clinton White House did with regard to a commitment of a previous President - something that is simply not done! - why should anyone trust the word of the present White House...??!! Thus, the Obama/Clinton team should simply write down that which was agreed with Israel's prime minister and sign the document as one the Obama White House stand behind...!!

Without any Guarantee, these Freezes on Israeli Settlement Construction can go on forever ! which is what is vital to the Arab. The Settlements are an impediment to the Arab aim of destroying Israel and must be stopped by any and all means.

Just send a list of things it's GOING to lose if the building in WB doesn't stop and an agreement isn't reached. No need for quibbling between the U.S. and Israel, and no need for debate in Bibi's government. Want progress...that'll get you progress!

It is obvious that the twisted minds running this kleptocracy believe that they may behave as they want to, while criticizing other countries which even slightly mimic their grossly perverted actions... When the bell tolls, calling the faithful to their knees, Israel too shall bow...

Would you buy a new car from a major dealer who wouldn't give you a legally written warranty? Would you just take a 'pledge' that everything would be as promised and OK? Many now have 'buyers remorse' concerning President Obama. I have to ask myself, would I buy a car or anything else from this man. I think the answer is emphatically, NO ! Hillary is also a double dealing two face purveyor of Obama policy. Face it they are both shady dealers. Caveat emptor, Bibi !

that the determination of borders is going to be the significant progress? So you mean to say that PM Netanyahu is stating that all core issues will be resolved by the end of 3 months? The point of the settlement freeze is for determining the borders between the future Palestinian state and Israel. If the option of not extending this freeze is not available then it's assumed that the borders are to be determined by then. I don't understand the reason for the stalling tactic.

What will be requested is a total ban of construction...

... as long as the settler industry persists in carrying out its illegal activity... only when Pal land and assets will cease to be robbed, will freezes become redundant...

Is there a ban on using the word ILLEGAL where it most aptly applies?

Make peace or begging For money

If Israel is so convaluted over the handout from the USA, then the USA should withdraw the offer. It is time for the declaration of an independent Palestine.

There should be no settlements period. This debate over whether to build them up some more is moot. Dismantle them all. Now. Then the real talks can begin.

"We must not accept a new norm under which we will be expected to pay for diplomatic support or military aid that we have received up until now only by virtue of the alliance [with the United States]." - Likud MKs// These Likudniks forget that only AIPAC extortion gave Israel past US gifts. So here is an opinion of A. Cordersman, a VERY respected US analyst on Israel's value to the US: "America’s ties to Israel are NOT based primarily on U.S. strategic interests. At the best of times, an Israeli government that pursues the path to peace provides some intelligence, some minor advances in military technology, and a potential source of stabilizing military power that could help Arab states like Jordan... Israel should show enough discretion to reflect the fact that it is a TERTIERY U.S. strategic interest in a complex and demanding world.. Israel’s government should act on the understanding that the long-term nature of the U.S.-Israel strategic relationship will depend on Israel clearly and actively seeking peace with the Palestinians—the kind of peace that is in Israel’s own strategic interests. Israelis should understand that the United States opposes expansion and retention of its settlements and its efforts to push Palestinians out of greater Jerusalem." - Anthony Cordesman (2 June 2010) csis.org/publication/israel-strategic-liability

Their cry of end the occupation and there will be peace is a fraud,it has nothing to do with their agenda.

The USA is in deep financial trouble and the last thing we need to do is waste $30 billion dollars for a 90 day delay in the inevitable. Please Israel, do not say yes.

The Palestinians are wasting their time if they think the Americans will ever produce a peace solution that gives them a viable state. The Americans have only one agenda when it comes to Israel, and that's their unconditional support for the illegal occupation and settlement enterprise. The Palestinians would be far better advised to ditch the charade of direct talks, and opt for the Arab peace initiative, with UN recognition of their state, and borders defined by the UN General Assembly, regardless of any American veto.

Gen. Yalon warned that this was a "honey trap." How right he was. The US is now: 1 Refusing to say that there will not be another freeze 2 Crowley is being vague on the jet fighters. 3 They are refusing to say that Jerusalem is excluded Israel should be smart and just say NO.

The situation in the Middle East plays out like a long-running television soap opera. You can miss severeal episodes in a row without losing track of the script. "And now, a word from our sponsor."

It was a lousy idea from the get go. The US taxpayers shouldn't have to bribe Israel for a temporary, partial honoring of their previous agreements. Let's forget ME peace talks and let the French take over this thankless job.

at this rate, it'll take $12 billion american dollars (not counting the $3 billion that is already given in yearly aid or any of the loan forgiveness) to buy a year of israeli do-gooding. i've got a newsflash for obama: the country is broke. i don't care what your friends at AIPAC say, we can't afford to keep playing around with these clowns. cut all aid to israel and palestine too, let the morons bomb themselves into oblivion for all i care. leave us out of it.

And, you know what they say about those kind of deals. Besides what options are left for the Palestinians, if the new talks fail? A lot less than what they have now. It is a non-starter.

With Israel not taking the deal, the US Veto in the UNSC is off the table too. No US Veto clears the way for a UNSC Chapter 7 resolution against ALL of THE illegal settlements in ALL of THE occupied territories. This will form the defacto borders of a second resolution recognizing the State of Palestine. Giving up this deal means Israel is giving up on having a role in negotiating the State of Palestine. Either take the deal, or the first resolution will be in front of the UNSC within 4 months. No one on the UNSC is going to vote against Chapter 7 action against the illegal settlements. All of them have already said they are illegal.

Now it looks like he is checking his frequent flyer points to go somewhere else. The man is a loser with a capital "L" and he is brining his people along the same road to nowhere.

The Palestinians should ask for a public statement by the U.S. as to the illegality of the settlements under Fourth Geneva Convention (Part III, Section I) in order to demonstrate that they are honest brokers. Until Israel hears with their own ears that their big brother will no longer shield them from that truth, the fantasy of expansion and colonialism will persist. The U.S. has tried to appease the spoiled brat with sweets and cuddles, but all they get are public tantrums (re: the latest setllement announcements during Netanyahu's trip to the U.S. after the previous announcements during Biden's visit).

As with the previous construction freeze, the Americans will not ask Israel to stop building in East Jerusalem, but will not say so publicly or in writing. THAT IS WHY THIS ADMINISTRATION WILL NOT HAVE PEACE. IT DOES NOT UNDERSTAND ARABS AS IT TIPTOES AROUND ISRAELI DESIRES AND NEEDS.

How can America protect Israel from itself? Israel cannot simply hope to "absorb" the West Bank without ceasing to be a Jewish state. Sharon knew it. Olmert knew it. The only people who don't admit it are the CURRENT politicians who are, in a word or two, cowards and opportunists. Of course, the day Netanyahu resigns from active politics, he will admit it too. No Palestinian leader will admit they have to give up the "right of return" to his people, and no Israeli leader will be honest about the West Bank. If it wasn't so tragic it would be funny.

For the cost of 20 fighter jets at 130 million each, Obama wants Israel to declare a 90 day freeze on settlement building so "peace talks" can resume. That should be a no brainer for Israel. the peace talks will fail because Israel is controlled by the religious right. In 90 days or less, Israel will have 90 more modern war planes to use against Iran and draw the US into a mid-East war and the US taxpayer will be deeper in debt.

Bunch of goodies for a mere 3 months 'freeze' with more than even odds that nothing will happen within that time constraints? Are you kidding? I'm glad the administration has learned the lesson. Trust Netanyahu? not a chance.

Israel should freeze settlement construction (as it did earlier) for as long as it takes to agree with the Palestinians on the border in WB. (Jerusalem may be excluded at this stage.) The two sides will have an incentive to hurry up: The Palestinians, because they want their state, and Israel, because the settlers will be pushing to build. Once the border is known, the settlers can build in the area designated for Israel. There ought to have been no incentives for Israel to follow international law. It is a bad international precedent.

Just yesterday, the State Department's spokesman backed away from the estimate of the peace talks lasting only one year. His reason was: past experience on the slow pace (which he attributed to Israel). If the estimate of the total length of time for the whole process is extended, then every segment of it will probably have to be extended too, again based on very recent experience. Time for Obama to be real and apply pressure. Nothing will move with no pressure on Israel.

I am afraid the Israelis are about to find out what a Chicago ..".two. step"...is. Bibi....hold firm.

In the mean time, why not go ahead and approve another 15,000 building tenders. That ought to prompt some action by the U.S.