Israel envoy: U.S. ties at their lowest ebb in 35 years

This isn't about land. It never was. That is just the latest battering ram.

Apparently I did not spell it out enough for you, but the poster who drew a conclusion about the population as a whole from her friends' attitudes toward Israel committed a logical fallacy because to generalize about the whole population you need a representative sample. In the other of my posts you use, I noted my own experience on Talkback, which is a perfectly legitimate use of evidence, if you do not draw conclusions that the evidence cannot support. There is no logical fallacy in my post. Get it now? I know it's a toughie.

"I can`t tell you how many posts I have seen claiming the Palestinians are the descendants of the Canaanites." Do you understand the concept of anecdotal evidence? Do you think your post accomplishes anything other than to make you the unwitting poster boy of anecdotal evidence? If you "can`t tell", then try keeping schtum.

Yeah, right. Please show where I stated that God gave the land to anyone. How does the authors' archaeological evidence disprove or discredit anything I actually DID say? That doesn't matter, though, does it? What is important is for you to sulk and whine if someone uses evidence and/or accurate summation of scholarly sources to support any proposition that is not your politically correct position. Sorry, you'll never get anywhere trying to restrict others' use of evidence and sources to support only positions with which you agree. You will only continue to reveal the darkness of your closed mind.

Agenda against Israel as we Americans are finally waking up to BHO`s scam to socialize our nation? Heyho I think the Israeli Jews most probably felt it in their bones what BHO's agenda was. Firstly after he was elected (by most US Jews/Liberals)He made his announcement about Jerusalem being the capital of Israel. And within less than one week,he up and changed TACK and said:Jerusalem will be the Palestinian's capital.. I mean,when you say hey you Jews finally waking up,no I think most were wide awake. And now Israel is being shouted at since his Cairo speech and the BOWING SO LOW the Saudi King which tells most people where his true loyalties lay. And more with each passing day friend. Have a good laugh.I am splitting my sides...

Have you ever tried a course on logic? Did I make some sort of claim that God gave them the land having led them out of Egypt? Why would archaeological evidence to the contrary from Finkelstein and Silberman disprove or discredit anything I have said, then? Is your stab at logic that since some others who support Israel are biblical literalists, and I often support Israel, that you have shown me up as cherry picking evidence if you can show that Finkelstein and Silberman provide archaeological evidence to disprove the biblical literalists? Again, try a course in logic before you waste my time again, genius.

I have your back bud. My family has built in Israel for generations. No one but imaginary diplomats ever told them to stop... It's like the tail is wagging the dog as always! God gave ALL that land to the Jews to build, to live in security and thrive in peace always. Only those seeds of Ishmael think they have any rites... They haven't since he sold his birth rite for a bowl of porridge. It's written Amen! Stand Tall Yawl... Lift up your standard always

Who needs enemies when the trio says it all... Obama forces socialized chicken droppings on us while Biden's lies comforts the enemy and sweet Hilary Robbem Clinton sleeps with the enemy and to hell with those blanket tee blank Jews who only want to live in peace inside their tiny peace of land they love pronounced; Y-Is ra el The enemy of mankind breeds turnspeaks to lead our country into destruction and failure! They think we do not see their ultimate plans... The WHOLE WORLD SEES THEM AND HEARS THEM... WE ARE AWAKE AND READY TO DEAL WITH YOU NOW!!! ARE YOU READY? HURRY, JUMP INTO THE FRYING PAN

Ha'aretz is an antisemetic web site. Just look at all the Jew haters who read this yellow rag. Ha'aretz has for years been a far-left anti-Israel propagandist, supporting Israel's enemies, abroad and within.

Sadly history seems to raise it's ugly head just before Passover most every year... This year is no different... except the Obama-Biden-Clinton trio has made it ever so clear their hatred towards Jews and Israel is undeniable in any language~~~ So these birds of a feather have been taking sides lately and we who are endowed with inalienable rights clearly see their colors and know what camp they sleep... My Jewish roots filter down from the head waters of the Tel Dan into the Jordan R

From another Pssd off,but(not a Socialist) American. You were pssd long ago and with good reason. As for the Jews:I mean the Israeli ones not to be confused with the Jstreet or liberal Jews who put Obama in he white house and UNDESERVEDLY SO TOO. Israel is being picked right now in preparedness for the midterm elections. So we must watch out when we go to vote.

Once upon a time I admired Benjamin Netanyahu as a seemingly able statesman for Israel. I've concluded that my own naivete had me believing he was an admirable politician, rather than an American-educated smoothie. How he has proven his mettle today! I suppose he's in actuality just another typical bureaucrat not unlike the raft of career politicians we in the U.S. have put up with for far too long. In other words, just plain beholden to too many others in the respective governments that elect these wooden creatures. That Netanyahu dismisses his faux pas(s)as something that'll be all right and/or 'just fine' underscores the mentality in his own government that presupposes such a solidarity between our nations. To me it just proves how such arrogance dictates the course of the day and its politics-as-usual. It is simply a validation of time-worn alliances that fail to address concerns of honest citizens of both countries, in the interest of political expediency. Shame!

But you mister take the whole cake in these forums. That you have a HUGE GRUDGE against Jews is obvious done in such vehemence. As:The Jews, I find are very, very selfish. They care not how many Estonians, Latvians, Finns, Poles, Yugoslavs or Greeks get murdered or mistreated as D[isplaced] P[ersons] as long as the Jews get special treatment. Those you misplaced peoples were not decimated by their millions Boston old man.Therein is the difference.Even then Jews as whole miraculously survived without any help and build a life whereever they's resided unlike the ones you have proferred who turn against the ones who rescued thems. You mister are just showing your bias and nothing worthy to read. Why not join the KKK you'd be most welcomed. Yet when they have power, physical, financial or political neither Hitler nor Stalin has anything on them for cruelty or mistreatment to the under dog."

"I can`t tell you how many posts I have seen claiming the Palestinians are the descendants of the Canaanites." Do you understand the concept of anecdotal evidence? Do you think your post accomplishes anything other than to make you the unwitting poster boy of anecdotal evidence? If you "can`t tell", then try keeping schtum. P.S If you actually read the Finklestein, Silberman book rather than cherry picked it for tidbits, you would have understood that the book makes plain that though the early Hebrews were probably Canaanites themselves, this simply disposes of the notion that god gave them the land having led them there from captivity in Egypt. Another bible story laid to waste by the two eminent authors in some detail.

PM Netanjahu should ponder the question about how making Obama look ridiculous helps Israeli security. Michael S. Cullen, Berlin, Germany

"I can`t tell you how many posts I have seen claiming the Palestinians are the descendants of the Canaanites." Do you understand the concept of anecdotal evidence? Do you think your post accomplishes anything other than to make you the unwitting poster boy of anecdotal evidence? If you "can`t tell", then try keeping schtum. P.S If you actually read the Finklestein, Silberman book rather than cherry picked it for tidbits, you would have understood that the book makes plain that though the early Hebrews were probably Canaanites themselves, this simply disposes of the notion that god gave them the land having led them there from captivity in Egypt. Another bible story laid to waste by the two eminent authors in some detail.

Have you ever read the charter of Hamas (1988)? They put a claim on all of Israel's territory ("from the river to the sea") and they want to kill all the Jews. So I'm really wandering what a viable compromise should look like.

"I can`t tell you how many posts I have seen claiming the Palestinians are the descendants of the Canaanites." Do you understand the concept of anecdotal evidence? Do you think your post accomplishes anything other than to make you the unwitting poster boy of anecdotal evidence? If you "can`t tell", then try keeping schtum. P.S If you actually read the Finklestein, Silberman book rather than cherry picked it for tidbits, you would have understood that the book makes plain that though the early Hebrews were probably Canaanites themselves, this simply disposes of the notion that god gave them the land having led them there from captivity in Egypt. Another bible story laid to waste by the two eminent authors in some detail.

Amen

So sick and tired of USA mixing in are you not sick USA killing in AFghan or killing in Iraq or is it only USA allowed to fight Terror ?

Finally - an American administration that holds bullying Israel to account. Hallelujah!

the Islamo-fascist club or the leftwing racist wannabe club? Why don't you join the Hillary-beat-up-the-Jews club? I hear they use truncheons, just like she uses on her husband. We know you want to beat up Jews. Why don't you come right out and admit it? Oh yes. I remember now. There's this NEW WAY. Just let Iran get the bomb and you can blame it all on THEM. Don't bomb, Iran, Israel. Obama needs low oil prices.

True that Palestinians are arabs - but they are still Palestinians - its like saying French and Germans are Europeans - but they are still French and Germans - or like saying Jews and Arabs are semites - nothing more and nothing less - both are nomadic people who by their own historic record do not even belong in historic Palestine but rather come from either the arabian peninsula (arabs) or Africa (the Jews) - so two people are fighting for a land that neither of them is native to - very strange indeed.

or just another insane right-wing talkbacker

Palestinians are Arabs Syrians are Arabs Iraqis are Arabs etc. etc. etc. French are Europeans Germans are Europeans Brits are Europeans, Spaniards are Europeans, etc. etc. etc. Are you starting to get it? Now, except for religion (which is completely pointless), can you tell me what brings Ashkenazi Jews and Sepharadic Jews together into one people? My view is that Ashkenazies are Europeans, Sepharads are Arabs who refuse to be...

for underperforming liberal anti-Semites. Strike a chord, fella? Israel has many countries it can fly over besides Iraq, some are begging them to. Israel never got permission to take out Iraq's nuke plant. Do you need permission from your mommy to go to the bathroom? What if she were out for the evening? Would you throw a temper tantrum like Cruella de Hill? Hillary wants Israel to release terrorists. Great idea. Why don't we send them to Chappaqua, NY, or maybe YOUR town. Israel is now the #1 supplier of arms to India, a growing alliance with a country 4 times the US population. And if the US won't fight terror it's finished anyway. But don't think about ANY of this. LUV Hillary. So what if she used to assault her husband? So what if she's a *itch who goes into hysterical tirades? That's a *lie.* So what if her hubby's foundation gets big $ from Arab extremists. So what if Hillary was smootching Suha Arafat. AND SO WHAT IF ISRAEL GETS NUKED. We know how you REALLY feel about that.

for underperforming liberal anti-Semites. Strike a chord, fella? Israel has many countries it can fly over besides Iraq, some are begging them to. Israel never got permission to take out Iraq's nuke plant. Do you need permission from your mommy to go to the bathroom? What if she were out for the evening? Would you throw a temper tantrum like Cruella de Hill? Hillary wants Israel to release terrorists. Great idea. Why don't we send them to Chappaqua, NY, or maybe YOUR town. Israel is now the #1 supplier of arms to India, a growing alliance with a country 4 times the US population. And if the US won't fight terror it's finished anyway. But don't think about ANY of this. LUV Hillary. So what if she used to assault her husband? So what if she's a *itch who goes into hysterical tirades? That's a *lie.* So what if her hubby's foundation gets big $ from Arab extremists. So what if Hillary was smootching Suha Arafat. AND SO WHAT IF ISRAEL GETS NUKED. We know how you REALLY feel about that.

achieve their goals worked like a charm didnt it? USA went into battle for them in the former Yugoslavia Kicked out Sadaam from Kuwait. ditto and ditto.

Do you want to provide empirical evidence for your one out of three claim, using accepted statistical measures and techniques, or are you satisfied with making it up and then accusing others of being insufficiently scientific? You are the kind of person who gives hypocrisy a bad name. By the way, I had never even seen the claim about Palestinians and Canaanites until Haaretz Talkback, and I did the research in the book I cited after seeing it here from someone who claimed the Bible story showed the Canaanites were there before the Israelites and ergo the Palestinians were descendants of the true indigenous people, the Canaanites.

And visa versa?They would all agree to call it the Persian Gulf? Moslems would stop slaughtering each other?No more killing in Sudan? Major Hassan would take back his bullets?

Palestinian National Covenant (Charter) (Al-Mihaq Al-Watani Al-Filastini) Adopted by the Palestine National Council in 1964, revised in 1968* Text of the Charter: Article 1: Palestine is the homeland of the Arab Palestinian people; it is an indivisible part of the Arab homeland, and the Palestinian people are an integral part of the Arab nation. So who is colonising for whom? Or are you saying there was no Arab immigration to Palestine? Which is/was their right because-? But Jews are different because-?

It was not a wise move for Israel to do what it did regarding the Jerusalem housing at this time, however,Obama is not a friend of Israel. It will only get worse under his administration. 78% of American Jews helped to vote him into office. I guess that late term abortion, socialized medicine and same sex marriage was more important to them than the survival of Israel.

Expect that Obama will get re-elected for a second term. This means 6 years during which Bibi will obviously attack Iran since Gaby wishes to get back at his former tormentors. Am converting my holdings that are on a sale/leaseback provision to outright cash sale and shipping money out to a safe haven. Am taking anywhere from 25 to 50% less just to get out. My own apartment will also go and I'll rent a suite at the King David until the last minute or close to it. Parents have been safely removed, although not without much protest and tears. This is the case of a train heading for a chasm with no bridge on which to cross over.

"If Israel would cease its destabilization of the region by fully pulling out of the WB and Gaza, that would diminish the threat of Iranian expansion." Why should 550,000 Jews uproot themselves from their homes? Jews were only absent from those territories for 19 years. Jews living on their own property is destabilizing? Is that like when Jews practiced their own religion they were persecuted and you find that a suitable argument? On what basis do you assume the area should be wiped clean of Jews? Is it because you don't care for them? Do you think Arabs have a valid reason to deny a Jewish presence on these lands? On what grounds?

"Given Israel`s history, its repeated election of terrorists and the naming of many facilities after them, it is no position to condemn terrorism or public approbation for terrorists." What was named after Baruch Goldstein? Oh, that's right, it was outlawed to officially commemorate him.

There seems to be a suprised response at the attacks coming from the Obama administration against Israel. Its hard to understand why? Anybody with the sense that God gave a doornail knows that Obama is no friend to Israel and is looking for any excuse to damage Israel's image in the U.S. Obama's leftward lurch in the U.S. goes hand in hand with an anti-Israel lurch. Israel had better start planning on how they get through the next 3 years, and what they do if Obama wins reelection and is no longer constrained by having to run again!!!

Now that we are back to the main course of a Haaretz Board discussion, I would hereby agree that such statements are pointless and untrue. Palestinians are Arabs, nothing more nothing less... However, your recollection of Bible talks as coming from Pro-Palestine is motivated by either two things: 1- You are lying your way into this (I'm on Haaretz Boards daily to read what the nutcases have to give for a reason to colonize and I never saw that theory here before you mentionned it). 2- Either you do not read the posts of the Pro-Israel gang (1 out of 3 claims God give them the land)... Which one is it?

Obama is trying to socialize the US? ha ha He is only asking the nation to do what Israel itself (which started actually be zionist-socialists) does for its citizens today - in fact, EVERY western country has universal health care - even Israel.

Roo successfully rebutted Petra's nonsense about US Presidents. Moreover, no US President has ever defended or supported the occupation or settlements. They have always been recognized as illegitimate in official US policy. Even those presidents who outwardly supported Zionism - such as Harry Truman, who did much to make Israel a reality - expressed dismay at the Zionists' ruthlessness and selfishness, as indicated by the following quote from Truman's diary: "The Jews, I find are very, very selfish. They care not how many Estonians, Latvians, Finns, Poles, Yugoslavs or Greeks get murdered or mistreated as D[isplaced] P[ersons] as long as the Jews get special treatment. Yet when they have power, physical, financial or political neither Hitler nor Stalin has anything on them for cruelty or mistreatment to the under dog." The US has tried to help Israel, but has never been entirely blind to its crimes and racist maliciousness.

First of all the PA is the first in a long time if not ever that can move towards peace, the reality is that the Likud does not believe that a Pal state should exist in the occupied territories and that is the crux of the problem. In addition, how is the PA theocratical? Have you seen the Israeli parliment and Jerusalem? It is the Israeli religious nuts that are driving Israel into a ditch much like the zealots tried to take on the Romans only to have the temple destroyed and the jews dispersed as slaves throughout the ancient world - avarice and arrogance before the fall.

With all you quote and there was more of the same, useful idiots were repeating their mantra with religious fervor "AIPAC runs the USA"

First of all, Israel not only takes in billions from the US - it is the only country that provides it political cover - the US can survive without Israel - doubt if Israel could without the US - this is the standpoint from which EVERY PM in Israel needs to view the US. The Europeans are not big fans of Israel -ALL of Israel's neighbors hate it, what ally does Israel have? Israel cannot attack Iran without the approval of the US lest a confrontation occur over the skies of Iraq. Demographics and attitutes are changing in the US and the status quo with Israel must and will change too - Israel needs to see the writing on the wall - the old paradygms no longer work.

The Obama administration is facing mid-term elections in Nov, so they need to get this little "tempest in a teapot" out of the way now so by November, Obama can go back to claiming to be Israel's greatest friend. Meantime, this gives Obama a chance to show that he deserved his Nobel Peace Prize, which was awarded on the basis that he would show support for Israel's enemies.

Sent by Israel to the USA to which you seem to have access.? Both Jordan and Egypt are ruled by non democratically elected leaders who stay in power by force and with large financial handouts from the USA (something you forgot to mention) Your "special friend"the Saudis kicked you out when you needed them. Will Islamists become democracy loving admirers of the USA once you have "solved" the Israel issue to your satisfaction or just continue in their march towards their goals?

The announcement of building 1,600 more homes in E. Jerusalem when our VP was in country is over the top. It appears as though Israel does not want peace in the region by their own actions. Perhaps we need to draw "a line in the sand" and withdraw all military and financial support for Israel until they get serious about sitting at the table and negotiating a durable peace in the region. This would being the best interest of the US and our interests in the region.

as we Americans are finally waking up to BHO's scam to socialize our nation.

"soon there will be a square in Ramallah named after a terrorist, are you aware?" Given Israel's history, its repeated election of terrorists and the naming of many facilities after them, it is no position to condemn terrorism or public approbation for terrorists. Israel has elected two terrorists as Prime Minister - Begin and Yitzhak Shamir. Shamir was a leader of the Stern Gang, terrorists responsible for the assassination of Lord Moyne, British Military Governor in 1944. Begin's Irgun bombed the Hotel David in 1946 killing 91 people (mostly civilians), and had a 2,000 pound reward on his head for terrorist activities. Terrorism is in the eyes of the beholder. I consider IDF who kill Pal civilians to be just as much terrorists as Pal suicide bombers. The only IDF I respect are those like the pilot Spector, who have refused to bomb civilians.

One does not slap an ally in the face as Israel did last week. US policy on the settlements has not changed sinnce they began in the 70's. Knowing this the Israeli government thumbed its noe at its most important ally when the Vice President comes to visit. Where did they learn about diplomacy--from the back of a Crackerjack box.

You can be both, my friend. To understand, you have to shed all the bull coming out of AIPAC and the ADL. They would make you believe that support for Israel means understanding Israel has to mistreat Palestinians for their vital security needs. Not true. In a nutshell: Friends don't let friends drive drunk...Israel is the drunk driver pushing everyone to a ONE state solution. Obama is the friend.

"to #147 SDHD: and the Likud charter?" No one said Likud recognizes a Palestinian state. However, when morons claim that the PA recognizes Israel, it's bunch of bull. The charter still calls for Israel's destruction. They promised to amend it but never did. Did Likud promise to amend their charter and fail to do so? Nevertheless, the government of Israel recognized the PA and put them in power over the majority of their own citizenship and created Zones A, B, C and provided the Palestinians with several other concessions. The PA couldn't even hold up their end of the deal by altering and ratifying their charter as promised.

Obama is not a friend of Israel, neither is Biden. This turn of events had been planned for longer than a year. An opprtunity would have been founf Sooner or later. It isn easier to make demands of a rational entity like Israel than of the irrational theocratical palestinian authority and this is what theadministration is doing. Now, couple it with a president who'll accept a nuclear Iran and would rather see Israel disappear and you'll see that the crisis was unavoidable. Obama rams his "ideals" down the throats of his own public - note the forcing of the "Health" issue. Of course he'll do the same with Israel. HE IS NO FRIEND - not to America, nor to Israel. Bibi - Be strong! Sei Gesund un stark!

"All other US president`s have fully supported Israel." Petra Eisenhower issues ultimatum to Israel demanding she withdraw her troops from Sinai in 1956. President Carter . On Aug. 20, 1980, the UN Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 478, affirming that "enactment of the basic law by Israel[annexing of Jerusalem] constitutes a violation of international law" In 1991, $10bn of loan guarantees were withheld under former President George H W Bush to pressure Israel over the peace process.When the prospect of losing the Jewish vote in the upcoming elections was raised-Bush's Sec of State famously said, "F?k the Jews. They don?t vote for us anyway" Bush Snr in late 1990, 1991 and 1992 supported six resolutions deploring or strongly condemning Israel's conduct against the Palestinians.

Many right wingers are driven by a similar motive no matter what country they hail from: racism. Israel's conservatives and their supporters look at Obama's race and his Muslim/Arab middle name and only see the enemy. They thus treat the White House and consequently the rest of the U.S. as the enemy. Obama was the enemy before he took office, before he supported any policy, before he even spoke of Israel. When Obama was campaigning and said he supported Israel, no R W Zionists believed him because people named Hussein are the enemy. They had a particular world view and their expectations are working hard to make those expectations a reality.

It's obvious from all this that the US will never approve an effective Israeli attack on Iran. It can only be done WITHOUT US APPROVAL. But instead, Israel must commit suicide at US instruction. Why attack Iran? In fact, why keep Jerusalem or Israel at all? Why not just worship America and move to Los Angeles? It's not as if there was a Holocaust or something. America and the world can always be relied on to defend Jewish interests. So why even have an Israeli military? The US will protect Israel. They'll give Israel a GUARANTEE. Believe it. And believe in the tooth fairy. So forget about Cruella de Hill's hysteria, her temper tantrums. There's nothing unbalanced about them. OBEY HILLARY. With a dominatrix you must DO HER BIDDING. Just because she browbeat Netanyahu the way she used to browbeat her husband, driving him to cheat on her, is no reason for Bibi to get fed up with her too. When Hillary snaps her fingers YOU MUST OBEY. Let Iran get the bomb. After all. America needs oil.

"All other US president`s have fully supported Israel." Petra Eisenhower issues ultimatum to Israel demanding she withdraw her troops from Sinai in 1956. President Carter . On Aug. 20, 1980, the UN Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 478, affirming that "enactment of the basic law by Israel[annexing of Jerusalem] constitutes a violation of international law" In 1991, $10bn of loan guarantees were withheld under former President George H W Bush to pressure Israel over the peace process.When the prospect of losing the Jewish vote in the upcoming elections was raised-Bush's Sec of State famously said, "F?k the Jews. They don?t vote for us anyway" Bush Snr in late 1990, 1991 and 1992 supported six resolutions deploring or strongly condemning Israel's conduct against the Palestinians.

Israel believes it owns the U.S. and maybe it does. The White House made it clear that Israel insulted the U.S. not just V.P. Biden. If the U.S. capitulates on this insult, then the tail is truly wagging the dog.

Its time for Israel to begin to realise that in time to come Arabs living in the USA will organise themselves into an effective lobby, which even if it does rival the US Jewish lobby, will divide US public opinion with more and more Americans questions US conditional support for Israel.

Israel should reconsider what the USA's interests are. So many here are making reference to Obama, his Islamic religion (?), his birthplace and race. But what many Obama-haters can't seem to understand is that the USA has spent almost a trillion dollars in Iraq in the last few years, and if you honestly think that money went to Iraqis or to military expeditions, you're mistaken. The US military is largely holed up in large fortresses that comprise the base of our future presence in the region. America will not leave Iraq. Israel is no longer America's military base in the Middle East. The only question now is: can America encourage Iraqi secularists to abide by America's presence in the region? And if they can't, America will start building in Kurdistan instead. I hear there is a lot of oil in Kirkuk.

Read your earlier posts. I was responding directly to your statements in them. Now that we've established that you are out of your depth on the issues you raised, you want to discontinue discussion. Fine with me. By the way, much of the biblical literalism I have seen on Haaretz Talkback comes from the so-called pro-Palestinian faction. I can't tell you how many posts I have seen claiming the Palestinians are the descendants of the Canaanites. The problem is their view rests on the biblical story regarding the original Canaanites, and archeological evidence shows that biblical story to be factually incorrect (Finkelstein and Silberman, 2001, p. 76).

I agree that it would be most unfortunate if Iran controlled the region. It is clear that most arab states do not want this. Iran's best weapon is the shared antipathy toward Israeli actions in the WB and Gaza. It uses this to mobilize many who otherwise would have no use for Iran. If Israel would cease its destabilization of the region by fully pulling out of the WB and Gaza, that would diminish the threat of Iranian expansion. But for the tensions created by Israeli hegemony, the arab states could work more closely with the western world to make sure Iran does not expand its power. The only reason it's so hard for the West, especially the US, to work with arab states is their justified resentment of unconditional US support for Israel. Israeli WB and Gaza policies are the problem, not part of the solution.

"You Jews in US your keeping quite [sic] while your country is humuliated [sic]by Obama administration?" If "your country" refers to U.S., you're way off the mark. This is 1st time in a long time that, along with MANY American Jews, that I've felt that our Middle East policies were being decided in WASHINGTON! Obama's stand is the opposite of humiliating. If "your country" refers to Israel, you're living in an alternate reality - aside from the occasional settler or volunteer for the IDF, American Jews are overwhelmingly Americans first! One last issue: any defender of Israeli policies who automatically dismisses any American Jew with misgivings about our (U.S.) FORMER stance towards Israeli policies as "self hating" is doing their cause no good. It's similarly insulting to write off non-Jews with similar misgivings as being, by definition, anti-semitic. That worked for a long time but no more!

Soros who bankrupts weak financial states, saudi prince talal financing obama to harvard and jstreet who was created by soros to back obama when he tries to turn US against israel wanted this moment. Obama is a front for Soros and other corrupt elements. This ridiculous storm in a teacup shows the real agenda.

Obama should aggressively pursue to explain the whole world, on TV, the dirty business of AIPAC, Wall-Street, anti-Medicare block, war-lobby, gun-lobby and everything. So that at least once, people of the world hear these from a US president.

that's the news I'd like to hear about.

"All other US president`s have fully supported Israel." Petra Eisenhower issues ultimatum to Israel demanding she withdraw her troops from Sinai in 1956. President Carter . On Aug. 20, 1980, the UN Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 478, affirming that "enactment of the basic law by Israel[annexing of Jerusalem] constitutes a violation of international law" In 1991, $10bn of loan guarantees were withheld under former President George H W Bush to pressure Israel over the peace process.When the prospect of losing the Jewish vote in the upcoming elections was raised-Bush's Sec of State famously said, "F?k the Jews. They don?t vote for us anyway" Bush Snr in late 1990, 1991 and 1992 supported six resolutions deploring or strongly condemning Israel's conduct against the Palestinians.

There has been growing differences in a large segment of the educated public including a considerable number of Jewish Americans that the current policies of Israel are not only unsustainable but a source of embarrassment. A lot of news has been dropped rather than reported because of that embarrassment. If I were Obama or the next President, I would do a careful raindance around what is an AIPAC controlled Capital Hill and what is being heard more in editorials that more accurately reflected in letters to the editors by those who use to be adament supporters of Israel in the past. Some big changes have happened and are continuing to happen within Israel and although this war is 60 years of the same debate, the reality on the ground is dramaticallly different and calls for a new approach now. Biden and Clinton felt the sting of that change and so did the American public who reads up on this issue.

... even on Palestinian lands as recognized by international law? maybe you should join the mafia since you seem to have no shame or guilt in advocating crime (e.g. evicting people and their families from their homes).

way to go dude. Israel needs to have more people like you. ps. tell the US they can stuff their multi-billion dollar annual gift somewhere the sun don't shine!

The USA and the EU have to come to the realisation that Israel is an independant country which has the right to govern itself. That means negotiate and make its own calculated moves. Just because its a small country rights are not bestowed on the large countries to bully it. When I was in transJordan in 1967 not one country forced Jordan to give the land to the palastinians. In fact when I was there in 1967 there was no running water nor electricity which Israel provided. We keep on providing and bending, enough is enough.

From the election on we all knew that this is what he wanted to do, and some of us even figured out how he would go about it. Sure enough, it is playing out right in front of us now. We have a pro-Palestinian president in office right now surrounding himself with all types of unsavory characters doing everything he was not elected to do. The citizenry here still has a heart for Israel, it is our crooked administration that has the problems. We'll start fixing that this coming fall.

I think Israel knows that what you are saying is right. This explains the constant attempts by them to create tension between the US and the Arab / Islamic world.

"and I say, "To hell with Biden, Clinton and Obama!" Americans really need to get Israeli hands out of American pockets and Israeli lobbyists out of the American decision making process. That`s the biggest threat to America. Stop worrying about Israel and get on your job.

Bibi has more influence over Congress and the Senate than does Obama - thanks to AIPAC and other pro-Israel groups. I'm expecting Bibi to come out of this victorious, and Obama to have a bloody nose (figuratively speaking, of course :)

ishai is responsible for blindsiding Netanyahu with this inflammatory announcement... and it is ludicrous to suggest that he was not aware of the implications of doing so on the Eve of Biden's visit and the start of negotiations. While conditions are not ideal -- and never will be -- there has NEVER been a better time for negotiations. Haaretz has documented the determined actions of Mahmoud Abbas, and his highly capable police force, to suppress violence on the West Bank We also know that Dr. Salam Fayyad -- "the Palestinian Ben Gurion" -- is hard at work building the infrastructure of a peaceful Palestine. Egypt now pushes Hamas. shard to reconcile their differences with Fatah, and the world has also learned about Hamas gratuitous brutality from the son of it's own founder. Has there ever been a better moment for negotiations? ARE WE -- the jewish people -- the ones who now miss no opportunity to miss an opportunity? Eli Yishai MUST resign for the good of all Israel!

1. Israel is already investigating the how this gaff happened... 2. Israel will never stop building in Jerusalem... 3. Israel already had to free hundreds of pals and remove road blocks, gave back security to the pal areas in the west bank... (basically this demand has already been met) 4th demand... Borders sure well talk... Refugees(not going to happen), Jerusalem (not going to happen), security arrangements sure well talk... water sure well talk, settlements sure well talk... there are two demands that are non starters for the Jews... one is refugees two is Jerusalem... Which ironically are the two main points for the pals... The difference between the pals and the Jews was that we were willing to accept a country without Jerusalem... (we eventually had to fight to get half the city in 49 and took the rest in 67 but that was only due to Arab belligerence) Unfortuantly Obama already has decided the outcome of these talks... so whats the point in talking?

"Israel general politics is not based on peace .they manage the country by anger and hatred".

You keep on pointing at this Science statement. If I am to give you a clue as to what the main thesis of my statement was, it is that You cannot possibly give any credibility to the fact that the Bible gives the "Holy Land" to the ONE TRUE FAITH. If you want to chat about Science and what is a scientific method or not, go on the Science Review Board. In the meantime, if you want to debate whether the Bible gave Jerusalem to the Israelis, that Noah's Ark existed, that Moses opened up the sea... You will find an ear at my end. If you want to prove a point about science and god... you are boring me...

LOL, Israel did just fine without the US for years, if you think Israelis worry about the rest of the world thinks than you don't understand the Zionist underpinnings of our nation.

If I'm not mistaken the likud charter still states that it will not give a viable sovereign state to the palestinians. Hypocracy? Yes I think so. Today a majority of palestinians want peace. That is a fact. Today a majority of israelis do not want peace. That is a fact. Thankfully, Hamas has pledged it will not harm the negociations between the PA and Israel and will recognize the results of the talks if they are submitted to a Palestinian referendum.

In 1947/48 Jordan had a secret agreement with the Zionists about carving up Palestine. Jordan was to have East Jerusalem and the West Bank and that's more or less what they got. It doesn't matter how small Israel is, that's no excuse for stealing another peoples' land. There is NO justification for occupying Palestinian.

Israel current policies do not serve the interests of the United States in the Middle East at large

"Obama is losing friends while encouraging enemies." So is Israel. The difference is that the US has many friends. Israel? Not so many.

You may ask your question again if all "moderate" Arab states have been integrated in a new Persian empire (cf. "Whoever controls ME can rule world" - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad).

Stand tall Israel! Don't let Obuma and his Chicago thugs push you around!

so why NOT build new housing?? Just because the US doesn't recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, doesn't give them the right to decide where hammers and nails are going to fall... Should the city stagnate and dry? And why not allow both Israeli Arabs and Jews to live there together?????

http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/03/14/the_petraeus_briefing_biden_s_embarrassment_is_not_the_whole_story Excerpt: "This is starting to get dangerous for us," Biden reportedly told Netanyahu. "What you're doing here undermines the security of our troops who are fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. That endangers us and it endangers regional peace." Yedioth Ahronoth

AIPAC AIPAC AIPAC this is geting very serious you guys who are living in Israel has no clue to what is going on under the cover or in the houses of US homes, since l am a Turkish-Jew most do not know that l am a part Jew so they open their minds and mouths and talk to me more than they would, everyone is talking about AIPAC and how it is controlling the US govrment for the benefit os Israel, and they need to do something about it, like strongly oppose it did you guys ever heard such a terminoligy called (blowback), well check it out, i think Israel should speak softly while they are carrying a big stick like USA before we loose our stick

Jackie, the Six Day War was in 1967 not 1948.

Fine, to close this useless debate, God gave them the land, God is science, I'm wrong, you are right... and there you are happy in your mind...

How to make up when you have deliberately, methodically, and consistently destroyed your credibility. How to convince someone you have stopped lying? What will it take to get a nation which is tired of being abused to believe the goals of the Netanyahu government have changed. Try regime change.

like we Americans have woken up to his scam to socialize our nation?

I don't believe the announcement while Biden was there was a mistake or a rogue minister. I believe Netanyahu and his government of thugs wanted to happen exactly what happened. They are not interested in the two state solution and had to blow up the talks. It is time for regime change in Israel.

This is what I think is going to happen next: AIPAC will unleash their well known tactics (pressure, blackmail, etc) against anyone in the white house that does not conform with AIPAC'S objectives. However, as it has been the case, the Obama administration have not and will not give in to any of their demands. If anything, AIPAC should be grateful for ALL the support (we are talking billions and billions of Americans tax payers money) that the US has been provided Israel over the years. The US will not bow down to no one and they should not

The fact that the U.S. has military presence in most Arab countries, Iraq,Bahrain,Oman,Jordan,Egypt And Afghanistan,Pakistan all moslem countries, indicates that Israel's importance has diminished considerably. Every Israeli action will endanger American soldiers lives in those countries. This new reality makes it hard, very hard for israel to keep its agression, and land grabbing going on . As for aipac, its influence is more at the senate not the white house, they usually play their hand by threaatenng the white house by getting congress to issue signed complaints by both parties. Do not mess up with President Obama, He does not beat around the "BUSH"

I'm not sure what your mind is superimposing on a mere map. When I look at the region, I see several moderate friends of the US, especially Jordan but also Egypt. They do not destabilize the region through imperialism and racial bigotry like Israel. They do not take billions from the US and then try to bite the fingers feeding them like Israel. Our relations with these countries do not make millions of people in the world hate us. None of this can be said for Israel. I support the continued existence of Israel within its internationally recognized (67) borders, but its desctruction would not destabilize the region - quite the contrary. If Syria or Iran took over Israel, they would gain little and pose no greater threat unless they seized Israeli nuclear weapons. Israel has no oil or other natural resources needed by the West, nor is it in a particularly strategic location. Its "intelligence" provided to the US is usually lies intended to manipulate the US.

JE: "It` personal, Obama vs Netanyahu" No, it's A Change Of US Policy. And what brought about that change? This... http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/03/14/the_petraeus_briefing_biden_s_embarrassment_is_not_the_whole_story

Anat: "The rest of the democratic world is losing patience with what is essentially a lying, spoiled, selfish brat, with no respect for anyone and with "mine, mine mine" as its driving moto" Yep, ya' nailed it; Israel is the Daffy Duck of the family of nations. If you want to understand Israeli policy (past and present) then all you need to do is get hold of a copy of "Ali Babba Bunny". Youtube probably has a copy somewhere.... Israel is the annoying little black duck; you simply can't miss the similarities. Gonna end up the same way too, by the look o' things......

In 1948 Jordan had attacked Israel (along with other Arab countries that had vowed to drive the Jews into the sea) and taken over Jerusalem, as well as Samaria and Judea. During the Jodanian occupation, Jews were driven from their homes and attempts were made to erase any sign of Jewish living in the areas. When the six day war broke out, Israel asked Jordan to stay out of the hostilities, but Jordan hoped to get even more and joined in the attack. Israel won, and that is why people call these lands occupied. Why should Israel have to fight for them again? Do you know how small Israel is, about the size of New Jersey and, in 1948, the distance betweeen its eastern borders and the Mediterranean was less than 30 kilometers.

You talk about Israel being the most valuable strategic ally for the US...etc. What you forget to take into account that the very approach of 'what's strategically in our favor' is a 2-way street. Right or wrong, there are also the Arab states and Iran who have what is THEIR strategic interests. So by that logic you actually think it's ok for them to go on their own agenda. Secondly, Arab states (besides Syria) also do not want a nuclear Iran... or a nuclear Israel. You keep saying "punishing Israel...etc" But seriously you need to stop being a baby about everything critical of Israel. No one is 'punishing' sweetheart, its merely a rift in diplomatic relations. You need to learn that you cant expect everyone to go along with what Israel wants, no questions asked, and at all times. There will never be REAL equality until all those standards you apply so dear to your people are applied equally to all people. Very fundamental moral concept that you seriously need to learn.

Finally, the EEG is showing some cerebral activity by the US concerning Israeli behavior in pursuing its ideological agenda. Two things have to happen (on the Israeli side) for this crisis to lead to forward movement : 1) the dog has to start wagging the tail, and Israel has to wake up to the fact that it is the tail and not the other way around, and 2) Israeli politicians have to relearn to be ashamed ; the loss of this capacity to feel shame or be embarrased (seen in all democracies) is a sad reflection of dysfunctional democracies. Now, for the Palestinian side...

AIPAC and Israeli Government - which is the master? and which will be responsible for the actions of the Israeli Government? It looks like AIPAC wants to punish the US Government for critisizing the Israeli Government. Will AIPAC also take responsibility for the Israeli's Government's actions? or do they just want to play global gang tactics, and protect their gang member when they get into trouble?

I don't thonk Foxman of the ADL wants a linkage between Israel and the war on terror. The fact is Israel's policies towards the Palestinians radicalises youn moslem men in particular to go jihading. Stop the Islamic Jihadists from having this tool you stop the radicalisation and thius starve Al Qaeda of recruits who are killing US and british soldiers amogst others in Afghanistan. As a country as in real estate giving the US a toe hold in the Middle East Israel has declined in strategic importance. The Northern Gulf is now A grade prime real estate. That is Iraq and Kuwait and Qatar where the US has a $1 billion airbase. Even the UK has a runway capable of accomadating the B52. Israel will be supported by the United States courtesy of AIPAC financially, but in terms of real estate, it has declined since the end of the Cold War. The interesting thing is Netanyahu trying to play it down when we all know what happened to Yitzhak Shamir.

So be it. Israel is not a vassal state of America, so they should stop acting like one. The cat is out of the bag, the American govt. led by Obama is no longer our friend. Time for our leaders to stand up and face the world, tell them that we will build in Jerusalem and in the West Bank, that we didn't steal anyones land, we just returned to ours, those that don't like it, can go and drink the waters of Gaza. If Ramat Shlomo is a settlement, then so is the rest of Isreal. If we don't stand up for ourselves, noone else will.

I'm sorry, but rationalism is not a scientific method, nor is any other "ism," including "scientism," which is actually the view you are espousing, but you need to learn the difference between scientism, which is an ideology, and science itself. As to scientific method, the post-positivist view of science, best exemplified by Thomas Kuhn, long ago destroyed the view of scientific method that you confusedly adhere to. I suggest you do a bit more research on contemporary scholarly understanding of the scientific method before posting any more about it.

Israelis believe that the US needs Israel more Israel needs the US. The Israelis should take it one step further... refuse to accept US military aid money, return all the free US military equipment/technology. Sell some of that US military equipment/technology to the highest bidder. Stop the export of Israeli cherry tomatoes and cell phones to the US. Provide greater financing to AIPAC, ADL, Haddasah so that these organizations can buy/influence the election of of zionist friendly US politicians. Place "biting" sanctions on Iran by having the vaunted Israeli navy embargo the Iranian ports that import refined petroleum products.

Benyamin Netanyahu is a friend of the Israeli right and a friend of the US right wingers. His help to the Republicans to undermind the Obama administration is clear. Now for the first time ever, the administration have got the message(as if they haven't had a thousand chances before to spot it)and is fighting back. They will now make Bibi crawl and eat dirt, they have to. It will be interesting to see if Livni takes this opportunity to court Barak, an opportunitist, to challenge the right wing coallition of Benyamin Netanyahu. Kick him when he's down, so to speak. Bibi has been kicking sand in Obama's face for just a little bit to long hoping it would blind him to what is going on. It's 'gloves off' in Washington and "we're so sorry" in Jerusalem. Deeds, not words will be asked for. If you're 'so sorry' then act as if you were. The US adm. will now look to who is loyal to the US security interets and who aren't. The counting has begun.

Ever worried about calls for IslamIc takeover of the UK,abuse of returning servicemen,Ghaddafi being welcomed after the shooting of the policewoman from his embasssy? US servicemen being killed by other US servicemen? PS AIPAC runs it's own show,there have been disagreements in the past between them and the Israeli govt on policy

You claim the wages of appeasement are death. In the years 70 and 135 may Jewish people learned the wages of thinking yourself stronger than you are are pretty high also.

"AIPAC calls on the administration to take immediate steps to defuse the tension with the Jewish State," Is it just possible, conceivable, that Aipac could call on Israel to take immediate steps to defuse the tension with the US????

Are the members of AIPAC Jews who happen to be Americans, or Americans who happen to be Jews? If they really want to support Israel, come and live here. If they haven't enough courage or commitment to do that, just shut up and stay safe in the good ol' USA.

So let't wait till the sooo peace seeking PA (soon there will be a square in Ramallah named after a terrorist, are you aware?) and the Jihad seeking Hamas will find a common ground and join in a unity government which recognize Israel's existence. So far the Palestinians are not a trustworthy party committed to peace, or do you believe that Israel should accept the prospect that Hamas will take over the whole West Bank in future?

Rationalism... this is my scientific method. As for the scientists who believe in this nonense, all I can say is that they don't depend on God telling them they will find solutions to believe that they are on the verge of curing AIDS. For the other dude that is telling that God is behind Israel, I can tell that the Crusaders believed that too... they still lost. You can believe in what you want, but that does not mean it is true. I used to believe in Santa...

I agree with you. It is this simple.

You wrote: "Your [sic] the example of the shining era we live in. With all the science, all the knowledge, some still need to believe that Noah's Ark existed." I hate to disturb your simplistic, dualist worldview, but many leading scientists today are deeply religious. Francis Collins, for example, an evolutionary biologist who headed the Human Genome Project, spoke of a "richly satisfying harmony between scientific and spiritual worldviews." I could point to many other examples. What is your scientific training?

I think the reason this does not go away is that even though AIPAC and others want to make it seem like Obama and his administration are overreacting and are a problem for Israel, the real reason this does not go away is that the White House has been deluged with messages from the American people, that many of us feel like our emissary was ill treated and shown no respect. Also so many people are sick of the whole mess over there that should have been settled decades ago. I think more Americans have been paying attention to where the roadblocks and obstructions in the peace process originate. Americans tend to support Israel but at the end of the day Americans will stand for justice.

not to vote for Tzipi. She would not have let it happen, at least not this way. Israel needs the US a whole bunch more than the US needs Israel.

"Your point is well taken! The only exception is the PA has stopped calling for the destruction of Israel and in fact recognizes The State of Israels right to exist." Bull. They promised to amend their charter, but never did. Their charter still calls for the destruction of Israel. If you choose to claim otherwise, let us know when they drafted the changes to the charter, amended it, and ratified the changes.

isarel leaders and politicians do too much mistakes in international area and .that happens because of irael general politics is not based on peace .they manage the country by anger and hatred.

Your point is well taken! The only exception is the PA has stopped calling for the destruction of Israel and in fact recognizes The State of Israels right to exist. Perhaps you were thinking of Hamas?

...and I say, "To hell with Biden, Clinton and Obama! They're sending America to hell in a handbasket. The Jews in Israel have the right to build wherever and whenever they d___ well please.

is objectivity in dealing with partners and issues, not forcing her authority on them. We all know that the U.S. is driven by her self-interests, but these make her objectivity impossible. Therefore can Israel-PA have a mediator that is pushing her own gain at the cost of her pertners* situation and steering their situation to the direction that is more favorable to the U.S.A than to the partners or peace itself? My sense of justice says "no". I think a change of mediator is in place. I recommend Europe, for Europe has NO self-interests in the ME and even if it had, Europe *d not sacrifice the ME for them. Hereby Europe is more competent and objective and capable of keeping focused.

"Im still laughing at these zionists claiming Israel gave concessions. " I'm laughing that you believe Israel didn't.

It seems that many Israelis and supporters abroad don't understand that things have changed. It sounds easy to blame it on Obama, but it is much deeper. The Palestinians are no longer blowing themselves up in Israel, and Abbas has made the right noises, but what do they have to show for it? The Palestinians are no longer viewed as terrorists, but sometime victems. Tee Neo-conservatives no longer control US foreign policy. They have been humiliated by their failures. The US military believes that the Israel-Palestinian conflict is a threat, and the Tea Party are anti-interventionist. Israel is no longer the only democracy in the Middle East, and the US administration knows it needs moderate Arab support to counter Iran. The administration has not changed US policy toward Israel, only stopped looking the other way. The Israeli administration really needs to understand the new environment and at least appear to play along

"Then tries to tell him they are "insulted" by what he plans to do in HIS OWN LAND by BIRTHRIGHT!!!!! Common Gimme a Break!!!!" Birthright? What birthright? You mean being a Jew? There was no covenant made with a "Jew" You must be referring to Gods covenant with the bloodline of Jacob. Well dummy, there was NO mention of a Jew in that covenant. So unless you can prove DIRECT linage to the Israelites you have no case. If you are an Ashkenazi your ancesters were pagan Khazars who converted. Birthright indeed!!!!

The manure is going to hit the fan in Europe and the UN once they really see whats going on in the largest open air prison in the world. I hope UN troops go there the next day and reopen the ports, and airports. Im still laughing at these zionists claiming Israel gave concessions. LMAO If you call curfews lasting more than 30 days concessions, and checkpoints where people are degraded, delayed, humiliated, and even deadly concessions, theft of their water supplies a concession, fishing boats attacked with water cannons and machine guns a concession, having your olive trees uprooted and burnt, your homes demolished by D9's a concession?!!! You people are in lala land for sure OR you think the rest of the world is blind and ignorant. Thats only a partial list of the most generous Israeli concessions lmao Yeah the Palestinians should be on their knees too.

But hey, try to make sense by calling the other side Fanatics while you claim that the word of the one you call God is whispered into your ears. Your the example of the shining era we live in. With all the science, all the knowledge, some still need to believe that Noah's Ark existed... outstanding!

I know how he looks at home and his home does not look like Gilad is inside.

Obama is acting like a junk yard bare fisted bully, out to seall the little countries lunch, or in this case sovereignty and security. Back off Obama.

Sir, Kindly read the Laws and Conventions you refer to. They deal with their applicability.

US: liberty and the pursuit of happiness for its citizens Israel: ditto, but only for its JEWISH citizens. Shared values, but the difference is in the application.

Who does (Washington) think it is? The US President recently treated Mr.Netanyahu like a Leper by not having a formal diplomatic audience with him, to save face with "the Muslim Arabs" then shoves him out the back door (Literally)like a piece of garbage. Then tries to tell him they are "insulted" by what he plans to do in HIS OWN LAND by BIRTHRIGHT!!!!! Common Gimme a Break!!!!

People have no idea of geographics, security and facts on the ground. Ramat Shlomo is a city within Jerusalem which is on a mountain that overlooks the entire Jewish area. It will not be negotiated away and is there to stay and can expand itself any way it wants. There are other major communities that are on the map never to be removed. It is Israel's obligation to establish these points and prevent expansion in the more remote small areas. There should be no misunderstanding as long as the futile peace process continues. the upsurd list of Clintons demands are infantile and absolutely non-diplomatic, seeking to placate the spoiled arab regime which threatens to not talk peace. Let them walk away until they are ready to really pursue peace. They should know at this very moment- very specific areas will never be given to them. The sooner the world knows this, the better. The state department and certain democratic 'leaders' are just waiting to whip Israel into submission

One by one, Israel is losing all its friends.

Mark, you seems to be a bit naive. But I was sure you would argue by invoking the threadbare argument of the international treaties, which Israel alone should accomplish. Nice try. I want agree with you if you apply the same standards on the Palestinians and the Arabs (about hate incitement, terror and genocidal goals). But so far no word from you. What a pity. Sleep well in the middle of your warm Rocky mountains.

Do you understand the concept of anecdotal evidence? Do you think your post accomplishes anything other than to make you the unwitting poster girl of anecdotal evidence? By the way, my aunt smoked five packs of cigarettes a day and she lived to be 100, and you know what that proves, don't you?

How is occupying the West Bank strategically important to the United States? If Israel withdrew to the pre-67 border, Arab countries would recognize Israel and that would greatly increase everyone's strategic interests. Let's not kid ourselves if Israel did that and was attacked then they could justify reoccupying those lands indefinitely. Israel's army is stronger than any Arab neighbor's army hands down and could take them all at the same time. Occupying the West Bank is not strategic, it is greedy.

Is this a survey using scientific polling methods, Labhras, or a self-selected group of biased individuals like you, who always provide more in the way of heat than light, and can be counted on to claim they represent Americans? There may be some changes in attitude in real polls, but they are likely to be temporary due to the almost comically short length of the news cycle. The more enduring reality is that the American electorate is highly polarized and it is unlikely to move in tandem on any issue, contrary to the claims of Talkback Israel baiters. By the way, if there is any country on life support it is Ireland, about which you used to be so boastful.

AIPAC will get what it wants, no problem for them, but let me say something important: It is now obvious that Obama will lose the next election. Up to this point the American establishment did not let him pursue any of the stuff he wanted, including the health reform, Afganistan, huge personal payments with bail-out money... They do not let him...So if I was in his place, knowing that I have nothing to lose (given a guaranteed election crumble) I would agressively pursue to explain the whole world, on TV, the dirth business of AIPAC, Wall-Street, anti-medicare block, war-lobby, gun-lobby and everything. So that at least once, people of the world hear these from a US president.

Israel is not going to make peace---unless it is forced to. As to removing roadblocks---sure they have---but reerected them around the corner. As to demolishing "illegal" settlements/outposts---those they do are put back up within a day or two. You are truly hopeless pms---. BTW ---if you have any proof of the above---do feel free to provide---but puleeese ---no rabid rightwing "PALWATCH" stuff.

... this be balanced by idiocy championships as well? And politics, is perhaps the best craft to prove it!

Obama seems to specialise in making enemies out of friends! We in India are acutely aware of this skill of his, which got him a Nobel Prize! We are waiting for 2013 for him to be voted out of power (may be forced to relinquish office if he continues to work the way he is doing now). HOPE THAT HAPPENS SOON!

"Israel is not as important as it was during the cold war I`m afraid." Ok then, so why are people all for linking all the problems in the middle east to Israel and the pals e.g. US admin, Blair etc etc? Obviously, they still think Israel is important.

Nothing has changed with regards to the US/Israel 'strategic' alliance. This is merely a euphemism. Israel was never so important during the Cold War, and its relative significance persists. Its a nice way to phrase the notion that the US likes Israel for ideological reasons. I find the deterioration in the US/Israeli relationship disconcerting but I find myself blaming Netanyahu for this setback. I agree with all of Clinton's request with the exception of releasing prisoners. It never made sense to me that Israel has to release so many prisoners given they pose a significant security threat. No other country in the world has been asked to do such things in order to generate a perception of goodwill.

best regards, cipora

Unless you call never recognise Israel a concession? Israel has been removing road block, demolishing/freezing settlements that are obviously not going to be in the final deal. There is going to be land swaps.Too bad Pals did not make a stae in the WB and Gaza when they were under Arab rule or before they announced no peace in 1967 before there were any settlements Strange that,why was there no cries of free Palestine in WB and Gaza? Why arent they calling to liberate Jordan where ,most of the Mandate went?

I've nothing against Americans, or Brits, who support Israel. What concerns me though is those Americans or Brits who seem very happy to criticise their own country but refuse to criticise Israel ever, in any way. I mean it's their democratoc right, but it's counter-productive. Israel's and America's interests are not the same and if AIPAC always chooses Israel over America, eventually it will alienate other Americans. On the other hand, if it showed more balance, if it was sometimes capable of criticising Israel, then ultimately it would be more effective as a lobbying group and would be do Israel more good as well.

Israel---out of 1200 responses. Many of them demonstrating the long penned up distaste for Israel,s policies and poking their fingers in Americans eyes---over and over. It was notable how the wilingness to speak with total honesty increased as the numbers of participants increased. What was also notable was the reaction to the usual Israel firsters (in a minority --unlike J POST) who were insulting POTUS and telling Americans to mind their own business amongst other self defeating efforts to defend the indefensible. I just wonder how many of those Americans are sharing their experience of what Israel and it,s supporters really think of them. And how many will now be speaking out and watching far more closely how their tax dollars are being spent. Best not to bite the hand that feeds you. The same hand that is on the oxygen bottle that keeps you alive---at the UN.

Support for Israel among Americans is at a 19-year high, a February Gallup survey of American attitudes toward international affairs has found. According to the telephone survey of 1,025 American adults conducted February 1-3, just 15 percent of Americans side with the Palestinians, while 23% either said they support both sides, neither side or had no opinion. The support for Israel marks an upward trend since the mid-1990s, when Gallup measured readings as low as 38%, rising to 58%-59% between 2006 and 2009. According to a Gallup Corporation statement, The current level of support was last seen during the 1991 Gulf War.

Some people believe that there is already a terror state, armed with nuclear weapons in the Eastern Mediterranean. Like it or not, since the invasion of Iraq the strategic importance in the region has shifted to the northern Gulf. Israel is not as important as it was during the cold war I'm afraid.

"Fewer and fewer Americans stand by Israel." Which, according to the polls, is simply untrue. " I don`t know a single person who does, and that includes all my Jewish friends." I doubt you have that many, if any.

Obamanation is responsible for Israel's discomfort. All other US president's have fully supported Israel. Obama is a pro muslims Pres and on his way out.

Why is it that Israel needs to make "a substantial gesture" to forward the so-called peace process? Israel has time & time again made concessions & gestures. It is time the PA does something. Like maybe stop calling for the destruction of Israel. Like stopping their TV stations inciting hate. Like stopping the hate incitement in the schools. Like not hero worshipping terrorists. Just for starters...

Why not announce the construction of 1600 housing units for Palestinians in East Jerusalem at the same time?

Nice diatribe. Now, name one Israeli concession of something not-already a Palestinian right by the treaties ratified by Israel's government. Ancient Israel was settled and created from the east. Modern Israel was created from the west. Nobody gets it all. This in 2010 CE, not 1200 BCE. Different rules are in effect. Nobody is asking for unilateral Israeli concessions. Many are asking Israel to honor its written word, given when it signed and ratified international agreements and treaties. Good Night from the overly warm northern Rocky Mountains where it is mid-spring and no snow has fallen for months.

then i miss to see, why you "blame" any clinton, obama or whoever for this condemnation ? also difficult to see, why the presense of an american during announcement, or their "mild speech" may give permission to violate geneva conventions ? if its wrong from the law, then it is. the US or CHINESE or RUSSIANS could nod until doomsday, it wouldnt make it right...

If Israel will release Palestinians and will stop the siege of Gaza ,that mean that Israel will not be more a Jewish state will adopt an universal morale.

Fewer and fewer Americans stand by Israel. I don't know a single person who does, and that includes all my Jewish friends.

i said to try to imagine israel being replaced by a terror entity. you did not bother with this thought experiment. israel offers a piece of land right in the middle east which is terror free and which is a pro-western democratic ally. you also seem to lack historical perspective. islamists do not want u.s. troops on they consider their holy muslim lands. they want americans out of the middle east. iran's nuclear weapons program has nothing to do with israel. you are forgetting that the chant in iran is "death to america." you are forgetting that american diplomtas were taken hostage in 1979.

This crisis "story" appeared in my local newspaper on page 10 as a 2" article - the 6th largest city in the USA, US ties are fine, the problem is the antics of our worthless jerk President, who has managed to screw up everything he touches, has completely lost the trust of the American people, and is nose-diving in the polls. Promising an "open", bipartisan administration, he has been battling with even his own party, can't work with Congress, is hiding from the press, even fewer press conferences than Bush because all he can do is read prepared lines from a Teleprompter. America has rejected his extremist Leftist moves, and picking a squabble with Israel is seen here just one more example of the ineptitude of the Obama White House. In midst of sensitive Iran sanctions talks with China last month, our idiot President announces an $8 billion arms deal with Taiwan, enraging China, wrecking the Iran talks. Eli Yishai does not have a monopoly on amatuerish behavior - Obama wrote the book.

Anyone who reads the news, can see that Israeli politics have been hijacked. Shas and the ultra-orthodox may as well erect a Kaaba-like cube in the Knesset. You know, that sacred black granite edifice Moslems worship in Mecca.... but instead, place a Magen-David at it's apex-core. Interior Minister Eli Yeshai and the Justice Ministry are the holy vortex spear where Israeli policy emanates from. Bibi and Barak... and certainly the opposition mini-mouse Tzippi, are relegated to a mere mouth-piece status. These days, the Israeli interior policy has been recast from a dried and ancient dream of a lost Biblical world. And yet we continue to deceive ourselves... this will actually work.

its impossible to see even slightly realistic chance of having those criminal thugs in gaza and the west bank running a state. they have had the chance for years, and failed in the worst possible way. there is not even any improvement. jordan and egypt have to take the responsibility for them, and to establish law and order (no possession of weapons, rockets, punishment of murderers etc). most likely, jerusalem will stay divided, and the parties have to confirm the borders. everything else would cause a war, in which no party can win any territory (geneva conventions).

You know her. She?s got wild eyes and rumpled hair. At some point she stopped caring about the stains on her blouse. She?s hurt, angry, rejected, and she?s willing to take the whole damn place down with her. an insult to the Obama team is not an insult to all Americans. The Obama team needed to be insulted for their betrayal of ally Israel calling it a peace process. Peace is to be distrusted. like the peace efforts between Afghanistan and Soviet Rusland.

that Haaretz has not found out about? I know the most important thing for the normal Israeli is the relationship with the United States. Will they allow Netanyahu to keep polishing his name Plaque on the door of the Prime Minister's Office? Or will Shas or Lieberman or even both be kicked out of the Coalition to make way for Livni. Of course Netanyahu hasn't just presided over the demise of the Unites States/Israel special relationship. The Israel/European Union is also in a state of collapse, the relationship with Russia is on life support, China the next great superpower ignores Israel. No wonder Netanyahu is trying to say it is business as usual. Everyone knows what happened to Yitzhak Rabin

This so called president of ours is an Obamanation. Most Americans stand by Israel. I hope this long legged freak gets voted out.

according to obarmy? israel is the 53rd state and must take orders from the federal government ? the real question in 2010 is what is america offering itself under the dimocrats ?

There is no "right of conquest," defensive or offensive. Israel didn't want to give Gaza back to Egypt. That's in the Carter notes. The Egyptians agreed reluctantly. And the Jordanians don't want the West Bank. That still doesn't make either Israeli property. Read the actual language of the Conventions. It is enlightening.

The Palestinians/Arabs must first of all (and finally) understand that the 67-armistice lines will not be the future borders of their aspired state. If they are serious about peace, they must start to accept the Jewish/Israeli roots in the ancestral Judea and Samaria territories, included East Jerusalem. The fact that they since now failed to show any kind of compromising attitude - so much that Abbas did not even answer to the last Israeli offer for a nearly 100% land swap made by Olmert in September 2008 - is the proof that their true aim is to damage Israel, not to find a lasting peace based on a fair compromise. Actually, you should know that after the Independence war in 1948 East Jerusalem was conquered and occupied by the Jordanian forces. What happened with the native Jewish residents and their Jewish holy sides was ethnic cleansing at the worst: expulsion and destruction of all Jewish life was the result. The present Palestinian claims on all disputed territories appear again to be the ugly old form of Arab racism, well reflected by the level of incitement to hatred their propaganda and education is embued with. On these terms and as long as the Palestinian/Arab side doesn't show more flexibility and respect for the Israeli/Jewish position and existence in ME, there is no real common ground that enable to change the status quo. This must be clear to all those, included the present U.S. administration, who deceive theirselves in the illusion that putting pressure on Israel alone can lead to a semblance of solution. Unilateral concessions from Israeli side (Lebanon, Gaza strip) proved to be a own goal and no Israeli government (regardeless if right or left) will agree to repeat the same mistake. You can take this for granted.

there are no 1967 borders they are armistice lines with jordan. there are no 1929 borders but there is the 1924 mandate borders which is precisely where israel is right now !

This is exactly why i wanted Bibi as our pm rather than Livni.

Israel has lost all credibility. The rest of the democratic world is losing patience with what is essentially a lying, spoiled, selfish brat, with no respect for anyone and with "mine, mine mine" as its driving moto. A bully in the playground, with a completely twisted view of their own motives. I used to defend Israel's behavior, or at least try to understand where it came from. But it's too much now. It's become a dark, nasty, selfish clown.

"Demand" no 1 is nonsense. "Demand" no 2 is all the money, if it's serious. And the Israeli response? Intensify hasbara!!! Same old, same old...

israels politicians never study history so they are always in crisis talks with america . the latest round of recriminations being replicas of past buffoonery by the usa ! even if serious negotiations were afoot the latest outburst by the dwarves in the us adminstration have killed them off before they begin !

The American hard line with Israel is due to their frustration in Afghanistan,Iraq and Iran. So they take it out on Israel. It's not Israel that has to make peace with the Palestinians,it's the palestinians that have to drop their demand for Israel's destruction. When the Americans realise that all this shouting and screaming like a spoilt brat serves no purpose,then maybe we will get somewhere.

The Arabs started several wars against Israel. They lost these wars, and as a consequence, they lost part of their territory. They should get used to it. And, by the way, "Hamastan" and "Fatahstan" would be failed states. The only viable solution is to give Gaza to Egypt and the West Bank to Jordan, and let them take care of their brethren.

Actually Israel is becoming quite a libility for the US -- the continued status que in the middle east is a continued source of tensions between US and the entire Muslim world. Israel being the first and only country to posses nuks in the middle east is another contentious issue when dealing with Iran. US obligation to cover Israel ass in the UN with veto votes is a source of conflict for the US with the rest of the world. What exactly does Israel offer the US in return?

I am so confident that non of the US demands will be fulfilled by Bibi and his government. He has been playing around since he took the office and the world was watching. The US and EU now, for me, look like Arabs in a sense that their only way to react is to deny and spread action-less words. The US can't stop Bibi, the EU is literally in chaos knowing not to do. However there might be some cons: On the one hand, this may mirror a picture of what Bibi's government is doing and also emphasizes occupation and therefore alters the world to do something on the ground. On the other, it may mean that the world, even the US, can really do nothing about this conflict. So we might be seeing some power shifts in international politics. I don't know who is replacing whom but the US and EU are apparently loosing their influence. In any way, Pals are the biggest losers because of Bibi's policies and nothing is expected from him.

Obama knows It is only a matter of time before there is a nuclear Iran. Nothing, short of Irans total destruction will stop it. Obama is undermining peace because he wants a settlement freeze? Just a couple of points on that. As you know, under Int law settlements are patently illegal. Without a freeze there are no peace talks. So Cipora, by insisting on a settlement freeze Obama is actually facilitating peace talks. It is time both sides make peace so both Israelis and Palestinians can live normal lives.

The rights of conquest were pretty much outlawed at Nuremberg in 1946-48. Then they were abolished by the Geneva conventions. Some Germans thought, before 1939 that their conquests would be permanent. But lots of people didn't agree. The German conquests were kinda violently annulled and then the German conquerors that had survived the annulment got tried at Nuremberg for the trouble they put a lot of people to. Israel came to be after the "right" was annulled.

an asset to the US in its ME policy. The problem has ever been the level of Zionist influence in US legislative processes, which made it well nigh impossible for any US Administration to loosen the ties; any loosening had first to come from Israel. It may have started.

I think Obama has to meet up with Putin in order to get things done and to achieve peace. IMHO a strong message has to be addressed to Israel: accept the 1967 borders or the worldcommunity will impose a peaceplan which will be based on the 1929 borders of Palestine. In the mean time, in case Israelis will be defiant: Obama and Putin can strike a deal on the final location of the new Israel. The current Israel shall IMHO be transferred to northern Siberia as Israel has lost its right to exist.

All the world has EVER asked Israel to do is honor their agreements, international accords and the Geneva convention. Yes it is an old script and one the world now insists Israel adheres to. Mark of Lewiston said it perfectly. Read his post above.

How long Israel going to ignore the basic rights of the Palestinians?? May be US finally comes to its senses that Israel current policies do not serve the interests of the United States in the Middle East at large. When this reality becomes a policy, then we might see the changes needed to bring Israel closer to a normal state in the Middle East. So America do wake up....Israel is pushing every one to war and more destruction.

"For conquests during 1967 and later, they want to negotiate. But your government thinks it has the right of the 67 conquests." OK. This means that Germany will also get back the territories we lost in World War II?

Of course Netanyahu has no choice. Settlement building will stop, as it should! Israel has put themselves in a terrible negotiating position. They will not end up with an undivided Jerusalem, in fact those very 1600 apts. will become part of the Pal capitol. ISRAEL'S ILLEGAL EXPANSION DAYS ARE OVER at least for the time being. We all know Israel will do another stupid thing to eventually scuttle the talks.

ore the Biden's visit saying "Israel will have to prove it wants talks with the PA". This "proof "are the sweeping concessions,agrreed between the EU and Bambi to be wrought up from Israel as a baksheesh to the PA for her finally agreeing to indirec "talks". Stand firm Israel or Bambi would force Israel to accept the pal "refugees" too

One could not but have respect and admiration for Israeli, they have repeatedly offered to meet any Arab rulers and have invited all Arab rulers to come to them. They even did that for President Assad of Syria. What more do you expect from them to do for issuance of peace in the region? Surrender their sovereignty, the land, the places holy and reverent to them to Arab leaders who are too busy in London, Monaco and at the Palm Casinos VIP roulette rooms to deal with this Middle East issue beyond the Arab League ultimatums they fight each other?s bloody to manage for an issue of it. What evidence the Palestinians have shown since Arafat landed in Ramallah that they are capable of living peacefully with Jews in the land and have the means to develop a basic state and economic institution that can sustains them for some decades. None whatsoever, so anyone in Washington expect Jews in Israel to oblige to all these unreasonable demands incessantly made to them is a fool. The game is obvious, The Crusaders of Malta and the Vatican Bank used Israel to rob the Middle East of trillions in cash, Israel accepted the help from the Crusaders that evicted them from Palestine and scattered them all over the world, oppressed them and treated them lesser than human out of desperation, now they no longer needed. Israel is in position to say no, our land, our sovereignty, the places we reverend gets the priority of our policy, it is above and beyond having to compromise with the Christian genocidal who in any intelligent person opinion are gonner, faces a dead economic and social end.

Nobody can blame Obama for looking after US national interest and security. Your policies are far below western standards, human rights, and our association with them is hurting us across the muslim world. We will NOT be pawns to your petty interests. You have crossed the line and we will no longer remain silent and back you to our detriment. You are either with us, or against us. It's as simple as that. Elected officials who side with Israel against US interests will be exposed and they will answer to the electorate come November.

It seems that the American administration has decided to throw Israel under the bus. The fact that they are now suggesting Israel may be responsible for deaths in Afganistan is quite telling. Check out this piece on how the Obama adminstration is weakening America and abandoning Israel: http://anothermudpit.blogspot.com/2010/03/weakening-america-and-abandoning-israel.html

....when he interpreted the U.S. reaction to the crisis (in view of Bidens "mild" speech in Tel Aviv on Thursday) as green light for further Israeli settlement expansion into East Jerusalem. I assume, that was also what the Israeli governement felt by then. God, they really got it wrong this time!!:)

You asked where is one real concession from the Arab side. They are willing to concede your conquests up to 1967 when those conquests were clearly not an approved method of acquiring land according to the treaties and international agreements signed by Israel and ratified by the Israeli government. For conquests during 1967 and later, they want to negotiate. But your government thinks it has the right of the 67 conquests. What concession has the Israeli government really offered? Is there a single concession the Netanyahu government is even considering offering that is not already a Palestinian right under Geneva IV? That's just one.

What concessions? Israel has never made any concessions. It has only ever been asked to comply with international law and UN resolutions, something it objects to doing. Sheer arrogance. The sooner Zionism is a thing of the past, the better!

Relationships with the American people are not at their lowest--- not even at the lowest with the State Department given its traditional anti-Israel/pro-Arab agenda and grassroots anti-semitic culture. What is at their lowest is the relationship with the White House. What's also at a low is the relationship of the White House with the American people. Obama has not just continued to polarize the country and seemingly adopted the role of ugly but cheap slut looking for "love" from America's enemies. Has the White House lost its grasp on reality? America is in deep trouble and its seems that Obama is trying with all his might to stuff it down the toilet and go that extra mile to appease the enemies and helter-skelter alienate the friends. Intent? Agenda? 10 moves in advance on the chess board or fools mate?

As if we needed another example of the contemptible arrogance of the state of Israel and Zionists generally. The clock's ticking....One state solution, Palestine. If you racist onanists can't see it coming, too bad!

It was predictable, it was inevitable and it is very dangerous. Even if Obama will be a one termer, the damage is enormous and the danger existential. Now is the time to ask help form everyone and to confront him full force no matter what.

It's also been reported that the impetus behind the US's new hardline is a critical report produced by none other than Gen David Petraeus, who suggested that American security is at risk because of the government's unwillingness to bring Israel to heel. Of all the powerful lobbies in the United States, none is more powerful than the military. What's more, Petraeus has been picked as a future GOP Presidential candidate. Perhaps the times really are a changin'.

All this pressure on Israel is one- sided and unfair. It is an indication of how far from being an honest broker the Obama Administration is. Where is one real concession from the Arab side? Why must Israel always appease the Palestinians? Perhaps what the Americans truly want is to overthrow the present Israeli government. Netanyahu should not insult, and not accuse back. But he should stand on our own.

Looks familiar - definition of wikipedia. Any other comment is useless: The term puppet state (also puppet government, marionette government) describes a nominal sovereignty controlled effectively by a foreign power. The term refers to a government controlled by the government of another country like a puppeteer controls the strings of a marionette. A puppet state has also been described as an entity which in fact lacks independence, preserves all the external paraphernalia of independence, but in reality is only an organ of another state who has set it up and whose satellite it is.

Put the double-faced policies aside and decide who you want to be.

I have come to a different conclusion than Oren and do not believe that any accommodation of U.S. "demands" will result in a better relationship. Reading Obama & Company's nasty and lopsided behavior towards Israel, I seriously believe he is attempting to undermine Israel's very security and existence ultimately. His taunting of Israel's "peace intentions" was TOTALLY unnecessary. He could have communicated in a civil, discrete way but PURPOSELY did not. This was unconscionable as what it he did was to FUEL ANTI-ISRAELI SENTIMENTS WORLDWIDE and perhaps endanger the lives of Jews throughout the world. We NEVER hear him talk about Islamic Terror. He will NEVER use the two words in the same sentence. I have NEVER been a conspiracy theorist but have NO OTHER Conclusion that makes sense to me. He is abetting Islamists who want to first divide Jerusalem in order to ultimately control it. In my opinion, he is the most DANGEROUS figure alive to the safety of either the U.S. AND ISRAEL.

I think not. Obama thinks he can use this to squeeze more concessions from Israel. Time for Israel to stand strong and turn this into a two way crisis with the U.S. that will bring Obama down from the tree. Turn this into a no win situation for Obama and the Democrats.

..... until the democratic process of other nations run into conflict with US agenda. Then the USA could not give a damn about the democratic process of other nations.

Keep up this up and Israel will be in the same league as North Korea. I have seen american public support turn on a dime and a flash. Remember you keep up this spoiled mindset and still insult america you will find that so called support in the dust bin. According to General Petreus american soldiers are dyinjg in the battle field because of our support of Israel. NO american wants to died for a cause where Israel continues to steal land from Palestinians. Make your choice folks...you can go along with our program or just on your own way.....the choice is yours.

..."To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven:" (Ecclesiastes Chapter 3) A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sow; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war; and a time of peace.

How big was this place in 1945? In 1947? In 1948? How many people lived there then? Was in inside the City Limits then? Or was this land that was built on only subsequent to the conquest of 1967? There are lots of Arab villages that were outside of Jerusalem in 1945 but have been declared inside Jerusalem since the 67 conquest. What were the city limits in 45? in 47? In 48? Modern Israel came to be after the right of conquest was abolished. Israel signed a treaty that says there is no right of conquest. What kind of ink was used that said, "except Israel" on the treaty? Why can't non-Israelis find that language? Was that part written in Klingon or Vulcan or Romulan? Why can't those who insist that the right exists point out the language?

This government and its PM take the US and the world for stupid : planning 50000 flats (i.e. at least 200000 inhabitants) on illegally occupied land is not authorized out of kindergarten. Unless this is democracy in Middle East fashion.

We have seen worst crisis that this one in history, and Israel has survived. The post Sinai campaign Ensinhower-Ben Gurion. The 1973 showdown Kissinger Golda Meir, etc. Israel has survived those ones and will will survive this one. The American people are basically more pro-Israel than they are pro-Obama. Obama will certainly feel this in the next congressional elections. It is wrong to asociate the American people with the intellectual elite of Harvard and Yale. The congress which represents American people understand one single thing. All of Jerusalem belongs to the Jews. Nataniahu has a case and has great chances to win his case.

Bibi's continuance of settlement on Arab land has endangered the US Israeli relationship. Continued settlement jeoprodizes the future. Arabs will not forget or be bought out on their ties to the land, and so Bibi is not only ruining the present, he is condemning Israel to a perilous future. No peace for generations.

Well lets face it with that combination they might has well create a coalition with Tehran. This goverment is as was to be expected a complete failure.

The crisis IS NOT about some apartments in Jerusalem; it is about Israel's ongoing campaign to continue in a direction the rest of the world considers wrong.

There you go again bleating that Israel is asked to make concessions while Palestinians don't give up anything. The Palestinians have nothing left to give up. Almost everything they had has already been stolen from them

Not "politically incorrect", Rascal. More like an example of racist prejudice at its ugly worst.

you can blame the raise of Iran on the miscalculations of Israel in the last 30 years. (Lebanon Wars, Gaza, and the many missed peace opportunities)

In US, Presidents are elected for 4 years. Obama won a whopping 363 electoral votes, when it requires 271. I suggest you ask Israel to run for US election next time. Until then, stop making yourself sound like a fool.

It's either Obama or it's Bibi...Obama wants Israel to give "more" in every way for a silly and unattainable peace goal while Bibi is resisting. Whose wrong here? Well, when survival is on the line Bibi is correct and Obama is wrong. But the big "O" doesn't like to be wrong. So...the US-Israel relations. Interesting that Obama goes about apologizing for US meddling in other country's affairs but he has no such reluctance here, in Israel's affairs.

Vital Strategic Importance to the West ? What sort of delusionary thinking is this ? Israel does not appear on the West's strategic thinking screen. As long as people in Israel think like this - they will continue to base their political thinking on foundations of sand. Next thing is that they will delude themselves into joining the EU, but not accept the responsibility for decent political and human rights behaviour.

Luckily, Israeli politicians have to look after the interests of their own people and not of the likes of Alfredo #12 in far away Sydney. It is not God, who is the top priority, but the strategic interests of Israel and the safety of its people. Now, if only Netanyahu and his colleagues could finally absorb this simple fact.

You Israel don't act like an idiot and don't think you are US colony. There is no East and West Jerusalem there is only one Jerusalem and any Jews has right build there. America ane not commited to Israel security any more, if that is the case they could not prusserize Israel to accept any Palestinians demand. Israelis don't act as if your US colony I repeat.At the end of the day this will not help you. You Jews in US your keeping quite while your country is humuliated by Obama administration? My message to Obama is this are you really christian or not? God will look at your angrily if come to power to destroy Israel.

I hope Binyamin Netanyahu will not reverse the decision made. In fact, I will Binyamin Netanyahu will proudly confront Hillary the Miss Crazy clinton. I want binaymin to approve more and more building apartments. See if Obama and his administration can do anything about it. Look at Iranian Ahmed dinejad? His defiance is evident Obama is so stupid and cannot do anything. Israel, be strong... just go back to G-D of Abraham, Isaac & Yacoob.. Repent and you will be fine. Show to the world that your passed history with G-D intervention is repeating now. You are smart nation, come on... you dont need USA. You must make your own most sophisticated weaponary.. Nuclear power.. Defeat USA and Russia or China techonolies.. be number one and they will not harras you...

No investigation needed to detrmine 'who gave the order?'. Netanyahu is the boss and the buck stops with him at any event. The other 3 demands, which are damn serious, Israel will be hard pressed to fulfill because it goes against its grain and core philosophy, and besides, many of the ministers subscribe to the notion, expressed so well by CJK that the whole affair is a "storm in a teapot over few buildings"... This time even AIPAC will not be able to easily extricate itself from the pit it is in. The situation is as serious as with the Pollard affair. Israel will find that the US is hard-nosed about what took place last week. Netanyahu will not be able to b.s his way out and he should not be allowed to.

US interest is decided by the US government NOT Israel

The unbridled child has run amok in the middle east. Assassinating politicians of foreign countries, arresting and kidnapping others, stealing land that doesnt belong to them. By law we should not be supporting Israel being that they are not a law-abiding country. All aid should be stopped, all humanitarian fund collecting from Christian and Jewish organizations should be frozen just like we did to the Palestinians. Both sides should be getting only the minimum of any aid. Military should be cash on the barrel ONLY and it should be for defensive purposes only with a penalty for using it in any other form or manner. Its about time this little unruly child was shown some discipline. Little spoiled kids grow up to be real bad adults.

So when the Turksih goverment critizes the fanatical right wing Isreali Government. The Turkish Government is labeled as anti semetic Islamist government. Now the US goverment is repeating the same line as the Turkish PM. Come on Isreal have a good look at yourself, the world is not biting. As the Turkish PM and US Goverments are now saying, sometimes friends speak the truth.

According to the polls, his approval rating is the lowest of any president's at this point in his tenure since they started keeping track of such things in FDR's presidency.

"... Clinton's list includes at least four steps the United States expects Netanyahu to carry out to restore confidence..." Wow, that is ooooover and beyooooond line of your juristriction, Mrs Clinton! Let Netanyahu rule Israel. Thanks for your concern,but NO, thankyou! Just incase you forget, let me remind you: JERUSALEM WILL NEVER BE DIVIDED. IT WILL BE A CITY FOR ONE PEOPLE FOREVER. It doesn't how circumstances of various kind give the impression that Jerusalem is about to be divided politically. It never will.

Obama has Bibi exactly where he wants him - by the short and curlies. Don't expect him to let go any time soon.......

Ho hum. Not really. Jewish vote is what is important. If Israel dissolves tomorrow, oh well. All these American pampering with Israel is just to get votes. Just to get funds. No more. Now, if Israel has billions of barrels of oil... America will save ya, brother.

... there can be no buisness-as-usual as he pretends... ... the USA was rudely awoken to the political and human reality here in Israel-Palestine... ... a radical re-appraisal is urgently called for...

I also don't want a nuclear Iran but if this is the only way to make Israel stop the bullying tactics in the region, so be it. If it wipes out the Middle East, so be it. If it wipes out humanity, so be it. Soo sick and tired of Israel. Tired, tired, tired, tired of Israel.

This is part of the Obama/Clinton/Mitchell/Abbas new game plan. Now it is the USA making demands for pre-conditions without negotiations and dictating the terms of Israeli surrender. Stand firm Bibi, you have nothing to lose, Obama hates you either way, he bows only to the Saudis.

Presidents come and go. Empires come and go. Israel is the only ancient world that is still around. The Egyptians came and went. The Babylonians came and went. The Romans and the Ottomans came and went. Israel still stands and it's for a reason. Don't give in to Obama, the UN, the EU or anyone else. G-d is with you.

It is about time that the US show Israel that they are serious about making peace happen. They have pressured the Arabs to resume talks without explicit promise from Israel to settlement freeze as Israel demanded, Now is time for Israel to take some minor steps towards peace.

That can't be bad !

Opinion polls here show that Israel is more popular with US voters than is Obama!

The US is now showing that that Barak surely defends his brothers. Poor Israel, so small and close to the US and so far from G-d. And where is Shalit? Isnt that supposed to be mentioned in the negotiations? etc. May G-d not bless america any more. Sorry, forgot that it is already happening - look at america and see what it was in the 50's, 60's etc. Goood, they deserve it.

undivided." Barak Obama. Due to pitiful failure of "unclenched fist" policy to enemies the Administration should have some achievements elsewhere and misplaced sense of its humiliation should be assuaged. Israel should diligently work to help to stabilize the mood, if not the memory, of the current Administration. Honest attempt to fulfill demands of President Obama, David Axelrod (and R. Emmanuael) should be undertaken.

One need only look at a map of the Middle East to understand Israel's vital strategic importance to the West, and to the US in particular. One need only imagine what the situation would be if in place of pro-American Israel, there were an Islamic terror state. Try to imagine the military nightmare if Israel were replaced by Iran-Syria, or any other terror state. Just dare to imagine such a nightmare.

What the U.S is asking for maybe tough but not crazy. There is no statement here saying you must give half of Jerusalem. Step one investigate why this happened, not a tough task. # 2 reverse the decision on Ramat Shlomo. If we are not building for years just reverse the decision you can always reverse it right back! #3 If you release a few stone throwers who have never been in trouble before it wouldnt be the end of Israel. #4 Issue a declaration. Here would be mine. You get the whole of gaza and about half the west bank there are no more refugess coming to Israel. Jerusalem is ours. Drink some water if you want and all settlements will remain in place we can do some dessert land swaps to connect gaza and the westbank and then we are done!!!!