Peres: We want U.S. ties to return to positive state

Stature well, and show how , us Americans cannot be pushed around that easily.. Never again becoming "PUPPETS" to others. It is comforting to see OUR politicians ASSERTED themselves without fear of the their future elections/ election contributions. That it is their jobs to the Administration that comes first.Nothing else. We all know that if OUR politicians are firm they will be RESPECTED, but if they are weak to certain influences then they will be ridiculed as "Puppets on String" "without backbones" Please Mr President, Mr VP Biden, and our Mrs Clinton. Chin UP Always.Make US proud of you all.

he was trying to avoid having 1.5 millions Arabs Palestinians for DEMOGRAPHIC reason. A S. Knows that there will never be Peaceful coexistence as long as there is OCCUPATION of Arab Territories.He said so too. But Natanyahu/Settlers are going straight for a BINATIONAL State, where sooner or later everybody will be able to have ONE MAN ONE VOTE. Guess What will happen?

When The AL AQSA mosque comes down, the Jewish state will certainly go down too from the forces of the 1.5000 Millions of MUSLIMS of this world. Just think before opening your mouth. a friend

Diplomacies and Etiquette to All Politicians.

By religious dogma?I think not.The majority of Israelis are secular.Therefore your assumption is WRONG. And if you care to think more clearly America is A CHRISTIAN country no matter how much they may deny this fact. One has only to open the TV to watch all the fundementalistic "pastors" including of course the BLACK church for you to grasp the truth and not be decieved. And frankly we don't give a damn either.If you are tired and find it tedious in these forums and these discussions better not come here. And enjoy your self in sunny Californaye.

"only an idiot would say what you said" There's an old riddle that goes like this: A drunk and a complete idiot are arguing. How do you tell which one is the complete idiot? Answer: In the morning the drunk will sober up. The other one is the complete idiot. Now try this version. A wise man and a complete idiot are arguing. How do you tell which one is the wise man? Answer: The wise man is not arguing with the complete idiot. If you think somebody is a complete idiot, then the important question is not "What does it take to convince this complete idiot that I am right and she is wrong?". The important question is "How many other complete idiots agree with her and how will their stupidity influence the situation?" Am I wrong?

Only a complete idiot would say what you said. First , you could not defend yourselves against the vast amount of countires that hate you without the US. If you "killed all the palestinians" you would be committing genocide and you would be wiped off the face of the earth as a result. Don't say I don't know the real world or war, I spent three years of my life being watching myfriends get picked off one by one by people trying to expel a foreign army(us)- If Israel wants peace it should be willing to listen to it's allies. If it wants to be alone in the world than it certainly is taking the right road for that. Perhaps Yahweh will deliver you out of it and by magic it will be all better. If this is the way Israel treats it's friends no wonder it does not have many!!

USA is only asking Israel to follow Israel's best interests. Look, you get patronage jobs from USA. "Which state gets this spare parts deal? Ohio? Utah? No, Israel!" But most of your money comes from Europe. And they don't want deals with war criminals. So you can say, "Look, we're negotiating a settlement!" And they say "OK, good enough, here's your great trade deal!" All you have to do is start talking. You get perqs from talks and when you get the rewards you quit. All the Pals get is talk. They say they won't talk this time until you show you're serious. Show them you mean it. Stop building in disputed areas during the talks. And you refuse! A tiny little delay, just long enough to start talking and get your loot, and you won't do it! Delay building for a few months. And you scream like the USA is going to take away your capital city. It doesn't make sense.

At 3B a year, our U.S. representatives (President, VP, Sec. of State, etc.) deserve more courtesy than has been shown. Shall we divorce????

"SDHD Does your hate invision me down range with an apple on my head in the cross hairs of a scope?" Absolutely. And the ammunition is to make fun of what a numbnut you are.

first you have to establish properly who is a palestinian, you see Israelis also are Palestin ians, that the name of the whole area given by the romans. it has never been a country or anything like that. so dont insult peoples intellect. you may like those arabs, but they are strangers,most of them in the land.they are Jordanians.

I am sure Nethaniahu wont make the same mistake as Sharon did of leaving Gaza. There is no way, since it is possible hamas will take over that part and then what, terrorism, rockets, etc. no way. the only way is for Jordan to take over that land, Any way Jordan was established as a homeland for palestinians, it is the real Arab portion of Palestine. dont make yourselves naive, it is the only way.

Before all this charade of peace bewtween Jewish Israel and Arab palestine takes hold, first arabs, I mean Abbas and the Hamas people must to make peace themselves and then a unified voice can be heard and conduct bussines in a peace accord with Israel. There is no basis, at this time for peace negotiations and to talk only with Abbas and friends, then the outcome will be only a State in the area of west bank but not including Gaza.

Settlements in east Jerusalem are NOT in anyones best interests & certainly not Israels....enough already!

head in the cross hairs of a scope? As for not having much use for racist crap I guess you don't re-read your own and avoid mirrors! ..... .......PEACE EVER?

Israel gave over the Gaza Strip and the palestinians immediately destroyed it and began lobbing more rockets into Israelthe same day. They have completely destroyed the territory given to them. They have always been nomads and never had land. Jerusalem is not a settlement and that is why this argument is so stupid. Jews have always lived in that town in northern Jerusalem and Arabs never have. Enough already!

My exact thoughts. Everytime Israel caves in to the desires of pro-Arab countries (now including the U.S. of A.)they lose land and citizens. The beautiful Gaza Strip that Israelis worked so hard on to become a paradise is now in shambles with no industry and only grafitti to feast ones eyes upon. So much for the Palestinians proving they can make something productive of their situation. It's no longer "Those poor Palestinians"!

You know what's happening in Holland how the original dutch ppl have enough of yours kind? well it will happen to Denmark sooner than later, so instead get involved in this story about USA, Israel relations that are good and always will be, you should think where you going to immigrate next, muslim country i suggest where you can rom free???

No one in America with any sense or honor among themselves would agree with the meddling of affairs and the insults propagated by the Obama administration and especially Joe Bide, Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama dressing down the whole of Israel, not just the government. As an American citizen, please accept the apologies of all God fearing Americans and believers in the State of Israel as a Sovereign Nation and I myself personally, have asked God's forgiveness for the American political machine and want the Great People of Israel to know that you have a friend in me always. I am sorry for my government. Shalom.

All you have to do is compere speeches by Obama and Nataniahu and you can see that Obama speech is full of air, boring and full of bull, but Bibi's is short and clever and understanding, no preaching like Obama did,Obama will be 1 election wonder as he dazen't know what he is doing, he jumps from one subject to anther with out ending one, mess...

instead writing idiotic comments on the one greatest president SHIMON PEREZ I would start looking for new country to go to somewhere in Sahara desert, look around what's is happening in Holland and how much the Dutch ppl had enough of your kind, by electing someone who will clean the country of the terrorists.Good luck Willy

Hillarious needs to prove that she is something more than an "almost-made-it-to President" job-nik doing her darnedest to hold on to reins of power so she can position herself for 2012. Here's a news flash, Hillarious - in 2012 both you and Obonehead will be sent packing by the American people.

How the USA have the right to demand anything from Israel? The USA needs Israel more than Israel needs USA, the only country in ME that USA can trust, everybody knows that so called "friendly" Arab country's are supporting financially the muslim terror, and what about Iran with the retarded leaders?So the stories about the USA demands and so on is just a lot of bull.Palestinians have no right to East Jerusalem at all, it was Jordan territory before they decided to wipe Israel of the earth in 67 with all the other Arabs help,hehehe and it didn't work,beckose hashem almighty was with us, and Israel is the nation of brainy ppl, and brave soldiers, so since than they have decline any right to Jerusalem so what's the problem, pals wont it? we all wont sometime something we can't have, and the Arabs are lucky that the Dom is still standing(good for tourists).They could have destroyed during fighting in 67 but they didn't, so consider yourself lucky and stop the demands!

We dont care what obama or clinton say as far as most christians , you can run the palestinians into the sea ! Laus Deo

First of all there are no written US guarantees concerning Israel's security.There is no US-Israeli written alliance pact.US always avoided it. But it doesn't matter:How worthy were the US guarantees in South Vietnam and some other places.Lately in Poland and the Chech Republic. I forgot Georgia.[Not the one in the US...]

Hillary,Rahm,& Axelrod.

Hamas, NOT the Palestinian Authority, are the ones who called for the "Day of Rage". Since we all know that Hamas should be marginalized and they are not going to be involved in any potential negotiations, it is highly misleading of you to accuse the PA of calling for the "Day of Rage" since everyone knows that it was Hamas. More Zionist attempts at obfuscation.

I remeber the time, when the Plas called themselves the decendants of the Philistines, but they are still there; 80% of the Tunisians have the same DNA, but have nothing in common with the Pal-Arabs* DNA. Nowadays the Pal-Arabs call themselves the decendants of Canaanites! The reason G-D gave them into the Jews* hands was, bc they practised child-sacrifice in their idol worship ceremonies. I could almost believe they are Canaanites, considering that they still practise child sacrifice as we all have witnessed still in our modern times....

Instead of working with Israeli intelligence services, the U.S. should ask the Dubai police chief to help in the fight against Islamic terrorism.

"SDHD Just how deep does your name calling hatred go?" I only make fun of anti-Semites and mindless anti-Israelis. I don't have much use for racist pieces of crap. "When ones argument is weak start the name calling....its probably a bottomless pit! PEACE NEVER?" You mean, you can't have a strong argument and make fun of the racist moron you're arguing with at the same time? Thank you for making this so easy. Why don't you move further down range and put an apple on your head.

my grandmother used to say: "man plans, G-D decides".

The USA did a whole lot to create this mess. Lots and lots of military aid to Israel, lots of UN vetoes etc. If at this point the USA just backs away and supports neither side, the Israeli economy will go bad and the Israeli military advantage will start to erode. It is predictable that Israel will try to export all the Palestinians. But nobody wants them. Israel will be more and more forced to kill them. Meanwhile, seeing eventual defeat from the status quo, Israel will be forced into a desperate war to resolve the issues in Israel's favor before Israel get weaker and the enemies get stronger. That might easily involve nuclear attacks. It would be bad for *everybody* for Israel to become a true pariah nation. This has happened before and the USA was aloof; many millions of people died including six million Jews. The USA has a responsibility to find a way to defuse it now while the outlook is still so promising.

BDS, the reason Israel has not been able to define her borders and still cannot, is bc the Pals turned down the UN Res. 181 in 1947 November. It offered them a state of their own, but the Pals rejected this offer, bc they did not want to have the land divided betw. them and the Jews. They wanted it all for themselves alone. The Jews did not throw away her chance to statehood, but grabbed it. SO; Israel has gone on as a state, while the Pals* greed to "have it all" backfired and therefore they are still boiling in the mess their own obstinacy brought onto them. Since they still want to "have it all" and not "it all" is possible for them to have, their statehood is delayed and the borders undefined. PS.: with "boundary" I meant something else. Check it in your English dictionary.

When ones argument is weak start the name calling....its probably a bottomless pit! PEACE NEVER?

to nr. 20- noah: fortunately not any country rules the whole world. there were some who tried it in history and we all know how that ended. when one country would dominate the world (world-hegemony) it means the end of democracy, freedom of expression, opinion and speech and many other important freedoms and of human rights. it also means dictatorship, terror, tyranny, autocracy everywhere and (perhaps)for always. every country thinks first at its own intersts (often) at the expense of its own population and of that of the rest of the world/mankind. we can better have a democratically chosen worldgovernment/worldparliament and that every country is a democracy.

Peres: "We want U.S. ties to return to positive state" Clinton: "We want a positive committment from you that all construction is frozen." JB: "So which will it be, Old Man?" It'll be BOTH, imbecile.

me: "No one even talks about the 1948 borders being the official ones, clown. They talk about the 1967 armistice lines being a starting point for negotiations." Dummings: "Sounds good but largely wrong." You're largely an idiot. Even the Arab League's offer is based on the 1967 borders. "The original borders prescribed by the UN and accepted by Israel in 1948 are Israel`s official, legal borders." You're officially an idiot. Ever looked at any maps of Israel? Arab maps don't show it at all. Everyone else's show it at the Green Line. Who talks about the 1948 borders, moron? Start naming any diplomat who does so, and quote him/her.

Me: "No one even talks about the 1948 borders being the official ones, clown. They talk about the 1967 armistice lines being a starting point for negotiations." Labrhat: "Excellent--at least you are past that "Greater Israel" momnet." I've believed in a 2-state solution for decades, you utter dunce. A shame Arafat rejected 100% of Gaza, 94% of the West Bank, and a 3% West Bank equivalent swap from the Israeli side of the Green Line. That's over 97% of the territories for a nation that he pissed away.

Get a clue. Sharon did not pull out of Gaza to do the Palestinians any favors. Supporting and defending the few Jews in the midst of 1 million Palestinians was too expensive. Had the move really been to move the peace process forward, he would have coordinated the move with Abbas, allowed some credit to the moderate Palestinians, and thereby put Hamas in a box forever. Lacking that Hamas won a free and democratic election based on their ability to provide social programs, hospitals, and schools. It was just the outcome Sharon wanted. BTW, Israel refuses to discuss borders,which of course, would make all the settlement disputes academic..

Interesting analysis on history here. There is a history of loss by the Jewish people of the land - the Egyptians, the Babylonians and the Romans. It was Darius (Persian) who freed them from Babylon and ordered the temple to be rebuilt - the one the Romans destroyed. Jerusalem was a Canaanite city with a history at least 1000 years prior to the Jews arriving. The Canaanites are the ancestors of the modern Palestinians. Sinful Israel(i government) should be more concerned with its own actions than those of other men? The fear is that history will repeat itself.

"Stand firm and stick to your guns Israel"

"The US, EU, Russia, and the quartet have made it clear that peace negotiations should be based on E. Jerusalem as a Palestinian capital, and discuss all core issues including borders and refugees" How can such tiny state defyes the Whole World?

The Jewish lobby has, over many years since WWII, kept a firm finger in every American pie. From banking to mortgages, defense industry to Foreign Policy and now even the US intelligence community seems unable to function without the Jewish lobby's say so.

The current situation is a test for President Obama. Does he have the courage to stand up to Netanyahu and his puppets in the U.S. congress or does he develop a spine and finally say enough to Israel's violations of international law, binding UNSC resolutions and ICJ rulings at the Hague. I suspect he will capitulate to Netanyahu but hopefully he will prove otherwise.

Natanyahu must free his government from those trouble makers Right Wing extremist

"Netanyahu, make Israel's boundaries known to them all" Good idea, but the world has been asking Israel to do this since 1948. Israel refuses to define its borders, so that it can keep on expanding.

if the meddlers had not stopped israel time and again on the verge of total victory this problem would have been solved many years back ! unfortunately like so many patrick hasnt aclue as to the real world !

To wishing out loud, doesn?t make it true. You know there is no country on earth (literally!), that support or justify annexation of East Jerusalem, not the UN, not the EU, not the US absolutely no one.

Obama's advisors telling him the wrong thing.They don't understand that the terrorism is directed at the US constitution, the real enemy of the Islamists a political ideology wrapped in religious papers that will not coexist with democracy. Israel is the obstacle for them destroying the human rights reach of the US.Clinton J Street see Israel as the cause and by giving the US president the wrong information the policy is going wrong. US foreign policy is amking the me MORE DESTABILIZED EMPOWERING American enemies and enemies of freedom.Peres don't try to make nice with this ineffectual dangerous and incompetent and biased administration that is not standing up and helping the Iranian people, chinese dissidents, Tibet, women suffering mutilation in congo, nigerian children being slaughtered by muslims, etc etc.America exists to stand up for freedom without which there is no freedom.The world needs a US president with a wide world view not a biased racist who doesn't understand US power

Richard Perle himself said (it is on tape) that even remotely criticizing Israel in US is a political suicide, he did not even hide this fact. It is much easier for an Israeli politician to criticize Israel in knesset than for an American politician do the same in the congress, infinitely easier. Americans, including Clinton, is afraid of Israelis and AIPAC, super-afraid. However you will see that Bibi will carry on with the settlements because in the long term Bibi wants confrontation, the friction between Israel and US will burn Obama. There is 95% chance that Obama will lose the next election and things will be exactly as Bibi wants.

I am afraid to say Michael you are getting your hopes up too quickly and this is not the time that in your the US has finally seen the light on your eyes. Unlike the West Bank that most Israelis could not give a toss about the vast majority do about Jerusalem. There is no Israeli government that would dare stop any building in East Jerusalem even Ben Gurion would not have done it. The US can not force its will on what the vast majority want in a democratic country as that goes against all US democratic principals too. They could not seen to be undemocratic. Plus AIPAC are piling on the pressure to Obama and make no mistake he is not above it and it he will fear it. The US has tried something realised it has backfired and they will not do it again. Now they are just trying to mend the fences. Netanyahu on the other hand has out manoeuvred Obama again and come out stronger than ever.

having started in 1920 with 100% the intended jewish state lost 78% to perfidious albion and arab palestine . in 1937 the peel commisision proposed taking away another 14%. the arab invasion closed down that plan and israel lost 12% which was recaptured in 1967. jews live on only 8% of the land at present . what do you say is greater israel? as usual your stupidity is oversized !

"We have deep respect for [U.S.] parliamentary and executive institutions, led by President Obama," Peres told a group of high school students in Holon. "We want these relations and are interested in returning them to their regular, positive state." Maybe it's time you had acted on your words, Shimon. But you don't...this is a salami tactic...you saying one thing and the cabinet doing something else altogether - which by the way, Shimon, you would also have done if, IF, you had ever won an Israëli election. You are a good bureaucrat & henchman but not a good politician, Shimon. It's way past retirement time for you, many people are tired of you and your double speak. Cut a few ribbons & complete your term without interfering in the political process. It's not the place of the president of Israël to do that.

To which the reply will be.... Clinton: We want a positive committment from you that all construction is frozen. So which will it be, Old Man? Positive US ties, or more apartments? It appears that you can't have both, you have to choose between one or the other. Think about it, but not for too long, OK?

How about america stop proping up a puppet regieme and let Israel fend for itself. Full of self worth and motivations for your motives but still somehow for better or worse still need US to support you. You want to antagonise your neighbours maybe you should defend your actions in isolaton

Didn't the Jews conquer the land from someone else around 1000 BC I mean were't there people living there already like the Cannonites

So, it is clear, who controls whom - Bibi got command and Clinton rampaging as rag on stick. Her hypocrisy is awful. It is from bad to wors, that Netanyahu, who carefully destroyed every hope for peace, now accused Palestinians. And she (Clinton) is totally blind and deaf...

'No one even talks about the 1948 borders being the official ones, clown. They talk about the 1967 armistice lines being a starting point for negotiations.' Sounds good but largely wrong. The original borders prescribed by the UN and accepted by Israel in 1948 are Israel's official, legal borders. This is the only land it has ever declared sovereignty over. It does NOT include Beersheba, Sderot, the Triangle, etc. The fact that the UN wants negotiations based on the 1967 Armistice Line (the Green Line) is down to one thing only: the PA has not insisted, as they properly could, that negotiations start on the internationally-recognised 1948 borders. They would be justified to do so. The fact that they haven't and are prepared to surrender a large swathe of territory that increases Israel's depth, is deliberately ignored and trashed by extremist Zios like SDHD. The PA's unrecognised generosity is sadly a big tactical mistake when dealing with a venal nation like Israel.

"No one even talks about the 1948 borders being the official ones, clown. They talk about the 1967 armistice lines being a starting point for negotiations." Excellent--at least you are past that "Greater Israel" momnet. Well done.

To you all writing here and to US people. USA should cut off all aid to Israel aspecialy military help, then we will see Israeli behaviour towards Palestinians, Iraniens and the entire world.

from the British(?), from the Ottomans(?), from the Crusaders(?), from the Persians(?)? What right did they have to conquer the Jewish Land and establish their own rule in it? Re-claiming back the Jews* own Land, these conquerers took, is rectifying the wrong done to the Jews. Do you advocate the right of the conquerors* descendants to the Land of the Jews, so that wrong done to the Jews will remain wrong and will never be rectified and you call this "justice"? What a twisted sense of right-and-wrong you have, Labrhas!

Labhras claim that Israel's borders go back to 1948 and everything else is illegal goes to the heart of the Arab- israeli conflict and why the Arabs will never make peace with Israel. The Arabs did not recognize the 1948 borders and will not recognize anyt border. No matter what Israel does, compromise, give back territory it won in wars strarted by the Arabs, sacrified its' soldiers in defending itself etc, Jew Haters and Arabs will never recognize the Jewish People's right to a homeland or live in peace. That is why Israel has to put its' security first. If that means anatagonizing the International community who will not defend Israel if it is ever attacked again, then so be it. Israel cannot afford to lose a single war. If it does, all 6 million Jewish Israelis will be exterminated. Sounds eerily familiar to me.

" Israel,s official borders are those declared in 1948---everything else is illegally aquired." No one even talks about the 1948 borders being the official ones, clown. They talk about the 1967 armistice lines being a starting point for negotiations.

At the end of the day Obama will convince Netanyahu that a just peace where the Palestinians lift their head high is a lot better than Iran to gain more popularity in the Middle East It is impossible for the U.S.A. to be effected against Iran when Israel keeps on occupying Palestinian land and building more settlements. Israel can not have it both ways.

You come across like that yahoo from Richmond who is delighted to restart where Grant and Lee left off. Be aware that our current force are the most highly trained in history and they are oath sworn to uphold the Constitution, not the tea-bag. Our forces are also the best equipped in the world. Even the codger, McCain will see you for what you are.

I have always supported Israel as the only Mid East Democracy and a friend of the US. Every year I slip a little away. It seems everytime there could be the possibility of peace either the Palestinians or the Israelis do something to thwart the worlds's efforts. This time it is clearly the Israelis. I am more and more feeling like many other Americans, let's just disengage, quit giving money to either side and let them solve their own differences in the bloody way they know, let their hate take hold so they can destroy each other. No doubt I will recieve loads of hate mail from unreasonable right wing jews and fanatical christians telling me that I have offended God-So be it!

Everything is on it's way back to normal... It won't be long before Israel is announcing more settlements, palestinians are being evicted from their homes and the US is funding the weapons to force the action. God bless America!

who has spent 60 years demanding and taking at will. Those days are over Liza. Israel,s official borders are those declared in 1948---everything else is illegally aquired. Time to change your tack Liza---a new approach. the old one of agression and subjugation is no longer the flavour of the month.

Every time israel builds some houses in the captured territory, the Palestenians throw stones and US aks israel to stop the construction.If Israel is NOT ready to give captured territory, then it should not talk to palestenians however legitimate their demands may be.The Muslim Umma does not even allow temples or churches in its territory or democracy. Israel should openly declare this.

All the more reason, if both Israel and the Palestinians want Jerusalem as their capital, but it legally belongs to neither and the UN is too slanted to manage Jerusalem instead of either, to learn to share it equally. One city, two capitals. Unique in every way.

....you are fighting pretty much the same fight over there as the moderate Palestinians do !! Let's hope and pray that in the end you will both be successful, but that will require a smart U.S. president Obama with lots of backbone.....

The Palestinians deserve nothing. Confront Syria and it's proxy in Lebanon. Deal with Iran in the harshest manner. This is the help America needs from Israel right now. It's a heavy burden Israel. The US has helped and protected you enough. Get the job done. The middle east needs this change to move forward.

while Clinton flashed her claws. The unexpected ugly U.S. behavior has demonstrated that the might of the U.S. is all implementation of its force and no diplomacy, no expert knowledge. Netanyahu, Israel, TRUST yourselves; you know the best what is good for Israel! Only you.

On that day I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock. All the nations will gather against it to try to move it, but they will only hurt themselves

"It looks like you have picked a side in this battle. Perhaps you should pack your bags and move to that side of the ocean. We expect our citizens to be on our side. You know, sort of a loyalty oath." Clara "you picked the side that does not believe in freedom of speech.freedom of speech is the most fundamental right of any human being. without freedom of speech no person can advocate for his other rights. " Kohn Would you be referring to that oath of loyalty demnded by zealots like you of "Some" of the citizens of Israel. Give the BS a rest Kohn. The only free speech you favour , is that which panders to your agenda---which is --all Arabs shut up or get out.

this "commitment" starts with protecting Israel from the Pals* unreasonable demands and violent rhetoric and actions and it should start at this moment. What is there to protect of Israel, when she is no more and the U.S. has contributed to that? AND what measures has the U.S.A taken to protect Israel from the Iranian nuclear deterrrance?

It was the US that made a big thing over itand alwys makes things worse than they are and on our land as well.

the more Israel caves in the more their demands accumulate, the more extertion, the more temper tantrums, the more intimidation.....till Israel collapses under all the steam. It appears to me that this is their aim. Stand firm and stick to your guns Israel.

Israel needs to heed the reality in America. America is war weary. Israel/Palestinian conflict escalation is putting US soldiers in Islamic countries in peril. Relations with China are wobbly. America owes lots of money to China - how much goes to Israel? Health care is better in Cuba. Homeless people are increasing Public schools are closing... "Detroit to close 45 more schools" By Andre Damon 17 March 2010 (World Socialist Website) Robert Bobb, the emergency financial director hired by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to oversee shrinking the Detroit public school system, announced his plan to close 45 more public schools on Monday. Bobb?s plan entails the closure of five more schools than had been previously announced. This would bring the number of schools closed since 2005 to 140; more than half the district. Bobb said that his plan would entail the slashing of 2,100 more jobs, together with additional outsourcing.

This is not the will of the American People.We will fight side by side against the communist Marxist socialist of this country that believe that they are in charge.

for the Arabs nor the Jews.. They can ONLY have what was in the Partition Plan. The Israelis aquired Jerusalem after being attacked in the Six Day War.. And if you say it's" illegal" .. where were the protests of Jordans illegal occupation.. it's only "illegal" when it's the jew.. SHAME ON THE WORLD! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Partition_Plan_for_Palestine The "fair" thing to do is to make it a UN controlled city run by people who have no biases against the Jew nor the Arab and will give both sets of people the right to worship and live in peace. However, being that most of the UN is Arab-THIS is the dificulty with what is going on.. The Arabs had NO RIGHT to JERUSALEM!

you picked the side that does not believe in freedom of speech. freedom of speech is the most fundamental right of any human being. without freedom of speech no person can advocate for his other rights. furthermore, as all others who have a minimal grasp of democracy and republicanism, you think that the country and its leader are one and the same. they are not. the president is not an absolute monarch. criticism of the president is not the same as criticism of the people.

As Iranian citizen i have to say I hate Hamas and Israel`s right wing party and all the religious radicals in the world such as evangelic Christians (i.e. Sarah Palin ) and Muslim radical and whomever thinks they have privilege before god because of some kind of label . If there is judgment day it will not be based upon how many verses of Quran or Bible or Talmud you recite every day , it will based upon the love and compassion you have in your heart for other innocent people all around the world . The majority of Iranian people have been under enough pressure in past thirty years to come this state of mind . Now it`s time for US and the world to change their policy towards Israel and cut support of Israel , So the Israeli extremist (Which I believe are the majority of Israelis) and the rich , powerful PEOPLE in AIPAC would realize what a monster they have turned in to .

.....are you one of them...??? :) P.S. Until recently I only knew a (non-Jewish) national park with that name....

"I live in America." Nice. You should be more aware of what's going on here. "Popularity polls mean jack to me," Why? Because this one doesn't suit your predilections? "Obama is actually pretty popular, " He has the worst first-year rating since polls have been taken. "Netanyahu however is an unknown." But, we were talking about Israel. Israel is very popular. Obama is very unpopular. " Know your place." Okay. Know your place. Check out the polls to see where the respective places are.

"As America becomes more secular..." America is much more religious than Israel (on the strait question "do you beleive in god", 30% of Israelis answer "No", do you want to know what the number is in US?).

I am an American too and Netanyahu have been leading his country when Obama was in diaper. History shows that Netanyahu always looks at U.S.A. in the eyes and stands firm of what he believes is right for his country. Whether he is wrong or right in his believes, he is a fighter. I say watch out Obama.

Clara, this is how it works in every religion, you send out or brainwash people to 'spread' THE word and noone elses. This then gives that said religion to gain sway over other countries. Unfortunately the US governments position is a symptom of Mikes presence (and let's be honest here....CASH!) in NY. This however is the game of all religions, and has been going on for a millenia

Israel adds an obstacle and everyone focuses on that instead of the end goal. This is a new tactic by them which has never (sarcasm) been used before to drag it out. I just hope the US sees past it and pushes for deliverable this time around.

I wonder how much will it take Bibi and his followers to realize that there are clear international demands to progress in the peace process. Stop settlements, stop building in E. Jerusalem, Free the westbank from checkpoints, etc. His recent stances on announcing to build in E. Jerusalem, and even plans to build in the westbank represent a clear to challenge to the international diplomacy and freezes the peace process instead of the settlements. The US, EU, Russia, and the quartet have made it clear that peace negotiations should be based on E. Jerusalem as a Palestinian capital, and discuss all core issues including borders and refugees. This is what Bibi and all like-minded israelis should understand in order to have peace. The world should be decisive about these issues as there are millions of Pals longing to freedom and security. If Bibi doesn't want to respond to these demands, the world should support the Pals to announce their state with E. Jerusalem as their capital

Those thinking Obama is just going to fade, who will replace him? The head of John Birch? One of the 25 heads of the tea-baggers? Which one? Mr Orange-face? McCain is being denounced by many tea-baggers. Romney can't decide what he's for or against without taking a poll of tea-baggers. Palin is now a tea-bag joke, too? Who's your candidate? Rush Limbaugh? Glenn Beck? The joker from Minnesota? What are tea-baggers for, except hate? What are the Republicans for, except Party-First? And abolishing health care for anybody and everybody and borrowing and spending for their cronies? And torture and Private party armies (Xe-Blackwater)?

I honestly (don't you like honesty?) believe there is a good chance Obama will lead America to disaster (mostly for his handling of economy, and, to a far lesser extent - foreign policy). Only someone as bad s Bush could make Obama electable, and there is no chance he will be re-elected. I only hope he wont have time to make enough damage until he is thrown out of the office.

This mayb be the time most of us critics of Israel have been waiting for, the point where the US finally 'gets it'. Israel has never seriously negotiated with the Pals because Israel has all the power and the Pals have none. Therefore what it needs for a real just peace is for the US and the world to insist on a fair deal for the Pals. Bibi's government of extremists and misfits, the real face of today's Zionism, may have just made America understand that.

I live in America. Popularity polls mean jack to me, especially first-year polls. George Dubya has the highest on recent record. Obama is actually pretty popular, Netanyahu however is an unknown. Know your place.

For 40 years, we , the gullible americans vowed to protect Israel rain orshine, but the ISrael noted a gaping hole in the vision and wisdom of the psyche. Further the 250000 dual national in Israel with their lobbyists network in the US , got grasp of the system that allowed Israel to expand, dispossess and cleanse Palestine of it's inhabitants, until we were spoken back to though Ousama Binladen. It was a wake up call that took us some us some time to understand. The pendulum of support ISrael blindly has to correct itself starting now or we would loose all good will built with thge Arabs.

As America becomes more secular, Israeli policy driven by religious dogma is going to be viewed less favorably. I am frankly exhausted by the middle east and it's religious factional fighting.

Lead America to disaster? try not to be so hyperbolic, that propaganda is best reserved for those who are ignorant. Not for those who should know better.

....consider cutting of (at least part of its) aid to Israel, the Deputy U.S. secretary of state refused to give a clear answer, and instead reiterated, that first the U.S. admini- stration would now wait for the official Israeli response, and then weigh its options accordingly. Looks like in the case of Iran, all the options seem to be on the table (at least in theory)....

Why should it matter if Nasser is or isn't a jew? It's not just jews who are affected by Israels policies. I think anyone who cares about these issues should have the same right to comment. Especially any Palestinian (like myself) or any tax paying American, who pays each year to support Israel with billions in Military and other aid (6 billion total to be exact). And for some of you have the gall to speak so unintelligently about Clinton or Obama having no right to criticize or demand of Israel. the US has every right to do so, and MUST begin doing so, if they ever want to see any progress in the region. Apartheid fell before and will fall again. The truth will always come out, although most of you are so brainwashed u have no concept about what truth is.

Alex you are right, further taking in acount that the equipment is greatly over prices, I really believe it is time to politely thank US and decline further 'Assistance'. Israel will be better of free from constraints such 'Assistance' implies.

What's hard to understand about what happened here? US VP shows up for some of the more promising talks in recent years. No sooner does he land than the Israeli government thumbs their nose at Biden and the US by announcing, at the moment of his arrival, new settlement construction--knowing full well that this will shut things down. Friends don't poke friends in the eye.

"America didn`t elect Obama, and still think of him more honest than either party without cause. You`re facing a roadblock you could do without. As a friend, I suggest you prioritize." There's what YOU say about the American people's positions, and there's what the American people say for themselves. Obama is the most unpopular president after the first year of his administration since polls have been taken (beginning in FDR's administration). I suggest you get your facts straight. This president is not a very popular guy. Maybe HE should prioritize and start giving those who elected him -- yes, he WAS elected by them -- what they want instead of cramming his ideas down their throats.

"Americans think Obama is more honest than either party" I agree, he is "more honest than either party", but honesty is not enough. He is honestly implementing what he thinks is best for America, and I think it will lead America to disaster.

It looks like you have picked a side in this battle. Perhaps you should pack your bags and move to that side of the ocean. We expect our citizens to be on our side. You know, sort of a loyalty oath.

US aid to Israel is $2.4 Billion (out of $42 Billion total US foreign aid). Most of this aid Israel is required to spend on US made weapons. Just to put things in perspective, Israel's GDP is $200 Billion.

America didn't elect Obama, and still think of him more honest than either party without cause. You're facing a roadblock you could do without. As a friend, I suggest you prioritize.

Reading the posts, it is obvious that many posters don't think the US has a right to an independent foreign policy. Apparently the US foreign policy on this conflict, to them, has been wrong for 42 years. To them the US elected a black man who has no right to exercise the powers or duties of President of the US. When were the powers of the President transferred to the Israeli PMO? When is Avigdor Lieberman going to fire Clinton? Is Danny Ayalon the new Secretary of State of the USA? When was the US Constitution amended to strip Obama of his powers and duties of office. Obama's policies are moderate and his advisers are moderates, not liberals. The US position on Jerusalem is unchanged from 1967. UNCHANGED

Lots of Jews named Nasser. Are you one of them?

...the stubborn non-freeze, (nothing to do with Jerusalem), have continued in a furious crescendo, culminating with Shas' fantastically stupid abomination. An entire world, without exception, has seen this appalling "movie" ... I hope that Netanyahu will answer positively to the US! And bring the other half of Israel, Kadima, in the government! (even if it is less than half of Israel...).

" America will choose Israel over it`s own President, you`re seriously mistaken. " Israel is more popular than the President in current American polls. If you want to see him lose even more popularity, watch what happens if his health care initiative passes, particularly if it's done in an under-handed way.

America will choose Israel over it's own President, you're seriously mistaken. I could name the numerous ways Obama has been VERY supportive of Israel but instead I'll just encourage your right-wing to kindly stfu.

Why does the US government not simply tell Israel on the subject of 2 state solution "Hi guys, either you are with us, or against us".

I have always supported Israel. RETRACT ...or we support the Palestinians. Can do without the US, can you ? ... Time to bring the good old days back .....where you had NO friends in the world.

The diplomatic crisis is the US. You can fight your own battles. For how many years has Palestinian Liberation Organization continue to attack Israel, just because you won't give up your land. As long as Obama is in office, Israel will continue to have an up hill battle with the US in my opinion. I suggest you find other ally's for your support. The US is broke, politically and financially.

More concessions will only bring on demands for more concessions. This is the Palestinian strategy. Get all they can without giving anything in return. They hope to create their new state without signing a peace treaty with Israel. Time for Netanyahu to say that Israel has given all of the free concessions and now is the time to finally close the deal or move on.

Palestinian riots in Jerusalem. She can't possibly believe that the Palestinians ever earn anything.Only under Israel will Jerusalem be open to all peoples and religions.

are you sure you are israeli? are you sure you live in tel aviv? or do you actually live in ramallah?

Israel does not exist to amuse Saudis.

A new word, no doubt. Rioting in cascades. Plotting and remorse all in cascades. Resetting the button with Washington and Israel, again in cascades. Political analysts no doubt are having a field day. Ambassador Oren is quite correct, Israel is at its lowest ebb with Washington since the US demanded Israels redeployment from Sinai in 1975. Israel must now stay the course. For Tehran is laughing...in cascades. Meanwhile the centrifuges spin in cascades faster every day. So do the spin doctors tell us in cascades. Good day from snowy Swiss Alps.

My fellow Jewish brothers, don't be bullied. The U.S. government doesn't have the right to give demands to Israel.

Why everybody is jumping on Benjamin Netanyahu? He is a genius negotiator. He starts the peace negotiation by placing the hot issue Jerusalem on the table first. I said it before and I say it again that only Netanyahu can bring a lasting peace. He does not full around.

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.

Israel is so arrogant in its refusal to comply with international law that it will surely end up being bombed. I have a lot of friends there and will be sorry to see it, but apparently Israel thinks it can get away with anything so long as the U.S. gives it a pass Now even the U.S. is getting tired of it, realizing it's quickly losing all its friends, as Israel already has. Pretty soon they will only have each other.

The Obama/Clinton reaction seems knee-jerk and arbitrary. If Israel concedes to these demands, there doesn't seem to be a plan to follow. Abbas is weak, there are two Palestines but we're only talking to one of their governments (the non-elected one). All this, while the Palestinians are calling for riots because the Jews have rebuilt a synagogue that the Jordanians destroyed in 1948. I think that if Obama/Clinton have really prepared for this moment, America's rebuke of Israel could serve as the Palestinian leadership much needed claim of victory legitimizing Abbas and enabling him to negotiate and compromise; it's a diplomatic parallel to Sadat's claim that the 1973 war was an Arab victory that gave him the political cover to dialog with Israel. However, after seeing how Secretary Clinton didn't even proofread the Russian writing on the "Reset" button (which actually said "Overcharge") that she presented to her Russian counterpart, I don't think she's ready for the big league.

because we give the Israeli's $50 billion a year. If he says no, oh well good luck surviving on your own. Not to mention that there are plenty other ways to pressure his government. Bibi's only way out right now is WAR (with his northern weak neighbor of course), but he even can't go to war because he doesn't have the green light from Obama. Therefore, do what we tell you to do or else...

Not nearly enough, considering the blatant chutzpah of Netanyahooo and his gang, but it's a promising sign. Let's cut off the funding and demand Israel get with the program and start acting like the democracy it claims to be.

and uncompromising .Time for Bibi to prove his worth ! Stand up to Bullies and thugs all of which we could do without

Jews have a long history of suffering oppression and injustice. IMO, they should know better than anyone else what its like to be Palestinian. Shame on those who commit war crimes and crimes against humanity on both sides in this conflict.

Release Schalit? Stop incitement? Surely, the USA expects some "goodwill" gestures from the PA too? Or is Hilary the new Saeb Erekat? (I hope she does not cause him to lose his job).

As a Zionist, a rabbi and a J Street supporter, I am -- along with millions of American Jews -- very pleased with the Obama Administration's response to the ill-conceived plan to build more Jewish housing in East Jerusalem. If Israel wants to survive, it needs to decide -- one state, or two. If one state, then it'll be a majority Arab state. That's the reality. Without a viable Palestine next to Israel, there won't be a Jewish & democratic Israel within a few years. Sometimes true friends are the ones who tell you the truth.

Please G-d that we find a leader who understands and has the courage to say this TRUTH

Maybe if she was on speaking terms with her husband when he was President and ask him WHY Yasser Arafat refused to sign the peace agrement that he and Dennis Ross got Jerusalem to accept!!! The Palestinian leadership are afraid of peace and only are looking forward to the eventual destruction of Israel. a little at a time. Now being encouraged by left ringers surrounding Obama without the brains or knowledge of history

Its obvious the US is not interested in any peace process. If my governmnet was then we would certainly start to see a drop in military support to Israel. What am I getting for my tax dollars? Hey Israel stop building on occupied territory, the american people will soon wake up and support for you will diminsh. Enjoy my tax dollars for now.

Am I daft or hasn't Israel already made it clear that it intends to keep all of Jerusalem and that ownership of the city is not open for negotiation. For this reason new building projects in Jerusalem have been ongoing. The refusal to cancel or prohibit them is in keeping with the clear declaration that Israel considers Jerusalem it's God-given right to own. The rest of the world, including the USA, obviously believe that the option of divying up Jerusalem will somehow be restored during peace talks. What chance is there of that happening?

... that is given by Bibi: "The government of Israel has proved its commitment to peace in the last year in words and in deeds." ... when all words and especially deeds have been negative or have double-meanings...

They created this mess by the way they reacted and now, to make matters worse, they are making demands on Israel . What if the Israelis think that meeting those demands is not in their best interest? Will Obama refuse to proceed with talks like Abbas? That would be great as it will just show how INCOMPETENT this present administration is. He just makes a mess of everything. Obama's presidency will amount to a big fat zero - at home, in the ME and the wider international community. A leftist, arrogant, egotistical president with a one-track mind is doomed to failure.

I know many here will not like my coment and that's ok.. Reading this article infuriated me because it accuses palestinians of not taking any steps towards the peace process. Well, let's see, when you're poverty stricken and treated like a second class citizen in your own land, it's hard to focus on other things than how you're going to feed yourself and get through the day. Secondly, I laugh when i read statements such as "..ties between Israel and the United States are unbreakable and that Washington remained committed to Israel's security." Does Israel neet constant reassurance that it has friends? But that's beside the point. The point is the real victim here is Palestine. Let's see the U.S. promise them some support, perhaps the violence will die down? Palestinians deserve statehood as much as the Israelis and deserve also to be treated like humans. Let's see people stand up for justice.

Time to take Israel to task. The state of Israel should realize that its existence displaced the Palestinians and should be MUCH MORE AMENABLE to finding an agreeable resolution to this problem. The Palestinians have a "legitimate Gripe" here. It is no wonder the Arab world looks at us the way it does. We (USA) should tell Israel flat out that they will retreat to pre 1967 borders and allow the Palestinians to have their capital in Jerusalem. Israel should consider itself lucky that it exists at all. I hope and pray that the good people of Israel will turn the other cheek, return to the pre 1967 borders and be proud that they stepped up and resolved the most difficult situation in the world. Will it happen? If it does not they may well be on the receiving end of the first terrorist used WMD. Please Israel STEP UP!!!!

"Israel must prove it's commitment to the Mideast peace process?!?!" Those "day of rage"-stone throwing Palestinians sure look like they are proving their commitment to it. Give me a break! I am behind Israel nearly 100% on this. After the Palestinian Authority calls for a "Day of Rage" the United States has the guts to say that Israel needs to show its committed to peace. How awful. I hate how everyone seems to just always try to criminalize everything that Israel does. I apologized for my country's attitude toward all this. Just know that is not how ALL Americans feel about this.

It is interesting that the description of the riots includes the injuries of the police and the number of Arabs arrested but no mention of any injuries to the Arabs. Is their suffering any less worthy of note, just because they are not Jewish? How can we ever achieve peace if we don't care what happens to the Arabs.

"Netanyahu is expected to deliver Israel's official response to Clinton during that conversation." Got that? Clinton is allowing Bibi to respond verbally, because that allows the State Dept to refuse to divulge the "details of the conversation". In short: nothing in writing. Clinton is allowing Bibi to fold like a deckchair and still have plausable deniability. Take the opportunity, Bibi, because it will only be offered once. No bombast. No prevarication. No evasion. Roll over and show your tummy, and Clinton promises not to make your humiliation public. But don't growl at her, fer' cryin' out loud. She's angry enough with you as it is, so this is no time to do something stupid. Fold, or you are history.

or he will be once his health care package is rejected. Israel just needs to remain strong and the Democrats will come knocking, looking for friends. Why pretend that Jerusalem is on the table if its not? Appeasing the Americans and stopping construction opens the door for Arab hope that one day Jerusalem will be the capital of Palestine when ironically the UN forbids to recognize it as the capital of Israel.

If Bibi's peace gestures of the past year are any measuring stick, I pity the Palestinians! To watch reality and hear the rhettoric must be an Orwellian nightmare!........... PEACE NEVER?

...as a goodwill gesture. The BO administration has no interest in peace -- just in badgering Israel.

What if Israel was honest with itself and America? What if Bibi stopped whining about really wanting peace despite a year of doing everything he could to prevent it, he changed tactics? What if he simply told the world that there would be no Palestinian state? That peace could only happen when Israel annexes a Judea and Samaria void of Palestinians? The USA would have no reply. At least we would be able to tell the world that there is nothing that anyone can do to get peace talks going. Our 'demand' is that Israel do what it keeps saying it wants to do. Talk about a two state solution, negotiate a peace acceptable to all. Our dilemma is that Israel says it wants something and then does everything it can to prevent it. If Israel will be honest with itself and the world, our 'demands' will evaporate because our 'demands' are based only upon Israel's lies.

"We are going above and beyond in an effort to resume negotiations without preconditions and the Palestinians are doing nothing," said a senior aide to the prime minister. "This needs to be clear to the international community." The good news is the international community has had it been made crystal clear. The bad news is the jew State has done nothing of significance to foster any type of peaceful accord. In fact quite the opposite.

It is time that Israel stop being bullied into making concessions that are not in her best interest. She left Gaza with hope of a peaceful existence with her Arab neighbors. All that she received was thousands of rockets. Promises made the Bush administration are not being honored by Obama. That promise was that if Israel pulled out of Gaza, the US would back Israel on not going back to the 67 border. So much for promises.

...how can you demand commitment from Israel when Hamas, Fatah and your own government keep walking away? What's Israel's obligation from here on? Israel will keep building, the al-Aqsa Mosque will come down and the Third Temple will go up in its place. If you can't handle that, then it's time to turn in your resignation. You're lucky you got the job after you started that rubbish about Obama not being a natural-born citizen (Google 'PUMA').

If we were doing so well with our country, I would say take heart to our requests. But hey, our leader is fighting for a healthcare plan that won't work, throwing money at bad companies to bail them out, exporting more jobs than he is helping to create, so maybe you might to do what you think is best on this one.

"The government of Israel has proved its commitment to peace in the last year in words and in deeds." Precisely the problem, proven beyond a shadow of doubt! Nobody believes your words, and your deeds are why.