The U.S. will no longer turn a blind eye to Israeli settlements

"Dr", please review Section 7 of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995: Sec. 7. Presidential Waiver. (a) Waiver Authority: (1) Beginning on October 1, 1998, the president may suspend the limitations set forth in section 3(b) for a period of six months if he determines and reports to Congress in advance that such suspension is necessary to protect the national security interests of the United States

what, olmert has offeed what??/did u see the full offere. i guss not otherwise u will never dare to mention it. OFFFFFFFER fuuny ok this is his offere: Plaestinag should live under our full control , we can inter Palestinian city whever we want, we control the border, the see and the sky, no wepons, no refugees, no no no and u call it offere .

You are referring to The Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995. It was never implemented. Legislative branch of US govt. has no constitutional authority over foreign policy. The US embassy is in Tel Aviv, as are all foreign embassies in Israel. Tel Aviv is the internationally recognized capital of Israel. Not Jerusalem. Israel is lacking any legal basis for sovereignty in Jerusalem. UN resolution 181, under which Israel declared statehood, declared Jerusalem to be an international city, "corpus separatum," managed by the UN. In 1980, the Knesset passed the "Basic Law" which declared Jerusalem, "complete and unified," the capital of Israel. The Basic Law is a violation of UNSC resolutions 476 & 478, and thus a violation of Article 49 of the 4th Geneva Convention: a war crime. UNSC 478 declared the Knesset Basic Law "null and void," and 476 declared any demographic changes in Jerusalem a violation of the Geneva Convention. Breaches of articles of the 4th Convention are considered war crimes.

Wonderful - the sooner Israel and other countries too move their governments behaviour and philosophy away from the delusionary "God" business - the better. Everyone seems to have some sort of old book or document saying God promised me this, that and the other. The time is long overdue to give this God stuff and nonsense a break. People who use God as an argument demonstrate their lack of political skill, credibility and logical analysis.

I WAS NOT AWARE YOU WERE A JEW.FUNNY BUSINESS. I JUST NOTICED YUR REPLY TO ANNON,WHERE YOU SAID IT. VERIFICATION IS NEEDED ON THIS.

Here we go again. The U.S. this the Americans there. LOL. What happen to "this lame administration" or that " obamanation" is blinded and struggling to see with their new prescription glasses. It is difficult to see in the dark, and when it comes to Israeli politics, night vision goggles are helpless with these clowns in the foreing governments. Drive on Israel. It is your destiny and you must expand at once. I have no doubt that your one and only G-D will make these alien nations look silly for meddling in your affairs.

U.N. resolution 242 has been ignored by israel for decades, even though it has repeatedly been told to return to pre-1967 boundaries. when will the world start treating israel as the imperialist and occupier of lands which are not theirs. this is the whole problem threatening world peace since 1948. cut off all canadian and u.s. aid to israel, and perhaps it wouldn't act so arrogant. enough is enough.

"what the f does israel being a sovereing nation have to do with its right to kill children and women and occupy territory and flout all international law." and What does buidling 1600 homes in Jerusalem have to do with killing of children and woman ? and Tell me what gives the right for Palestinians to kill men woman and children and flout Geneva Convention, UN 1947 resolution . & Human rights in 1948 1956 1967 1973 wars that they started on JEWS. Before u demand Israel to abide by international racist Laws you must demand Palestinians to stop being racist against Jews and abide by UN Resolution of 1947 and Geneva Laws seems to me you are the Real Racist

The U.S. will no longer turn a blind eye to Israeli settlements and it is about time Israel should turn a blind eye to USA occupation of Native American land Afghan & Iraq illegal occupation. Israel should stop helping USA in their war on terror that they created themselvs ie stop providing intelligence to USA stop building drones for usa etc

IT is hard for me to believe you pray to Christ and live in Pal. According to the church there are very few if any still allowed and pray.Churches have been distroyed. Correct me if I am wrong. Always looking for new facts

I know the complete frustration of asking why??God scattered us over the face of the earth making sure the religion did not die. Because of Hitlers killing field and the inaction of the world they felt guilty. Israel became a state. A jew now has a place they can call their own.

As a Christian Palestinian who reads the Bible regularly, I never noticed that God attained the title of real estate agent. He loves us all, whether we are Christian, Muslim, or Jewish. Not to worry, those who pursue racism and bigotry fall hard in front of the Lord.

To Arnold in Montreal: Where did this headline appear or did you compose it as your comment about Israeli settlements?

To amend Abba Eban, the Netanyahu government never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity to make their international image even uglier. Apart from angering and embarrassing their best friends, the U.S. with their decisionn to build overf 1500 new homes in east Jerusalem, Mr.Netanyahu's statement hat he was unaware of the decision makes him look either incompetent or disingenous. President Obama should make consequences flow from this Israeli blunder: either a reduction in the $billion dollar a year military aid to Israel or a total cut. Not an easy choice for a Democratic president with a large Jewish following. I alo forsee te EEC Parliament moving to recognize a Palestinian State.

Lets stop the B.S. The announcements was purposely timed with Biden's visit. No one cares about the world condemning Israel, it is nothing but barking. No bites to follow. I just hope that Biden takes a shower and removes the brown off his nose before coming back home.

It seems that the Europeans liquidated their Jews, or exported them to the US where they recreated the same scenarion that led to the Reich - the stranglehold over society through the use of money - hence, the story goes of the ship of Jews that no land would take during ww2 - the US did, and 60 years later who controls you now? There is a reason why they were always turned away.

Israel's behavior is inflamatory and will hasten the demise of Israel.No settlements!Two state solution a must

Under Reagan, Oliver North in the facilitated the funding of the Contras in Nicaragua, in explicit contravention of a United States Congressional ban.Oliver got wrist slaps, Reagan just grinned. GW Bush sanctioned military strikes against Iraq 6 months before both the October 2002 congressional authorization and the November United Nations resolution requiring that Saddam open the country up to inspectors. My suggestion to you is to read House Committee on the Judiciary Majority Staff Report to Chairman John Conyers, Jr, 2009. Reining in the Imperial Presidency: Lessons and Recommendations Relating to the Presidency of George W. Bush: Included are such gems as: The Leak of Valerie Plame Wilson's Covert CIA Identity. Improper Use of State Secrets and Other Authorities. Manipulation and Misuse of Intelligence. Politicization of the Department of Justice. Assault on Individual Liberty: Detention, Enhanced Interrogation, Ghosting and Black Sites, Extraordinary Rendition, Warrantless Domestic Surveillance, and National Security and Exigent Letters.

I was hoping this wouldn't happen, but it did! We've all seen it before a top diplomat and here a VP from the U.S. shows up and the same day announcements are made about construction somewhere. This took the cake though, one national news guy here was so upset he misstated "1600 homes" and said "1600 new settlements". Then the new construction in East J. for the cherry on top. Israel there is a PR war going on out here, and your losing. Now if this turns out that you abandon these projects for a deal it may a good move(to trade nothing for something) but at a high negative PR price.

"Unless it is done by the Chinese,and the Spanish,and the French,and the brits,and the Turks,and above all the Americans. Tell it to the Tibetans,and the Basques,and Corsican,and Kurds,and Iraqis,and Afghans...." ...Israel. Fine company... Actually. You're wrong. Who is colonizing the Afghans? Who is colonizing Iraq? The Spanish, have a secession issue, not colonization. The Brits haven't colonized anyone for years. Nor the Americans. Never the less I agree with you. When they all stop colonizing, Israel will too... RIGHT?.....good on yer...

He was in the fiery furnace just like with Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego. He was with everyone who never stopped believing. He was with every survivor who never stopped clinging to Him. He never left any of us---society just continues to ignore Him, and when bad things happen we question where He is. He did not promise an easy life at all times. What He did promise was an eternity with Him if we believe. The greatest miracle is that Israel is here, that the Jewish people are still on Earth despite centuries of evil attempting to do away with them. If you cannot see Him in His preservation of the Jewish people, then you are sadly blind.

Hateful includes mocking those who suffer, yes even if they are Arabs, even your enemies. What you speak of as g-d and Israel and 'your bible' is unrecogniseable to me and I am an orthodox Jew. Petra, in Israel's greatest hour of need when Israel's enemies drowned in the waters as they fled Egypt hashem rebuked his angels for singing praises to g-d as the Egyptians drowned. "How can you sing when my creations are drowning in the sea?" Petra, you should spend less time being hateful and mocking your enemies as they suffer, even if some of their suffering is self inflicted. For all your wordly wealth which you boast of on Haaretz today,you strike me as stricken with poverty of the soul. "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn." Hillel

Does your god hate children?did he aproves the crimes of your church?As an atheist i believe what your people,and the Muslims,and the orthodox Jews do in the name of god is as bad.God has nothing to do with the conflict in the ME,or any other place. I've read enough posts from you to know that you'r a bigot and a racist.You will support anyone and anything that is anti Israeli,yet you judge others.We are not the Prods,and the Arabs are not the Mickeys!

Israel was once a master in PR, manipulating mass media, .... . Damn, what happened to you? World media is only hinting and talking about Israel's arrogance. More than half of world media even acknowledge Israel as a threat to world peace. I'm afraid they're right. Iran is less to fear than Israel. Keep up the good work!

The "Advice and Consent" clause is a cornerstone of US Constitutional law. Why LBJ needed a "Gulf of Tonkin" resolution. And why Obama (and Bush and Clinton before him) has been certifying to Congress every 6 months that implementing the 1994 law needed to be delayed 6 more months to "avoid disrupting sensitive peace negotiations". What will he do next time if Abbas is still refusing to negotiate, and over a Jerusalem issue that Congress has already solved for Obama, with the 1994 Jerusalem Recognition Act? Lie to Congress? Like he has been doing to the American people for the past year, arrogantly thinking we were too dumb to figure it out? I sure hope so, then impeachment proceedings can begin, so we don't have to wait until 2012 to throw this bum out.

"In 2010 colonialism and occupation can no longer be tolerated".Unless it is done by the Chinese,and the Spanish,and the French,and the brits,and the Turks,and above all the Americans. Tell it to the Tibetans,and the Basques,and Corsican,and Kurds,and Iraqis,and Afghans....

approves of the crimes you try to justify. By the way---what colour is your god---is it a he or a she or an it. How old is he/she/it---is there an Email address. As Isaid Petra---you belie the belief that man is made in God,s own image. You are a racist bigot and doomed to a bad end. No loss.

during the Holocaust? He didn't answer my relatives prayers. Was he goofing off? I've asked many times, no one has ever answered Where was G-d in say, 10,000 BC? Or 45,000 years ago (Judaism, Christianity, Islam and G-d are newbies) You & me & G-d & every Jewish person on the planet were sold out when Israel became a sovereign state with boundaries. http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/decad169.asp

This conflict has been disturbing world peace for too long. In 2010, colonialism and occupation can no longer be tolerated, The Israeli government must put an end to the occupation of East Jerusalen and the West bank. It is the only way for Israel to remain part of the Western world and to achieve much-needed peace.

Why is it that when things go in one group's favor it's the "Will of God" and when it doesn't it's an "Act of Satan"? Did you ever pause to think that maybe the Diaspora was the "Will of God" and the current political entity called the State of Israel is an "Act of Satan"? But since you seem to consider yourself as the self-appointed spokesperson for God Almighty, I can see how you might view things differntly. Maybe you need to go back to the Torah again: Proverbs 16:18-19

Hi, Irwin, As a Native American, I'd like to come and take back the land your house is on. Not in favor? Tough. You see, it was mine first. Sound familiar?

G-d is the reason Israel exists, flourishes, survives beyond all odds. I couldn't leave the G-d of Israel out of it if I tried. ( and who'd want to except those who are murderers in their heart and want all Jews dead?..) What G-d do you follow? The latter I presume. There is one G-d and He chose Israel. That's the secret of Israel's success. Do as you like, and so shall I. This is the promise of the Promised Land, learn to live w/ it.

All he can do is NADA!We had 15 months of NADA! In the house,or the senate he got NADA.The closure of gitmo,healthcare,NK,Iran,NADA. To busy playing golf and basketball.Maybe he will succeed with Tiger Wood,or join the Halem globetrotters.The man is all talk,KALAM FADI.

CJK: "israel never declared 'borders.' " So what **is** "the state of Israel"? It is a cancer that can grow uncontrollably until it kills its host, or is it an ameoba that can change its shape at will? Ben Gurion declared that state the only way that he LEGALLY could: 1) He pointed to the Mandate for Palestine for his legal justification for WHY THE JEWS WERE ENTITLED TO BE THERE and 2) He pointed to Resolution 181 for his legal justification for WHY THOSE JEWS ARE ENTITLED TO DECLARE A STATE. Once he did that he "declared" the borders of that state i.e. LEGALLY they must be the lines that were defined in Res 181, because *any* *other* *border* encompasses territory to which the state of Israel has *no* *legal* *claim*. You are so casual with this argument, because at its core it is the same one that Ahmedanijad uses i.e. "Israel" is nothing more than "the zionist entity that occupies Qods".

The land that was founded by illegal settlement(pioneers).The people that anihilate the natives and went to war with Mexico for territorial gains.The land that theirs capitol is illegal settlemnt will not turn a blind eye for Israeli settlement.WEIRD!!

Please, do not involve God in something, which has nothing to do with this matter. To use God's will and message for the land robbery, for the selfish poltical purposes and for the onesided benefits -it is insult of God and the message of the Bible. Disgusting!

LET'S HOPE THAT YOUR PROPHECY WILL HAPPEN SHOULD OBAMA EVER VISIT ISRAEL. SO FAR, HE HASN'T AS HE SEEMS TO PREFER VISITING MUSLIM NATIONS TO ISRAEL. OBAMA BETTER HURRY, HE WONT BE AROUND AFTER 2012.

After years of stalling, dictating from the Arabs, it's nice to know Israel just wiped them off by the stroke of the pen. Much more humane than another 'war'. And the Jewish homes will be the fulfillment of our sages and prophets who had a direct connection w/ the only power on earth, the G-d of Israel.

The talk about 1600 houses as it is the biggest crime.They turn blind eye to Chinese settlement in Tibet.They turn blind eye to strerilization of the tibetan,for child disappearance.6 millions tibetan 20 years ago,are now 5 million. They turn blind eye to the worst crime against humanity in China,but keep on talking about Gaza,or east Jerusalem.Why?GREED!huge Chinese market give huge profits,so who care about a million Tibetans.You all righteous people should be a shame of yourselves.It is not the only example of turning blind eye,there is Darfur,Iran,NK.....YOUR MORAL COMPASS IS IN NEED OF CALIBRATION.

it is called diplomacy. shalom.

Jerusalem. Which coincidentally is the prophecy of our forefathers. Someday, the Pals will realize that they stand no chance of ever winning against G-ds chosen. And, the world unites w/ Israel against the mercenaries that can never win and why Israel can never lose.

Obama is learning that his anti Israel bias is rewarded by embarrassment and failures. One thing Jeremiah Wright didn't teach him.. And he should know both only too well.

Since under our separation of powers doctrine that Foreign policy is a function of he executive department, the bill you cite is beyond Congress' powers and therefore meaningless.

"Your logic.." It's the actual LEGAL situation. "Looks like you love the Palestinians just as much as other Arabs" Your evidence for this statement is what exactly? Israel is my homeland state. Wanting my homeland state to adhere to the law, under which it has every right to exist & protect itself from any aggression, is surely a pre-requisite to caring about it's spiritual wellbeing. You'd want me to do otherwise? For what reason?

The Obama Administration will no ... Actually it is pleasure to learn that real estate in Jerusalem is in better shape than one in Spain, Florida, etc...

All American power centers (bankers, bosses, weapon producers, gun lobby, wasps) are against Obama and his days in power are numbered. He will very probably go in the next election and the republicans will rebuild the old structure again and will let Israelis build as many settlements as they want. Even now Israelis are building these settlements.

"Israel is a sovereign nation". Yes it is. So it can do as it likes. OK maybe but other sovereign nations do not have to approve or support Israel's behaviour. Other sovereign nations may, if they so choose, apply sanctions to Israel. I would point out that Iran is also a sovereign nation with the same right to behave as it chooses and Israel really, really wants harsher sanctions applied to it as a minimum - or preferably that it be bombed into oblivion.

Your logic is the reason that the Palestinians have never received a state. Your logic is the reason they are called Palestinians and not Arabs (unlike Kuwaiti or Jordanian "Palestinians"). Your logic will keep the Palestinians in bondage - just what their Arab "brethren" want. Your logic is why Arafat refused Barak and Clinton's offer of 99% of the WB. Looks like you love the Palestinians just as much as other Arabs.

obama thought he could do as he pleased. he simply cannot. had he been more modest, he might have been able to achieve more. netanyahu had made it clear that the freeze would not apply to jerusalem. netanyahu never said that he would stop building in jerusalem. obama, on the other hand, had promissed that there would not be a nuclear iran.

Jerusalem's plans to engage in "urban renewal" aka "slum clearance" are stupid and deserve the NIMBY response they're getting. Nobody likes being kicked out of their homes, and nobody likes seeing neighborhoods bulldozed willy nilly. There's a reason why Jane Jacobs stood up against this practice, and that's why people in Israel ought to as well.

The best thing the Israelis could do for world peace, if that is what Ashkenazi is concerned about, is for Israel to return to the 1967 borders. This will do more thorough good than bombing Iran ever would, and without withdrawing to 1967 borders, bombs will not be effective.

...not any more with the blind eye -not even those who have believed in real efforts of Israel to have a peace. There are more and more despice. Why to support a liar? Why Israel want to built those settlements? For people who have never lived in Israel and demolish the houses of those who have lived there always?And why in the areas which are illegal by the international law. There are plenty of space inside Israel which are legal.

When Israel takes a firm position that Jerusalem in its entirety will remain the united capital of Israel, and Jews will be free to build in any part of it, the international pressure will fade. Concessions only lead to pressure for more concessions. There's no need to worry about damaging the "peace process", which has never been anything but a hypocritical fraud, with no intention on the part of the Arabs to ever make peace with Israel.

The U.S. should be more worried about Iran and stop telling Israel what to do or not do.

and it was yesterday, and the day before, and if it doesn't change its tune, it will be tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that.

and he knew exactly what he was doing! and whether bibi knew about it before hand doesn't matter. it's HIS coalition which is behind ALL the shit going on in israel over the past year that's completely destroying any semblance of credibility it had before. bibi baby, the hole that's being dug around you is getting deeper by the day.

it is time Israel stops worrying about what the USA or Europe thinks, and works on ensuring the health, safety and welfare of its own citizens. initially there may be a lot of noise, but it will go away. frequently when someone is so busy worrying that the worst will happen instead of acting in his or her own best interest, then the worst does happen. when a country works on taking care of their own in the end the citizens of that country are at least satisfied with the government and the services it provide - which is currently not the case.

Occupation must end. Israel must withdraw to it's actual Sovereign boundaries. Independence by it's very nature is unilateral, without control of influence by any other party. It is why the British Mandate over Palestine had to end. It is why the East Timorese had to wait until Indonesia ended occupation. It is why the Palestinians have NEVER had the opportunity to have a state in it's entire history. Declaring now would mean NOT being Sovereign. It would potentially give reason for Israel remaining the occupier AND give them the key to keeping territories rightfully belonging to the Palestinians. http://wp.me/pDB7k-jA

The snub to Biden and the US was intentional and well-timed. Obama and crew are universally mocked. Support in the USA for Obama fell yesterday to 22% strong approval, nearly the lowest in history for any US president. As the US economy implodes and Obama's support plummets, and the entire Arab world is begging Israel to attack Iran, for fear of a monster-like Persian thrust into the MIddle East, Israel is in an ideal position to exert its influence and stand up for its defense. Despite the threats all around, Israel's position and strength are greater than any time in its history.

Lieberman is just doing what is Lieberman. Taking everything. Blaming everyone. Playing the victim. Laughing at the millions he's making. Lieberman is even taking from Israelis - and haaretz refuses to tell you about it. They know Lieberman is master.

Rice was meeting with livni and asked about the homes for the same settlement as the one that happened during biden's visit. It was the same plan that was started when olmert was mayor. It was 1,300 homes then now 1,600. Kadima's hypocrisy is unreal.

You can do absolutely anything -- and we'll keep paying the tab. Go ahead: order the lobster. I would say try us, but I've a horrible feeling I'd turn out to be righter than I want to be.

Obama may be obsessed with the palestinian cause but that doesn't mean the next president will be. If Obama is only going to be a one time wonder like Jimmy carter then his window is very small. Already his hold over Israel is less than it was in his first year because we are now approaching midterms & the Democrats are expected to loose alot of seats. He has another 2-3 months at best before he has to start getting more Israel friendlly. After the midterms if the Democrats do loose heavily then Obamas ability to steam roller through his ideas will be reduced. Then he has until mid 2011 before he becomes a lame duck with this conflict because he will be in a presidential election year and he needs the jewish vote and that means being much more pro Israel than he is right now. If we are lucky & Obama looses and we get a more pro Israel Republican president then for the palestiinians the good times when the US was on their side will be over and they will be more pro Israel again

What a joker this IDF chief Ashkenazi is. There's only one threat to world peace and that's most obviously one country called Israel. Europe should take the lead in the issue of how to deal with Israeli warmongers. IMHO Europe has to support a Palestinian State based upon the 1929 borders and simultaneously de-recognise Israel. People with Israeli passports should thereafter be barred from entering the EU. Enough is enough!

...because you're going out in mid-mandate elections! That's how the Americans perceive you now. Just a few months left, get some more BMWs while you can!

n binding !!! he also thinks that league of nations solutions are non binding . that unscr 242/338 is a mirage ?

With friends like Israel who needs enemies.

Laws without compelling sanctions are hardly law to heed. In the worst case scenario Israel is playing at the border of legality. Indeed Israel is not colonizing territories that belong to any other country. East Jerusalem is a disputed territory similar to the West Bank. Israel is right in considering East Jerusalem part of its capital. Formal annexation will be done after negotitations, if ever. In the abscence of negotations, the 'status quo' prevails. If the International community dissaproves that behavior it can issue sanctions through the Security Council. I might be wrong in my reckoning but by the time being I see sanctions loomimg over the head of Teheran not over Israel. What about that? Israel should continue its normal policies,although it won't be bad idea for Israel to add some type of tactical intelligence to its political initiatives.

Until when Israel is going to maintain its military occupation of the Palestinian land of 1967-22% of historical Palestine? If you love the 22% be brave and annex it, with its 4000000 Palestinians. The Palestinians and the international community will not be silent, Israel must decide ASAP what it wants end the military occupation or declare a binational state.

Nothing will change this. We Jews will die before giving her up. (Maybe that's what they have always had in mind.) In any case, the PALS won't negotiate. Until that happens there can be no agreement. They don't want an agreement. They want Israel. Yasser Arafat's vision has not changed with Abbas. Until they come to the negotiating table their area will become smaller and smaller and smaller until they are in Jordan. It may take 100 more years but it's worth it.

... while Ya'alon declares that annihilating-Israel is the ethos of the Pals...and that is sufficient excuse... ... were these declarations prepared in honor of Bidden's visit?...

CJ from Aussieland reminds us about international laws and the laws of war yadda yadda yadda. So, CJ, don't these laws apply to the Palestinians? Of course they do, but the Palestinians just ignore them. Even worse, they convinced dupes like you that Palestinians have immunity and don't need to obey the laws. That is how they can launch 10000 rockets at Israeli civilians and nobody cares. That is how they illegally siezed Jewish land during war and demand Israel let them re-occupying it. Yes, the truth is hard to swallow for the Pro-Pal camp. Palestinians occupied parts of Hebron and Gush Etzion by force of war, and that is illegal. Not only that, but they carried out war crimes (two infamous massacres) in doing so and the perpetrators should stand trial for war crimes.

CJ from Aussieland reminds us about international laws and the laws of war yadda yadda yadda. So, CJ, don't these laws apply to the Palestinians? Of course they do, but the Palestinians just ignore them. Even worse, they convinced dupes like you that Palestinians have immunity and don't need to obey the laws. That is how they can launch 10000 rockets at Israeli civilians and nobody cares. That is how they illegally siezed Jewish land during war and demand Israel let them re-occupying it. Yes, the truth is hard to swallow for the Pro-Pal camp. Palestinians occupied parts of Hebron and Gush Etzion by force of war, and that is illegal. Not only that, but they carried out war crimes (two infamous massacres) in doing so and the perpetrators should stand trial for war crimes.

CJ from Aussieland reminds us about international laws and the laws of war yadda yadda yadda. So, CJ, don't these laws apply to the Palestinians? Of course they do, but the Palestinians just ignore them. Even worse, they convinced dupes like you that Palestinians have immunity and don't need to obey the laws. That is how they can launch 10000 rockets at Israeli civilians and nobody cares. That is how they illegally siezed Jewish land during war and demand Israel let them re-occupying it. Yes, the truth is hard to swallow for the Pro-Pal camp. Palestinians occupied parts of Hebron and Gush Etzion by force of war, and that is illegal. Not only that, but they carried out war crimes (two infamous massacres) in doing so and the perpetrators should stand trial for war crimes.

I WISH I THOUGHT OF IT FIRST

Israel is a dangerous enemy to the US? Man, calm down! While Israel's and US interests don't always coincide, they're hardly enemies. I think Israel needs to realise the game has changed. A Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as capital is a matter of time. Israel should rather make peace from a position of strength now, than be forced into a less favourable position. I also think a West Bank state is feasible, and a separate state for Gaza (eventually, when Hamas pursues peace). I don't think Israel shoul dbe cut in two for a "contiguous" Palestine.

1. The US may try to impose sunctions. However, due to the strategic value of Israel, there will be always some other big enough country who will cover Israeli actions. 2. Israel slowly but surely dismounts economic ties with EU and US (check the numbers!!!). Within a decade or two all the instrumetns of pressure will be rendered useless.

The USA continues to ignore the Iranian threat by making promises it doesn't keep - like the sanctions which were meant to be in place 6 months ago - unilaterally. If Israel must "get used to" the fact that USA has no intention of stopping Iran despite all its promises - then USA should "get used to" Jews building homes for their kids -unbalanced as this might seem.

israel never declared "borders." the so-called green line is an armistice line. do not write back citing letter to truman which has no legal validity at all. borders between israel and the yet to be created palestinian state are one of the final status issues to be determined through bi-lateral negotiations.

As Jews, we know truth is a powerful weapon. We believe in truth and justice passionately. Yet Israel has abandoned those values in pursuit of land and security. Goldstone, Joe Biden and the EU speak truth loudly. Netanyahu, Lieberman and Barak speak foolishness and deceit. They talk peace but then violently push forward with attacks on the Palestinian people. The world can see through the duplicity of the run-amok troika of Netanyahu-Lieberman-Barak.

Like removing settlements from Gaza. The more Jewish state gives up the more criticism and pressure it receives. If Israel will stop construction in East Jerusalem then there will be demand to conduct ethnic cleansing on the West Bank.

the only threat in the middle east is that 3rd world country they call Israel

TIMING RIGHT FOR DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

The US isn't about to change anything. USA is never going to break ties with Israel in fact it can not. Obama looks like a one term President while US-Israel ties are long term. Israel gets stronger everyday..while would be Palestine is a basket case.

Hard sell to use sanctions against an ally when you can't do anything against an enemy like Iran.

The reality is that there is an Oslo Accord and there is a RoadMap that Israel agreed to. Both exclude Jerusalem from any negotiation and/or official PA presence. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Period. Moshe Dayan was a great general, but he made a big blunder when, in the elation following the liberation of Jerusalem, he turned over the care of the Temple Mount to the Waqf (Jordanian of course)

the negotiated boundaries (not necessarily a division of the city) are established - it's a technical international matter, and not a religious or political undertaking at this time since the issue of Jerusalem has never been resolved from an international perspective, but rather only unilaterally from an Israeli/Jewish perspective by the Knesset. When there is consensus by most nations, and even if not, but certainly the expectation has been raised for decades by most countries and significant Jewish organizations, that East Jerusalem would represent the Palestinian capital. The details of Jewish presence within East Jerusalem is within these discussions. There's no reason to create a greater dilemma than actually bringing the items to the table.

Good timing. Better to reveal Israeli intentions upfront so Abbas cannot act surprised later and use it as another excuse to pout and cry. Israel will never cede any part of Jerusalem although the whole world be gathered against it.

I wouldn't put it past Lieberman to announce that Israel is demolishing the Al-Aqsa Mosque 30 minutes after the plane lands.

"You fellows write as though everything SOVEREIGN Israel does is wrong" 'SOVEREIGN' states are obliged to adhere to their acknowledged boundaries. http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/decad169.asp

Israel has never LEGALLY annexed any territory. What you call nothing, is illegal, under the UN Charter, Geneva Conventions, Laws of War, AND the Declaration of a Jewish State. ( ON THE STRENGTH OF THE RESOLUTION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY )

You fellows write as though everything SOVEREIGN Israel does is wrong. yOU WOULD PREFER WE SHOULD BE OFF ON AN ISLAND IN THE PACIFIC -AND THEN PEACE WOULD REGN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

Israel is like the man who is playing his opponent in checkers when the game has shifted to chess. She is making the assumption that the next intifada will be contested on the same basis as the past. This is mind numbingly stupid. She has succeeded in alienating almost the entire world populace. At the same time she has succeeded in forging alliances between the Palestinians and her strongest allies. Hard to top that one. Unless her economy is self sufficient and she can exist as an island, she has turned a slam dunk into the real possibility she could lose. Friends don't let friends drive drunk, but how do you tell a country that she has over imbibed on arrogance.

what the f does israel being a sovereing nation have to do with its right to kill children and women and occupy territory and flout all international law. what a f'ing idiot. you're saying just bc israel is a sovereign nation it can do whatever the f it wants? f'ing racist, hypocritical dumbass

Let's hope that the US begins to look at the issue from it's own needs. Unfortunately, as Ariel Sharon said, it does appear that israelis own America.

Why does Israel make so many stupid PR mistakes? I am a passionate defender of Israel when dishonest criticism is hurled at Israel, but I have never seen a people SAY so many stupid things that just come back to haunt them. It's the world's dumbest country in regard to basic PUBLIC RELATIONS decisions. We Jewish people in the USA understand basic PR and how to not say idiotic things. Israel seems to be the opposite and it is really annoying

Why do Issacharoff and Harel think that Obama will suddenly grow a spine? When ever challenged by anyone, republicans, the Iranians, big pharma, the health industry, the insurance industry, has Obama EVER stood up and defended himself or America? The reckless and ruthless behavior of the Netanyahu gang will eventually harm Israel. But it would be astounding if Obama did anything over this last and latest of over a year of deliberate humiliations.

From your safe dugout there in the US, you ask what the big deal may be? And you ask why do other countries try to influence Israel? The big deal is that Israel was given.....yes given land behind the Green Line: that is all and all it should have. As to nations dictating to other nations, look no further that AIPAC and Israel's spies and the money from other lobbying groups in the US and you will see how one nation (Israel) dictates to another (the US). Are you a dual, or do you just love Israel better than you love the US? Make a choice.

Dateline Palestine May 1947. Today 5 Arab armies today attacked the fledgling state of Israel. The state has been eradicated and the Jewish community is no longer in existence. What the Nazi war machine tried to do over 5 years of extermination , the arab armies did in one day. The United Nations is in an emergency session putting together a harsh response to the Arab countries but it seems there is no use. All is lost for the Jewish state. Oh well !

Israeli announcement to build more settlements on Palestinian lands in East Jerusalem is not only illegal but immoral. The US needs to withdraw loan guarantees for such illegal activities and implement a more wholistic policy in the region. Blind support for Israel is no longer an option.

More people in the world think Israel is a threat to world peace than Iran. Iran cannot project its military power but Israel can and does

Blind eye, good eye, one eye, two eyes. The U.S. can turn whatever it wants to the settlements. It will DO absolutely NOTHING!

Obama regime can't pick and choose which US laws passed by Congress it follows. Here the President makes foreign policy "with the advice and CONSENT of Congress". A 1994 law passed by huge majorities requires White House to recognize unified Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and only of Israel. While it gives the President discretion as to timing of moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, it does NOT give him the discretion to designate the sovereignty of any part of unified Jerusalem as other than Israeli. Consistent with this, Israel informed Obama that it would not be accepting even temporary "freezes" on home-building in Jerusalem. Obama stupidly created present stalemate by allowing Abbas to place ALL Israeli building in a pre-condition to peace talks. Now obvious Abbas and his PLO aren't seeking an independent state, because he needs to take orders/ask permission from the Arab League! Abbas is just a stooge following orders of states at war with Israel - hardly "independence".

Unfortunately, as long as the likes of Pelosi, Lieberman, Schumer, et al are dominating U.S. policy, the U.S. will continue to turn a blind eye to Israel's provocations. The only sensible explanations for Israel's seemingly drunken behavior is that Netanyahu and Lieberman (Israel's) are reinforcing their position with the settlers by feeding them a steady diet of raw meat. Hitler eventually found it necessary to purge his brownshirts, just as King Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia eliminated the fundamentalist Bedouin who fueled his drive to power. The Israeli government, if it is to retain a shred of dignity and international standing, will one day have to rein in its settler supporters. The longer it waits, the more difficult and bloody it will be.

What is the fascination or fixation of Goyim with Israel? Could be feelings of guilt, Jew hate, Jew love, stubborn rightousness (the kind that get their name in Yad Vashem), intellectual discourse, fear or hope or anything. What are facts? Israel is in ME = OIL = world energy producer. Terrorism and global terrorist Muslim jihad against West is fueled by Israeli/Arab conflict. More I cannot give. Hope on peace but Israel now becoming hopeless like Pals. That's the general feeling I guess. Regards.

Israeli are arresting member of peace movement in the middle of the night, building settlements in the middle of palestinian population and grapping lands from palestinian in east jerusalem to buils for israeli, they sure never miss to miss the oppotunity to peace in the middleast

The last time I looked, Israel was still a sovereign nation. So how come the world is trying to dictate policy to Israel. Their could be horrible death and destruction happening in the world, but all you would see in the media is headlines blazing: "Israel is building 1600 new homes in Jerusalem"! Big deal! What is so sacred about the Palestinians. Olmert at one time offered them the whole ball of wax and they rejected the offer. Has anybody bothered to ask the question: Would the Pals. recognize Israel's right to exist? The answer is NO, NO, NO! If they did agree to recognize Israel, they would have to stop calling israel , "the occupation army" and also they would renounce "armed resistance against Israel. This will never happen, so why does the world get so hysterical over nothing, because that 's what it is, Nothing!

is to immediately cut off all aid, loan guarantees and any form of cover or assistance to Israel. If that does not change the attitude of Israel, then the US should apply sanctions and urge Europe to do the same. Israel's actions of late show that it is not a friend to the US, but rather a dangerous enemy. What is in it anymore for the US? Israel technology? I think not. Now let the "zionist forever" types start their invectives in these postings.

It did so with Georg Bush sr., who knew what to do and closed the money- and arms flow untill Isreael binded in. One can only hope that Obama is still a gentleman boxer and that he is not still unaware he is actually in a boxing game with the far-right of Zionism. He will end up otherwise not upon the dustbin of history but be a major request at 'biggest bloopers of the past' forever.