Trump Admin Officials Insist Jerusalems Western Wall Will Become Part Of Israel

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Talking Points Memo

Trump Admin Officials Insist Jerusalem’s Western Wall Will Become Part Of Israel



By KEN THOMAS Published DECEMBER 15, 2017 4:35 PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senior Trump administration officials outlined their view Friday that Jerusalem’s Western Wall ultimately will be declared a part of Israel, in another declaration sure to enflame passions among Palestinians and others in the Middle East.

Although they said the ultimate borders of the holy city must be resolved through Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, the officials — speaking ahead of Vice President Mike Pence’s trip to the region — essentially ruled out any scenario that didn’t maintain Israeli control over the holiest ground in Judaism. The issue is sensitive because the wall is beyond Israel’s pre-1967 borders and abuts some of the Islamic world’s most revered sites.

“We cannot envision any situation under which the Western Wall would not be part of Israel. But as the president said, the specific boundaries of sovereignty of Israel are going to be part of the final status agreement,” a senior administration official said. Another official later added by email, “We note that we cannot imagine Israel would sign a peace agreement that didn’t include the Western Wall.”

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details of the vice president’s upcoming trip.

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/senior-trump-officials-jerusalem-western-wall

[louis-t]

1. Fucking idiots.

[CanonRay]

2. He's deliberately trying to make Muslims go crazy

so he can further inflame his base, and maintain their loyalty.

[moondust]

17. Plus...

if some of those crazy Mooslims he has inflamed were to blow up some of his overseas properties maybe he could collect the insurance money and write them off as a loss.

[Akoto]

3. How the hell is any of it our business, or our right to speak in?

We're Israel's allies. That's it. We are not governing the area, the Israelis and the Palestinians have not asked us to resolve their territorial dispute.

I realize anything he says technically means nothing, but on the world stage and in the eyes of the citizens there, our language still has some clout (particularly due to said alliance with Israel). Playing with fire, forget it. More like blowtorch.

[mrmpa]

13. He's doing everything that the Israelis want and or ask for so..........

that when his son-in-law Kushner flees to Israel after his indictment(s), Israel will not extradite him back to the US.

[Akoto]

14. That would cause one helluva problem for Trump.

He put Kushner in that position, after all, and I have to imagine that *some* of the biggest decisions go back to the WH before being approved. If Trump's been allowing Kushner to set up an escape plan since it became apparent he might be a target for the investigation, he'd look very much like an accomplice. Family connection in the mix doesn't help him, either. I don't think Trump likes anyone enough to take the fall like that, much less Kushner.

Even then, we have an extradition treaty with Israel. If Kushner flees there to avoid an indictment, they would have to return him (I think, don't quote me, but seems pretty criminal) or jeopardize our alliance. Can you imagine how up in arms Mueller's people and the Dems would be? Ordinary people, too? Just as I don't think Trump likes Kushner enough to leave himself open, I don't think Israel likes Kushner enough to give the US up as an ally. Heck, if Kushner is a fugitive and he set everything up so he could run there, our powers that be might just reverse every decision he made.

All just a little too far out of an idea for me. I stick by my original statement that none of it's any of our damn business, though.

[fountainofyouth]

4. On the one hand, and on the other

The Israeli government will insist this in any negotiation regardless. The Clinton Parameters proposed this, as well.

But there's no need to pre-empt the negotiations by saying this and further undermining their ability to mediate. It's in keeping with a policy that's designed for domestic politics and not serious peacemaking.

[C Moon]

5. Trump needs a war right away.

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. That Pic: Dumfuk, placing his order - Big Macs, Fellatio Fish, and malteds.

[CincyDem]

8. OK - cuz I just really have to ask...

Is that one Fellatio Fish or were you looking for a Filet'o'fish ? Always confusing when you talk fast and, well...those are two things you don't really want to mix up...ya know what I sayin'

[Judi Lynn]

9. You left out an extra Fellatio Fish. He always wants TWO, just like his two scoops of ice cream

when he has ordered one scoop for all of his dinner guests to have with pie.

Two Big Macs, Two Fellatio Fishes, one huge malted. Yum, yum, burp. Gotta toothpick?

He does look even more stupid, standing there, pretending he's thinking about anything. That's simply beyond his ability range.

[diva77]

15. reminds me of this

same expression

[Raine1967]

7. It provides little comfort, but Pence cancelled his trip to the region.

The GOP needs him for the awful tax vote, it appears.

[Igel]

10. Bit of a mismatch between the article and title.

"Insist" versus "their view that ... will be declared a part of Israel."

But one must induce clicks for revenue.

As for why the Kotel should be part of Israel? Consider the way that the Western Wall was treated under the ethnic-cleansing regime of the Jordanians, who annexed the territory (unlike Israel) and treated Jewish sites with complete contempt--in violation of the armistice they signed. Even Xians were subject to restrictions in numbers during Easter and Xmas.

Even the UN has a majority who openly side in supporting the PA and its claims to declare archeology, apparently, to be a Zionist field subject to de-Zionization. Of course, they may openly and vociferously side with the PA, but they're completely unbiased and impartial in their overt support and partisanship. That they don't even try to hide their hypocrisy would have been refreshing 80 years ago. Now it's merely banal.

But such things are, ultimately, up to the parties involved in any agreement. Stating the obvious is never a bad way to go, however; it's better than insisting on a fiction that we all act as though were fact.

[MiniMe]

11. It isn't any of our business

The US doesn't dictate borders of other countries

[dawn frenzy adams]

12. I'm through!

Any respect or empathy I had for Israel is completely gone.

[regnaD kciN]

16. Well, since the administration has signalled that all Jerusalem is to be a part of Israel...

...this is hardly surprising, is it?

[Mosby]

18. Why would anyone think differently?

The Kotel will always be controlled by Israel.