UK summons Israel ambassador over settlements

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

The UK has summoned Israel's ambassador in London over the plans to expand settlement building in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Foreign Office warned of a "strong reaction", but dismissed reports that the British ambassador in Tel Aviv could be withdrawn, as "speculation".

Israel authorised 3,000 additional housing units a day after the UN voted to upgrade Palestinian status.

The UN expressed "disappointment", but Israel has vowed to continue building.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20578684

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UK and France summon Israeli envoys in settlements row.

Britain and France have both summoned Israeli ambassadors in protest at Israel's decision to approve the construction of 3,000 new homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The UK said the move would cast doubt on Israel's "stated commitment to achieving peace with the Palestinians".

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Sweden also summoned the Israeli ambassador, while Russia and Germany expressed their opposition to the settlement plans.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20579248

Britain, France mull measures against Israel over settlements.

(Reuters) - Britain and France on Monday weighed measures against Israel to protest at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to expand settlement building after the United Nations' de facto recognition of Palestinian statehood.

Germany urged Israel to refrain from expanding settlements and Russia said it viewed plans to put more new homes in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem with serious concern.

Diplomatic sources said both London and Paris were considering the unprecedented step of recalling their ambassadors to Tel Aviv, but both countries signalled there was still room for manoeuvre to avoid a deep crisis with Israel.

"There are other ways in which we can express our disapproval," a French Foreign Ministry official told Reuters in Paris after diplomatic sources said France and Britain were mulling whether to order their envoys home from Tel Aviv.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/12/03/uk-palestinians-israel-ambassadors-idUKBRE8B207420121203

[go west young man]

1. Maybe the West is finally waking up to this relentless land grabbing

by these religious fanatics with no desire to negotiate. It's time to stop giving Israel our tax dollars.

[duhneece]

2. I agree

Continuing to provide Israel with so much financial assistance, sometimes in the form of arms 'sales', is wrong politically and morally while they continue these settlements.

[geek tragedy]

9. Europe has been aware for some time. Now they're more willing to ignore what the USA

has to say and just do the right thing.

[Why Syzygy]

3. "de facto"

That isn't the correct term to describe the recognized status. I would say that it IS law, as practiced by the UN.

[GitRDun]

4. Israel is its own worst enemy

Netenyahu is equivalent to our RW asshat!

[Scootaloo]

5. Not only that, but it's an extremely short-sighted enemy

Take for instance, the 1980's;
"hey guys, I heard there's a fundamentalist religious group happening in the territories. If we give them money and weapons, maybe they'll put some heat on the secular Arabist PLO! Just write the check out to 'Hamas'"

"The Lebanese will welcome us as saviors! No? They keep fighting us? Let's stay for two decades anyway!"

"Let's help arm Iran so they can undermine the Arab world's most powerful military!"

"Those kids at Birzeit are waving that illegal flag again; we better jackboot the hell out of them; what's the worst that could happen?"

Israel is making a land grab but has no fucking idea what to do with the people who live there. What's the worst that could happen?

[daa]

6. Just another meaningless summons, the settlements go on paid for by you. Nt

[harun]

7. Our tax dollars at work.

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. Kick (nt)