U.S. Demands Explanation From Israel, Palestinians Threaten To Call Off Peace Talks

[Purveyor]

Source: HAARETZ

The U.S. State Department said it is "deeply concerned" by Israel's announcement over the tenders issued for the construction of 20,000 new settlement units in the West Bank and that it is demanding explanations from Israel.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas threatened to call off peace talks if Israel did not go back on its new settlement plans, and has called for an emergency meeting Wednesday in Ramallah to discuss the issue.

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that Washington was taken by surprise and had no prior knowledge of the plans. "We were surprised by it and we are seeking explanation from the Israeli government. It was not discussed in advance. We don’t recognize the legitimacy of settlements."

National Security Council spokesperson Bernadette Meehan said: “We are deeply concerned by these latest reports that over 20,000 additional units are in the early planning stages. We are currently seeking further explanation from the Government of Israel. Our position on settlements is quite clear: We have always considered the settlements to be illegitimate."


Read more: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.557681

[Dawson Leery]

1. These settlements are OUTRIGHT ILLEGAL!

That sob Bibi and LIEberman are stealing land from the Bedouin tribes.

[azurnoir]

2. What explanation? Israel is and has been making it's position on the the so called Peace Talks very

clear, theyb will go through the motions but the only important thing is that the Palestinians are the ones that call them off, Israel can claim "we were willing, but not them, see we have no partner for peace"

[Blue State Bandit]

3. ...and announcements like this are the usual catalyst.

[1000words]

4. Something to "sacrifice" at the bargaining table.

"See, Israel negotiates in good faith!"

[kelliekat44]

5. They have more than enough to "sacrifice" at any bargaining table. They just do what the world

allows them to do and the US because of its RW-Christian evangelicals keep selling the kool-aid and the RW Gopers keep raking in the money for their votes. At some point, sanctions should be placed on Israel.

[Ash_F]

6. The explanation is that the racist nationalists are becoming more marginalized

both at home and abroad, which is making them even more crazy and radical. It happened in South Africa and it is happening with Republicans in America too.

[karynnj]

7. Very poorly written article, at the end it says Netanyahu already halted them

Haartez is usually good - and left leaning, this is just sloppy. Seems like someone did not want to rewrite the story and just started adding. Reading the whole thing is not a bad idea.

[azurnoir]

8. NO it doies NOT say that, it says Bibi halted plans for 1200 units in the E1 area

just outside of East Jerusalem which already contains huge settlement blocks

here from the OP

Just hours after the news broke, Netanyahu ordered a halt to the construction plans in the E1 area. The Prime Minister's Office issued a statement: "There is no reason to pay an international price for a planning process that isn't that significant." This tender is part of a plan for over 20,000 housing units throughout the West Bank, the largest in the last decade.

Details on the plans for new settlement construction landed on Cabinet Secretary Avichai Mendelblit's table Tuesday morning, including the plans for 1,200 units in the controversial E1 area between Ma'ale Adumim and Jerusalem.

According to sources close to Netanyahu, Mendelblit went right away to the Prime Minister's Office to update him. "Netanyahu immediately told Mendelblit to tell [Housing Minister] Uri Ariel there is no E1. I won't hear of it."

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.557681

[karynnj]

11. My mistake - I guess the article is not that badly written after all

I hope there is enough pressure to change their minds.

[iandhr]

9. An Israeli Comedy shows take on the peace talks.

[Purveyor]

10. This Just In: ISRAEL HALTS PLANS TO EXPLORE NEW SETTLEMENTS

JERUSALEM (AP) -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday backed off controversial plans for potential construction of thousands of new homes on the West Bank, including development of a contentious area outside of Jerusalem.

The plan announced by Israel's Housing Ministry earlier in the day, prompted a Palestinian threat to walk out of Mideast peace talks. U.S. officials said they were blindsided by the Israeli announcement and demanded an explanation.

In a statement issued late Tuesday evening, Netanyahu said the plan would make "no contribution" to settlements and would only hurt the cause.

He said the announcement had caused "unnecessary conflict" with the international community just at a time when Israel is trying to rally pressure to halt Iran's nuclear program.

more...

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_ISRAEL_PALESTINIANS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-11-12-17-07-30

[azurnoir]

12. thanks

so it's first we get this Iran conference under control then we build

[L0oniX]

13. YAwn.

[elleng]

15. "We don’t recognize the legitimacy of settlements."