Israel Delays Announcement On Settlement Construction Until After Kerry's Visit: Report

[Purveyor]

Source: Xinhua

JERUSALEM, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday postponed a planned announcement of more than 1,000 new housing units in the settlements until after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to the region, the Ha'aretz daily reported.

According to the daily, a senior official in Israel said Netanyahu convinced Housing Minister Uri Ariel to postpone the announcement to prevent an embarrassment to the Israeli government amid Kerry's visit which would attempt to salvage the deteriorating peace talks.

"Nobody has an intention of sticking a finger in Kerry's eye," the daily quoted the official as saying. "On this matter, there is full coordination between the prime minister and the housing minister," he added.

Kerry is set to arrive in the region on Wednesday night, and will hold meetings with both Israeli Prime Minister and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in order to create a framework for an interim agreement.

Read more: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2014-01/02/c_125943804.htm

[Scootaloo]

1. ...But they ARE going to announce it, right?

What is this kabuki bullshit?

[DLnyc]

3. So they will wait till after Kerry leaves

to stick a finger in his eye?

With friends like this, who needs enemies?

[okaawhatever]

2. What is Xinhua? I assume it's a Chinese paper? I see English so I assume it's the English speaking

version of another paper. I'm just wondering if this is covered by the msm or something being hidden. It doesn't appear from the writing to be slanted or biased so I was just curious.

I'm glad they postponed the announcement. Bibi needs to show he's not a complete lunatic who has no intention of supporting a two state solution. This is a step in the right direction.

[azurnoir]

4. From an Israeli paper:Israel won’t announce settlement expansion until after Kerry visit

Israeli officials on Wednesday decided to delay announcing new settlement construction while US Secretary of State John Kerry is visiting the region, saying it was inappropriate to make the announcement during the American diplomat’s stay.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-wont-announce-settlement-expansion-until-after-kerry-visit/