US Sharply Criticizes New Israeli Construction Project After Obama, Netanyahu Meet

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

By JULIE PACE | Associated Press | 57 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a strikingly sharp public rebuke, the Obama administration warned Israel on Wednesday that plans for a controversial new housing project in east Jerusalem would distance Israel from "even its closest allies" and raise questions about its commitment to seeking peace with Palestinians.

The harsh criticism came just hours after President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met at the White House. Obama spokesman Josh Earnest said the president raised his concerns about the construction project with Netanyahu, though the two leaders made no mention of the matter in their public comments to reporters.

"This development will only draw condemnation from the international community," Earnest said. "It also would call into question Israel's ultimate commitment to a peaceful negotiated settlement with the Palestinians."

The new 2,500 unit project is contentious because it would complete a band of Jewish areas that separate Jerusalem from nearby Bethlehem. The U.S. has repeatedly criticized Israeli construction in east Jerusalem, casting it as damaging to efforts to secure an elusive peace accord with the Palestinians.

Read more: http://www.newser.com/article/24663c5944f747e4860a5f418b07e1bc/us-sharply-criticizes-new-israeli-construction-project-after-obama-netanyahu-meet.html

[Comrade Grumpy]

1. Meaningless piffle without action to back it up. n/t

[Crowman1979]

2. I'm shocked! Shocked to find their is construction going on in here.

[Phlem]

3. There's a reason he's called

no Drama Obama. To me that translates into 0.0000000000000000 bold moves.

[davidpdx]

5. Really?

You think any president would up and move against Israel? He'd find himself hit in the back of the head by both parties if he did.

[JI7]

6. just like during the Gaza conflict , he has been more critical than other presidents and most

officials in both parties. when he was critical during the gaza conflict both parties voted to support israel while ignoring palestinians.

[davidpdx]

9. I know, which is why comments about him doing nothing are judicious

[Cali_Democrat]

8. Even Bernie Sanders backed Israel's offensive in Gaza...Warren too

They also backed sending Israel advanced weapons and aid.

[azureblue]

4. It's long past time

to let them run their own country, with their own money and their own weapons. Israel can support itself and doesn't need our help. The US needs that money we give to Israel for its own people. And to stay out of their politics.

[Phlem]

10. Now that's a nice bold move.

[Mister Nightowl]

7. Remember Biden's visit?

When the Israeli Interior Ministry announced new settlements while he was there? Even Tom Friedman said that the Vice President should have basically told the Israeli gov't to go fuck itself!