Likud Committee Votes on New Settlements

[Purveyor]

(CBS/AP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose Likud party heads up a coalition of right-leaning parties, may soon find himself in the middle of another political controversy.

On Thursday, Likud's Central Committee voted to build again in East Jerusalem and the West Bank once Israel's self-imposed 10-month freeze on settlement construction lifts in September.

Although Netanyahu was not present for the vote, he had earlier given his assent to the draft proposal submitted by Knesset member Danny Danon, according to the Israeli daily Haaretz.

Settlement construction in the occupied territories has been a touchstone of controversy ever since Israel conquered the region during the 1967 war and almost immediately began to rebuild former Jewish-held enclaves in Jerusalem and the West Bank. The Palestinians have sharply criticized the settlements, which expanded in scope and size after the Likud came to power under Menachem Begin in 1977, as an impediment to peace.

The Obama administration, which had pressed for the current freeze, has described the political impasse between the sides as unsustainable. Earlier this year, the White House tangled with Netanyahu when Israel announced plans to expand housing in East Jerusalem, which Palestinians want as their capital, during a visit to the country by Vice President Joe Biden.

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http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/06/24/world/worldwatch/main6615025.shtml

[IndianaGreen]

1. This is great news! It gives further impetus to the one state solution!

We have a de facto one state solution already in place, so let's fight for full citizenship rights for Arabs living in Gaza, East Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. Let all of them enjoy full rights of citizenship, including one person-one vote.

[FBI_Un_Sub]

2. In Israel's crazy parliamentary system with proportional representation

In Israel's crazy parliamentary system with proportional representation a party led by Sarah Pailin and Orly Taitz could win seats in the Knesset. The likud is an Israeli "Tea Party" --- don't criticize, the California GOP nominated Carly Fiorina, the Kentucky GOP nominated Rand Paul MD, then there's Pat Toomey in Pennsylvania, etc. Extremist kooks on both sides -- even here.

Look at Netanyahu -- and see Dr Rand Paul, MD.