US condemns Israeli plan

[Cees Binkhorst]

REPLY TO: D66 at nic.surfnet.nl

Ben benieuwd hoeveel ballen Obama heeft.

Groet / Cees

PS Ik had Netanyahu dus mooi laten zitten met z'n diner ;)

US condemns Israeli plan
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/us-condemns-israeli-plan/story-e6frg6so-1225839322060
US attempts to restart the Middle East peace process were in serious
doubt last night after Israel announced 1600 new homes in sensitive East
Jerusalem during a visit by US Vice-President Joe Biden.

Only hours after Mr Biden said an opportunity to renew peace existed, he
issued a statement condemning Israel.

The White House, the UN, the Palestinian leadership and large sections
of the Israeli media joined his denunciation of Israel's plan and its
timing.

The move was even panned by Israel's Defence Minister, Ehud Barak. "The
entourage of Defence Minister Ehud Barak expresses its anger after the
unwarranted announcement, which affects peace negotiations with the
Palestinians - negotiations of the highest interest for Israel," a
statement said.

Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas was already under fire from
his constituency for agreeing to "proximity talks" between Israelis and
Palestinians.

Mr Biden was 90 minutes late for his dinner with Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu because he was working on a statement about the announcement.

"I condemn the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning
for new housing units," Mr Biden said in the statement. "The substance
and timing of the announcement, particularly with the launching of
proximity talks, is precisely the kind of step that undermines the trust
we need . . . and runs counter to the constructive discussions I've had
in Israel."

Israeli media debated whether Mr Netanyahu knew the announcement was
coming or whether it was released by a committee responsible to Interior
Minister Eli Yishai, who is also leader of the ultra-orthodox Shas party
and a proponent of expanding Jewish populations in the West Bank and
East Jerusalem.

Mr Netanyahu reportedly told Mr Biden the announcement was confirmation
of an earlier decision and was not intended to embarrass him.

But an article in Maariv newspaper said: "The closest man to Netanyahu
in Washington (the two have indeed known each other for many years)
suffered the usual treatment here, following which the guest returns to
his capital angry, humiliated, agitated and seeking revenge.

"It's always `technical', the timing is always `coincidental', and the
Prime Minister is `surprised' when his aide brings in the note with the
report on the new construction tenders in East Jerusalem, but somehow it
always happens. With the precision of a Swiss clock."

Mr Yishai told Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper he did not know the decision
on the 1600 homes would be submitted the day Mr Biden was in Jerusalem.

But a Jerusalem city councillor, Meir Turjeman, said Mr Yishai had known
the committee was going to convene yesterday and had instructed his
representatives on the body to work towards approving the decision.

Mr Yishai denied this.

Mr Abbas agreed to the talks four days ago, but the day after Israel
announced it would build 112 new apartments in a West Bank settlement.

Yesterday's announcement brings to almost 5000 the number of new
apartments Israel has flagged in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since
it announced a 10-month freeze on settlement growth, although Israel
says Jerusalem is its "undivided and eternal capital" and is not part of
any freeze.

Mr Abbas has said he would begin direct peace talks with Mr Netanyahu if
Israel agrees to a three-month freeze of new buildings in the West Bank
and East Jerusalem.

But under pressure from the US he has agreed to the proximity talks
under which Mr Mitchell will meet Israeli officials in Jerusalem then
relay what they say to Palestinian officials.

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