Israel Defies Obama's Settlement Demand, Authorizes Construction Of 300 New Homes In West Bank

In defiance of President Obama's call for a halt to all settlement growth, Israel has authorized the construction of 300 new homes in the West Bank, Haaretz reports.

According to Army Radio said 60 of the 300 homes slated for the Talmon settlement in the West Bank have already been built and that [Defense Minister Ehud] Barak had approved plans to construct another 240 units there.

U.S. President Barack Obama has pressed Israel to halt settlement activity as part of a bid to revive peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Haaretz reports that half a million Jews live in settlement blocs and outposts on land Israel captured in 1967.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called debate over the settlements a waste of time, according to a separate report from Haaretz.

He also said that Israel has been forthcoming with its intentions to halt construction while still allowing for natural growth in existing communities, which he called "an equitable position which reflexes our willingness to enter immediately in peace negotiations and get on with peace."

"I think that the more we spend time arguing about this, the more we waste time instead of moving towards peace," he said.

The AP reports that the plans were approved by Barak and filed with authorities in April.

The outpost, known as Water Reservoir Hill, is just several hundred meters (yards) from an established Israeli settlement, Talmon, not far from Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian government.

It is one of more than 100 wildcat settlements that have been erected without official government approval but typically with the cooperation of government agencies.

"This is important because it shows that Israel is not only not evacuating outposts, but is turning them into what it considers legal settlements and expanding areas of control in ways that harm Palestinians," said Alon Cohen-Lifshitz, an architect at Bimkom.

Bimkom has filed an objection with planning authorities, along with residents of the nearby Palestinian village of al-Jania.

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Comments

[Theou]

To Dark Slope, I'm sure you're aware of the Bushite definition of "democratic society" i.e. one which is safe for zionists and the most extreme of Jewish chauvanists. Women's and Gay's rights are added as a sop to "liberals". This is the position that Kraznet is pushing.

[DarkSlope]

I am aware. I have a large amount of Gay Israeli friends, and as a matter of fact was invited to, and attended, a gay Channukah party with about 35-40 gay Israelis here in NYC. They were very honest about how gay people are views in Israel and why they came to the US.

[DarkSlope]

Kraznet is associating the creation of a Palestinian State with the oppression of Women and Gay rights. That does not make sense. We have little to no evidence on homosexuality and Palestinians, and in comparison to the Oil Arabs, Palestinian women play an important role in their society, have a choice in the manner in which they dress, and for the most part are encouraged to go to college if they can afford it or are allowed to leave their towns. his comment makes no sense.

[DarkSlope]

Almost every one on this post wants to cut of financial aid to Israel, as if that will have a serious impact on their economy. That will not be effective whatsoever. The impact would be minimal at most and purely symbolic. There are 2 things that the US can do to have a true impact:

1. Withdraw all military support for them, i.e., make it known to their neighbors that the US will not engage in any defense of future disputes between Israel and it's neighbors.

2. M-BAR-GO.

Neither of these options will ever happen though, so Palestinians need to learn how to continue to live like animals or just vanish all together, because Israel will never allow them to function as an entirely independent state.

[BubbaC33]

Are you demanding an end to all US aid or just aid sent to Israel? What criteria are you using to make your decision?
You also are demanding an embargo against Israel. I am guessing you want to embargo any busines with Israel as long as it does not act in the manner you want towards the Palestinians. If that is your reason you must also be demanding an embargo against China and Russia? And India and a number of other nations around the globe.
Israel gave up Gaza and if Hamas, a group of cowards, would stop firing rockets into Israel we would forget about Gaza.

[DarkSlope]

1. Name calling does not help
2. I am not demanding anything, I am merely commenting.

Put the gun down, and take a step back.

[DarkSlope]

Also, it has been clearly identified that the rockets came after Israeli decided to turn Gaza into the world's largest prison and block their ability to engage in commerce.

[LolaB]

If cutting funds doesn't work, why would an embargo?
Israel doesn't need military support.
The U.S. pays Israel (like other nations) to "not fight"
The only real way to get change is for the citizens of Israel to elect better officials. Pressure needs to come from Jews around the world... who understand the Israeli plight, but can also see that of the Palestians. Most Jews in the U.S. do not support the settlements. This is where action is needed.

[Name Not In Use]

Set aside your opinions on the settlements - since you're not going to agree any way.

The real story here is how quickly our elected officials will stand at attention for moneyed special interests.

Now you understand why any plan to reform health care is already doomed.

Now you understand why Medicare cannot even ask for competitive bids for prescription drug pricing.

Now you understand why insurance company profits are soaring - and will continue to do so.

Vote for whomever you wish. The "lobbyists" will meet with the newly-elected politician and explain the rules. Do as we say and we will fund your re-election. Oppose us and we will fund your defeat.

[BubbaC33]

The need for Israel is confirmed every day by a number of folks posting on this site. The ones who demand an end to US aid to Israel, but to no other antion. The folks who make statements about Israel that are intellectually dishonest. The folks who writein such a fashion it makes it easy to believe they would have been happy to make the selections.
I appreciate Huff Po more each and every day. The sunshine of intellectual in quiry will cause many of the arguments made by some to wilt. And the light of exposure will certainly forcce some of the haters of Israel and Jews to re-think their bias and change their thinking.

[CigarGod]

You continue to make a common and elementary mistake by equating criticism of harmful policy, with h. ate.

[BubbaC33]

The postings I refer to go beyond criticism. There are folks who equate Israel with Nazi Germany, that is not criticism, it is hate. Criticism of Israel based on fair and equally applied standards is a good thing and a legitimate starting point for a reasonable discussion. However, far too many people on this site use postings filled with dishonesty to attack Israel and that is hate.

[DeniseA]

And thanks to Israeli-designed Pentium Processors and Windows software we can have these discussions.

[arle]

Mac user here!

[flippedlefty]

Another $2B AID to the 'righteous'. I say ENOUGH... I am SOO TIRED of Israel. Soo tired...

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN2336577220090623

[sosi]

Israel and its us cronies have only contempt for US: http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/occupation-101/

[DeniseA]

Sosi, I went to this site and didn't find it anti-Israeli at all, and no, I don't believe you. They don't have contempt for the US at all.

[BubbaC33]

The problem with the "documentary" you link is it is based on an incorrect understanding of international law, a one-sided account of the history of the region, and a decided bias against Israel.

[CigarGod]

In what specific way?

[DeniseA]

I believe the documentary clearly states that Israel was defending itself against terrorism/suicide bombers, and that's why they were attacking.

[kraznet]

in Israel gay marriage is already recognized and NOW,
Overseas adoptions by gay couples get OK from Israel
United Press International (4/25)

To support the Palestinian Cause is to be anti women, anti gay and anti democracy.

[DarkSlope]

How did you link one with the other? That's a leap in conclusions.

[kraznet]

"For reasons both telling and mysterious, Israel has become unpopular among that segment of public opinion that calls itself progressive. This is the same progressive segment that believes in women's rights, gay rights, the rights to a fair trial and to appeal, freedom of speech and conscience, judicial checks on parliamentary authority. These are rights that exist in Israel and nowhere else in the Middle East. So why is it that the country that is most sympathetic to progressive values gets the least of progressive sympathies?"

it is therefore very strange that, because of their rabid anti Israel views, these progressives have turned into apologists for Islamic fundamentalists (such as hamas and hezbollah) who loath and despise every progressive belief that these folks hold dear.

[CigarGod]

Because the subject is how Israel is treating the Palestinians.

Not Gays, women, free speech, or conditions in other countries.

Doing well in one sector does not give Israel immunity for doing poorly in another.

[DeniseA]

Israel has to defend herself against terrorism/suicide bombers. If the Palestinians could get that to stop Israel would not have to defend herself and things would get better.

[kraznet]

hmm--no more aid to israel and then i wonder what happens. oh i know--hamas and hezbollah take over and we know how much they love the USA and west. Oh yes and their sterling treatment of women and gays and non-muslims will be a fine example for the middle east, much better than israel's messy democracy.

[JackWhistle]

I truly believe that we should break all ties with Israel. They are more than strong enough to defend themselves and do not need our aid to exist. This will safeguard the innocents located within Israel. The rest? The ones outside of their borders attacking, harassing, stealing from innocent Palestinians? Shoot em.

[AdamX]

I am appauled by almost all the comments here. You folks, per usual, understand nothing about the history of these settlements. Obama is not the president of Israel, anymore than Netanyahu is the President of the U.S.

[discourse jockey]

Oh, Israel. The world is such a mean and unjust place to determine you the country with the most negative and least positive influence in the entire world, behind even the ceaselessly media-bashed Iran.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6421597.stm

When will they finally see the light? And does that light really have to stem from some Geneva-banned weapons employed by the heroic, US-taxpaye­r-subsidiz­ed IDF in their justified defense? Why won't you Arabs just cease threatening Israel with your existence already? What other choice does Israel have but to tease you into further attacks? They learned that tactic from the US, you know, so it can only be good.

[discourse jockey]

Generic rightwing comment in support of Israel because they are just the victims rightfully defending themselves or something along those lines.

[whoa20]

This is what Barack Obama gets for trying to talk at Israel. Also, the settlements are completely legal. The Jewish State, along with Judea and Samaria will live on thru the ages

[econ1]

Obama is a great speaker, but if Israel in effect tells him to pound sand and he does nothing....who cares.

Does the US have to send billions to Israel to blow up Palestine and billions to Palestine to re-build? It is like the world's biggest public works project....with our money.