Us Scolds Israel Over New Construction Plans

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration says it is "deeply concerned" by Israeli approval of new housing construction in disputed east Jerusalem.

The State Department says such "unilateral actions work against efforts to resume direct negotiations" and the spirit of the peace process. In a statement, the department says it has raised its objections with the Israeli government.

Last week, an Israeli planning commission approved 930 new housing units in the Har Homa neighborhood in east Jerusalem. Actual building is at least two years off.

Alongside its rare rebuke of a close ally, the State Department said Israelis and Palestinians should settle their differences on Jerusalem through negotiation.

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_US_ISRAEL?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-08-09-12-49-17

Just kidding!

"That's right, the new room you just allowed to be built in East Jerusalem." ;-)

If the U.S. really wanted to do something positive, it would vote FOR Palentine's admission to the UN.

I would note that even the stridently pro-Israel posters on this board support the Geneva Accord, and therefore recognise that the Palestinians are entitled to the land currently occupied by the Har Homa settlement.

Har Homa is in fact much, much closer to Bethlehem than Jerusalem - in fact the owners of the new apartments will be able to see the Church of the Nativity from their balconies, about a mile away. As such most of the history of the area is Christian, and the settlement itself stands on the ruins of Byzantine Christian buildings.

Israel has also earmarked for settlement an area called Efrata on the south side of Bethlehem, which if it proceeds will mean that Bethlehem will be surrounded by settlements on three of its four sides.

The area has no particular association with Judaism, and indeed there is plenty of undeveloped land on Israel's side of the border.

Israel to build thousands of new housing units in East Jerusalem
Interior minister gives final authorization to build 1,600 new apartments in Ramat Shlomo neighborhood, due to approve 2,700 more apartments in coming days.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-to-build-thousands-of-new-housing-units-in-east-jerusalem-1.378146

US Department Of State Form #198754 SECTION I
Half-hearted condemnation of Israel

* The statement generated by this document is not intended to be disseminated as a whole, or in any official capacity. Statements A,B,C and D should be issued separately in press interviews or speeches given by Condaleeza Rice Hillary Clinton.

A. The United States finds Israel's (demolition of houses/extralegal assassination of militants/killing of children/security fence construction/settlement construction) (very/deeply)(troubling/concerning).

B. This issue is (a subject of conversation/a subject of concern/worrisome/not productive/problematic).

C. Nevertheless, Israel is a democracy/free nation/vibrant Jewish state), and a (friend/ally/ally in the war on terror). It has (a/the/every) right to defend (itself/its sovereignty/its citizens) against (terror/acts of terror/unwarranted attacks/these insurgents/miltants/terrorists).

D. The United States supports (the rights of the Palestinian people/the right to Palestinian statehood*/a two state solution) but urges Palestine to (renounce terror/reject violence/reject failed leaders). Only then can we (embrace the chance for peace/take bold steps forward)The United States remains (strongly/absolutely) committed to (peace/the roadmap/two states living side by side in peace).

* It's always important to include something so totally bullshitty that the lower level bullshit will be ignored...

Hat-tip to the Chaser....

and I used to read the Chaser website and watch their tv show pretty regularly.

I actually bought the CNNNN dvd, I usually never buy that sort of stuff, but the skit where they drum up leadership speculation re Alan Cadman and John Howard out of thin air was brilliant.