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Muslim Voice Of America Blog Lets Knowledge Guide Our Path |
By HERB KEINON | Front Lines – the week that was | Jerusalem Post
Let’s turn to the Bush letter, and whether there were agreements on settlement construction with the Bush administration. Is this letter still applicable, even though there is a new administration?
I would think yes; this is a country of laws, a country that abides by its commitments. I think the Bush letter clearly demonstrated realities on the ground and the importance that American foreign policy places on Israel’s right to secure its population. And the realities on the ground are such that the settlements are now, and should be, part of Israel, in terms of those discussed in the letter. Obviously there are those [settlements] very much in conflict with that letter. But certainly as far as the [large settlement] blocks are concerned, and the ability for Israel, and Jews of Israel to live in these, I don’t think there is a question as far as American policy is concerned. Nor should there be.
~ Article From Jerusalem Post
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Diplomacy: ‘Settlement issue distracts from Iran’
By HERB KEINON | Front Lines – the week that was | Jerusalem Post
How about Jerusalem? Is there support on the Hill for Israel’s construction in east Jerusalem?
Yes, I would say so. I certainly am a strong advocate for a united Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the Jewish state and we should continue to pursue the policy of a united Jerusalem.
Did the administration err in taking Israel to the carpet over its plans to build 20 apartments at the Shepherd’s Hotel site in east Jerusalem?
I think to most Americans, and to most members of Congress, it is anathema that we would suggest that Israel does not have the right, and Israelis do not have the right, to live in east Jerusalem. I mean we would never suggest that Jews don’t have the right to live wherever they desire in the world, and that’s why I think it is very, very concerning when there is discussion about Jews not being able to live in east Jerusalem.
~ Article From Jerusalem Post
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Diplomacy: ‘Settlement issue distracts from Iran’
By HERB KEINON | Front Lines – the week that was | Jerusalem Post
Has Obama been unilateral in his pressure on Israel? Because when you talk to Obama’s people, they say they are applying pressure on the Arabs as well, but that we just don’t see it.
What we are seeing is a disproportionate discussion about the natural growth in settlements, when that is supposed to be an issue decided later in any overall peace agreement. The fundamental issues should be the recognition, or at least the affirmation, of Israel’s historical legitimacy. That should be the focus. We are not going to be able to achieve peace, or foster an environment to achieve peace, unless you have the Palestinians and the Arab states affirming Israel’s historic legitimacy.
~ Article From Jerusalem Post
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Diplomacy: ‘Settlement issue distracts from Iran’
By HERB KEINON | Front Lines – the week that was | Jerusalem Post
So are you saying there is support on the Hill for natural growth in the settlements?
I think that the whole issue of the status of the settlement blocks is something to be resolved in future agreements; it is not something we should begin pressuring Israel on now, when there really have not been adequate steps taken by the Arab states and the Palestinians.
Our system of democracy here is very much dictated by where the American people are. And in public opinion polls, one after the other, you continue to see strong support for the US-Israel relationship. You see strong support for the focus of our foreign policy to be directed toward trying to stop the nuclearization of Iran; support that Israel must exist as a Jewish state; and [support for the idea] that a policy that puts pressure on Israel, before evidence that Arab states will take the steps necessary to recognize Israel’s right to exist, is not what we should be doing.
~ Article From Jerusalem Post
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Diplomacy: ‘Settlement issue distracts from Iran’
By HERB KEINON | Front Lines – the week that was | Jerusalem Post
Some maintain Obama is driving so hard on the settlement issue because he feels there is little support for them in Congress or in the American Jewish community. Is that a proper reading?
I think that is an inaccurate portrayal of where Congress is and where the American people are.
I think the American people are squarely behind Israel’s legitimacy and its right to exist as a Jewish state. As Congress continues to focus, it is of primary importance in my mind that we place our solidarity with the people of Israel first. I think it is misplaced for us to sit here and suggest that the issue of settlements needs to take priority over the primary concern in the region, which is the threat by Iran. That is not where this Congress is and not where the American people are.
~ Article From Jerusalem Post
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Diplomacy: ‘Settlement issue distracts from Iran’
By HERB KEINON | Front Lines – the week that was | Jerusalem Post
If you thought this week saw a big influx of visiting US government officials – and indeed it did, with visits from US Middle East envoy George Mitchell, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, National Security Adviser Jim Jones and NSC Middle East adviser Dennis Ross – then hold your socks.
Eric Cantor.
Photo: Courtesy: United States Congress
Over the next two weeks, some 60 US congressmen, nearly 15 percent of the 435-member House of Representatives, will be gracing our shores, most of them freshman representatives, all of them on trips sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
The first group, the Republican delegation – arriving Monday for a week – will be headed by Eric Cantor of Virginia, the sole Jewish Republican in the House. Besides that distinction, Cantor is also the minority whip, which makes him the No. 2 Republican in the House, behind Minority Leader John Boehner. A week later, the Democratic delegation will come to town, headed by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland.
Cantor, 46, is a name that appeared on the US national radar screen about this time last year, when he was part of Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s “Veep Sweepstakes,” one of the names being considered as a possible running mate. Characterized in a Time magazine profile earlier this year as “the Newt Gingrich of his generation,” and as “one of the few rising stars in a party struggling to reinvent itself,” his name is regularly floated as a possible GOP candidate in the 2012 presidential race.
During their week-long stay here, Cantor and his delegation will be meeting the country’s top leadership, including President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and opposition head Tzipi Livni. They will also be going to Ramallah to talk to top Palestinian Authority officials, including Prime Minister Salaam Fayad.
Before leaving the US, Cantor spoke by phone Wednesday with The Jerusalem Post about settlements, President Barack Obama, American Jews, Iran, Syria and the current status of Israel-US ties. What follows are excerpts from that conversation.
You were quoted in November as saying that a strong US-Israel relationship was a top priority for you, and that you would be outspoken if US President Barack Obama “did anything to harm those ties.” Has he?
I’m very concerned about some of the reports indicating some disagreement and pressure being put on Israel regarding construction in the settlement areas, as well as Jerusalem in particular. I feel that any kind of emphasis on the issue of natural growth in the settlements is a distraction from the real urgent crisis in the region, which is the nuclearization of Iran.
For More of the Interview, Please click the link below:
Diplomacy: ‘Settlement issue distracts from Iran’
“They say time heals, but each day is more difficult than the last,” says Ayelet Modoh, 37.
Ten Israeli soldiers died during the conflict, while between 1,100 and 1,400 Gazans are estimated killed, although views vary as to how many were civilians.
“The ceasefire is not indefinite. We are still afraid in our hearts.”
~BBC
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Uneasy recovery for Sderot and south Israel
Israel has authorised a one-off shipment of hundreds of tonnes of cement and building materials to the heavily embargoed Gaza Strip.
~ BBC
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Israel to allow cement into Gaza.
Defying calls from the US to freeze settlements, young Israelis set up tents and huts on hilltops..
sraeli settler groups have set up 11 new outposts in the occupied West Bank, in a direct rebuttal of mounting US calls to freeze settlement activity.
Young Jewish groups are reported to have set up the structures – mostly tents and huts on hilltops – in the West Bank over Monday night, in a move timed as a precursor to the meeting between the US special envoy, George Mitchell, and Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu today. On Monday, hundreds of settlers set up an outpost near the Palestinian village of Tulkarem, reportedly without intervention from the Israeli army.
Militant Jewish settlers set up 11 outposts in the occupied West Bank
