Israeli Minister Benny Begin, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling Likud Party, insisted today that the settlement freeze announced by the government wasn’t really a freeze at all, and that the settlements would continue to be expanded during the 10 month period.
“Over the next 10 months the population of 300,000 will grow by at least 10,000 residents,” Begin insisted, adding “we don’t intend to restrict or suspend new building permits.”
When Israel announced the freeze in the last week of November, it was presented as a limited freeze on new construction permits. Almost immediately after the freeze was announced, the government approved 28 new construction projects that weren’t covered by the ban.
Then, as if to underscore how little meaning the settlement had, the government announced new construction projects that were supposed to have been covered by the freeze would be approved anyhow.
Despite the fact that the freeze is essentially meaningless, settlers have reacted with outrage, today attacking a mosque and burning copies of the Qu’ran in Yasuf village. So far, Israeli police have not arrested anyone over the attacks, but they did manage to smash into a Palestinian teacher’s home in the middle to the night and arrest him for protesting against a barrier being built through his village.
Enough is enough! When will U.S. presidents realize that they cannot order Israel what to do. Yale graduade Alfred E. Neumann Bush tried to lean on Israel and was promptly put in his place by Sharon. And his empty headed Sec of State Rice was publicly embarrassed by Israel's PM. Now our so smart Harvard grad president Obama has been even more publicly and resoundingly forced by PM "Bibi" to eat his words. Plus Obama was forced to shine Bibi's shoes while the cameras rolled.
When will these turkeys (U.S. presidents) realize that the people of Israel are God's chosen people! So far, Israel is satisfied with moving its capitol to Jerusalem, but eventually, with God's blessing and all-powerful support the Israeli capital will move to Washington and God's chosen people will rule the world as God intends.
And they should rule! Sheez I have never seen such cowards and wusses in my life. The pres of the U.S. runs errands for PM of Israel. I think Bibi will make Obama kiss his buttocks in Times Square.