When Israel agreed to Palestinian detainee releases in return for a one-off expansion of settlements, they split the releases into several stages, and each time have followed up with another expansion. The next releases are scheduled for December 29.
The US has been paying close enough attention to the story so far to know what’s coming next, and is trying to get out in front of that, warning Israel against announcing any new settlement construction and attributing it to the releases.
Nominally, Israel says the expansions are necessary to keep far-right coalition members, many of whom are opposed to Palestinian statehood in general, from revolting and killing the talks. In practice, Israel has been expanding often on virtually any pretext, most recently to spite the US for making a deal with Iran.
The US “warning” to Israel and demands to Palestinians to accept a series of demands from Israel both reflect talks that are on the brink of collapse, and a US determination to see them continue, if only for appearances’ sake.
Why should the US care if these pseudo talks continue or not?
It looks good on USG "officials'" resumes…you know, history book stuff.
"Warning?" Sound like begging to me.
And, begging will get the USG nowhere. It's time to quit begging and start demanding. Tell Bibi Boo-Boo in no uncertain terms that, unless the settlement expansion ends, there will be NO further welfare aid for Israel.
All the Palestinians have to do is go to the UN." America"policy forget it being run by the jewish settlers on occupied Palestinian land lest we forget its policy on SAfrica and Nelson Mandella.
Of course they'll announce more settlements. They always have. Saying this just makes it more humiliating for us when we back down again, as we will.
It is nt what USG is saying, is what USG and EU governments are going to do about it.
It is nt what USG is saying, is what USG and EU governments are going to do about it.
As if Israel is going to heed anything that the US is asking her to do!
so the us wants israel to stop announcing new settlements….big deal.
a novel idea: how about telling israel to stop building these 'facts on the ground', stop the illegal wholesale transfer of population to the occupied territories, while oppressing and compressing the palestinian population? And while they are at it, why don't they back up their calls by cutting off the aid/money tap to israel? Hitting them in the pocket may focus their minds more and better attune their ears to the US piper [ or is it a tail?]….if no satisfactory response enact blistering sanctions which the us is otherwsie so quick to apply to regimes it does not like.
so the us wants israel to stop announcing new settlements….big deal.
a novel idea: how about telling israel to stop building these 'facts on the ground', stop the illegal wholesale transfer of population to the occupied territories, while oppressing and compressing the palestinian population? And while they are at it, why don't they back up their calls by cutting off the aid/money tap to israel? Hitting them in the pocket may focus their minds more and better attune their ears to the US piper [ or is it a tail?]….if no satisfactory response enact blistering sanctions which the us is otherwsie so quick to apply to regimes it does not like.
Cut off all donation$ to the Zionists. Tell them to have a bake sale. They are spoiled BRATS.
"Nominally, Israel says the expansions are necessary…"
Who cares why Israel says its ethnic cleansing is necessary? Why do people report this? Do we care why white supremacists think wiping out black people is necessary?
The whole world – every authoritative body there is, as well as public opinion – agrees that Israel must cease all activity in and against Gaza, West Bank, and East Jerusalem. End of story.
The world is just waiting on the US to stop blocking democracy from being implemented, so the suffering has a chance of being brought to an end.
The USA could do this right away. But the US government is not exactly known as being a human rights organization.
Throughout the world, on any given day, a man, woman, or child is likely to be displaced, tortured, killed or "disappeared", at the hands of governments or armed political groups. More often than not, the United States shares the blame. – Amnesty International
You all need to write your congressmen – not this comment section.