JERUSALEM — New details emerged Sunday about Israeli plans to expand Jewish settler enclaves, as Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak prepared to head to Washington this week to ease friction with the Obama administration over settlement construction.
The Yediot Ahronot newspaper reported that Barak will propose freezing new construction for three months while allowing the completion of late-stage projects. Barak, who leaves for Washington today, later released a statement saying that proposal had not been finalized.
The Obama administration has delivered an unequivocal message on settlement construction: It must stop, without exception, because the U.S. feels it hurts Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking and Obama’s efforts to mend fences with the Arab world.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu postponed his own meeting with Washington’s top Mideast envoy last week to give his emissaries more time to try to bridge the gaps. Netanyahu recently yielded to U.S. pressure to endorse Palestinian statehood, albeit with tough conditions, but he has stood firm on resisting a settlement freeze.
by the associated press
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Showing posts with label Israeli. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Israeli. Show all posts
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Israel deflects ask for settlement freeze
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel deflected growing international demands for a settlement freeze Saturday, saying the issue should be dealt with in future peace talks with the Palestinians.
On Friday, the Quartet of Mideast mediators and foreign ministers from the Group of Eight industrialized nations, meeting in Italy, called for a halt in construction. They rallied behind President Barack Obama, who seeks a freeze but has encountered Israeli resistance.
Israel argues that it should be allowed to keep building to accommodate "natural growth" in settlements, built on lands the Palestinians want for a future state. The Palestinians won't resume peace talks with Israel without a freeze, saying the ongoing building pre-empts the outcome of negotiations. Under the U.S.-backed "road map" plan, Israel is required to halt construction.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said Saturday that settlements should be left to future negotiations. "The best way to solve this problem is to resume at once bilateral Israeli-Palestinian talks," Palmor said.
Israeli officials say they are trying to find a formula agreeable to Washington that would allow at least limited construction.
Palestinian officials say such a compromise would undermine U.S. credibility.
"The stalemate with Israel will continue if settlement growth does not stop," said Nabil Abu Rdeneh, an aide to Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Meanwhile, rival Palestinian factions — Abbas' Fatah and the Islamic militant Hamas — launched another attempt to reconcile. Hamas overran Gaza two years ago, ousting forces loyal to Abbas, who has since only controlled the West Bank.
Reconciliation is seen as key to ending a two-year blockade of Gaza's borders, enforced by Israel and Egypt, and to reaching a Mideast peace deal.
Hamas and Fatah negotiators were on route to Cairo on Saturday, with the Egyptian-brokered talks to begin Sunday.
Also Saturday, Egypt briefly opened its border with Gaza. Some 5,000 Gazans signed up to leave over the next three days. Most of those trying to leave were medical patients seeking treatment abroad and Gazans holding foreign residency.
The closure has trapped some 1.4 million people in Gaza.
Egypt opens the crossing periodically. Israel allows in food and humanitarian aid, but won't allow raw materials that the Gaza Strip needs to repair damage from Israel's winter war on Hamas, meant to stop militant rocket fire on Israeli towns.
by the associated press
On Friday, the Quartet of Mideast mediators and foreign ministers from the Group of Eight industrialized nations, meeting in Italy, called for a halt in construction. They rallied behind President Barack Obama, who seeks a freeze but has encountered Israeli resistance.
Israel argues that it should be allowed to keep building to accommodate "natural growth" in settlements, built on lands the Palestinians want for a future state. The Palestinians won't resume peace talks with Israel without a freeze, saying the ongoing building pre-empts the outcome of negotiations. Under the U.S.-backed "road map" plan, Israel is required to halt construction.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said Saturday that settlements should be left to future negotiations. "The best way to solve this problem is to resume at once bilateral Israeli-Palestinian talks," Palmor said.
Israeli officials say they are trying to find a formula agreeable to Washington that would allow at least limited construction.
Palestinian officials say such a compromise would undermine U.S. credibility.
"The stalemate with Israel will continue if settlement growth does not stop," said Nabil Abu Rdeneh, an aide to Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Meanwhile, rival Palestinian factions — Abbas' Fatah and the Islamic militant Hamas — launched another attempt to reconcile. Hamas overran Gaza two years ago, ousting forces loyal to Abbas, who has since only controlled the West Bank.
Reconciliation is seen as key to ending a two-year blockade of Gaza's borders, enforced by Israel and Egypt, and to reaching a Mideast peace deal.
Hamas and Fatah negotiators were on route to Cairo on Saturday, with the Egyptian-brokered talks to begin Sunday.
Also Saturday, Egypt briefly opened its border with Gaza. Some 5,000 Gazans signed up to leave over the next three days. Most of those trying to leave were medical patients seeking treatment abroad and Gazans holding foreign residency.
The closure has trapped some 1.4 million people in Gaza.
Egypt opens the crossing periodically. Israel allows in food and humanitarian aid, but won't allow raw materials that the Gaza Strip needs to repair damage from Israel's winter war on Hamas, meant to stop militant rocket fire on Israeli towns.
by the associated press
Monday, June 15, 2009
Palestinians dismiss Israeli new stance
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed a Palestinian state for the first time Sunday, reversing himself in the face of U.S. pressure but attaching conditions like demilitarization that the Palestinians swiftly rejected.
A week after President Barack Obama’s address to the Muslim world, Netanyahu said the Palestinian state would have to be unarmed and recognize Israel as the Jewish state — a condition amounting to Palestinians giving up the goal of returning to Israel.
The West Bank-based Palestinian government dismissed the proposal as an attempt to determine the outcome of negotiations while maintaining Israeli settlements, refusing compromise over Jerusalem and ignoring the issue of borders. They also said that demilitarization would solidify Israeli control over them.
Netanyahu, in an address seen as his response to Obama, refused to heed the U.S. call for an immediate freeze of construction on lands Palestinians claim for their future state. He also said Jerusalem must remain under Israeli sovereignty.
"Netanyahu’s speech closed the door to permanent status negotiations,” senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said. "We ask the world not to be fooled by his use of the term ‘Palestinian state’ because he qualified it.”
The Palestinians demand all of the West Bank as part of a future state, with east Jerusalem as their capital. Israel captured both areas in the 1967 Mideast war.
by the associated press
A week after President Barack Obama’s address to the Muslim world, Netanyahu said the Palestinian state would have to be unarmed and recognize Israel as the Jewish state — a condition amounting to Palestinians giving up the goal of returning to Israel.
The West Bank-based Palestinian government dismissed the proposal as an attempt to determine the outcome of negotiations while maintaining Israeli settlements, refusing compromise over Jerusalem and ignoring the issue of borders. They also said that demilitarization would solidify Israeli control over them.
Netanyahu, in an address seen as his response to Obama, refused to heed the U.S. call for an immediate freeze of construction on lands Palestinians claim for their future state. He also said Jerusalem must remain under Israeli sovereignty.
"Netanyahu’s speech closed the door to permanent status negotiations,” senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said. "We ask the world not to be fooled by his use of the term ‘Palestinian state’ because he qualified it.”
The Palestinians demand all of the West Bank as part of a future state, with east Jerusalem as their capital. Israel captured both areas in the 1967 Mideast war.
by the associated press
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
U.S. envoy working to fix Israeli rift
JERUSALEM — An American envoy sought to assure anxious Israeli leaders on Tuesday that U.S. support for the Jewish state remains firm.
George Mitchell’s comments appeared aimed at tempering a public disagreement with the new Israeli government.
The Mideast envoy’s latest visit comes after Obama’s speech to the Muslim world last week.
Obama promised to work to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Mitchell said the U.S. commitment to Israeli security is "unshakable,” adding, "We come here to talk not as adversaries and in disagreement, but as friends in discussion.”
by the associated press
George Mitchell’s comments appeared aimed at tempering a public disagreement with the new Israeli government.
The Mideast envoy’s latest visit comes after Obama’s speech to the Muslim world last week.
Obama promised to work to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Mitchell said the U.S. commitment to Israeli security is "unshakable,” adding, "We come here to talk not as adversaries and in disagreement, but as friends in discussion.”
by the associated press
Monday, June 1, 2009
Israel turns-down loyalty proposal
JERUSALEM — The Israeli government on Sunday threw out a proposal aimed at minority Arabs to require an oath of loyalty to Israel as a Jewish state or risk losing their citizenship, dealing a blow to the country’s ultranationalist foreign minister, who spearheaded the proposal.
Avigdor Lieberman made the proposal a central plank of his campaign last February. The message helped propel his Yisrael Beitenu Party to a strong third place finish in the parliamentary vote.
Approval of the bill could have been embarrassing at a time when Israel is under U.S. pressure to make conciliatory moves toward the Palestinians and renew peace efforts with the broader Arab and Muslim world.
by the associated press
Avigdor Lieberman made the proposal a central plank of his campaign last February. The message helped propel his Yisrael Beitenu Party to a strong third place finish in the parliamentary vote.
Approval of the bill could have been embarrassing at a time when Israel is under U.S. pressure to make conciliatory moves toward the Palestinians and renew peace efforts with the broader Arab and Muslim world.
by the associated press
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Jerusalem looking for ties with Arabs
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday urged Arab countries to make immediate moves toward normalizing ties with Israel and said he would offer "concrete” steps toward peace with the Palestinians.
Netanyahu made the plea during a debate in parliament that came as he tries to balance international pressure to make concessions to the Palestinians with internal calls from within his hardline coalition not to budge.
"We are prepared to make, and we will make, concrete steps for peace with the Palestinians,” he said. "We expect the Palestinians to make such concrete steps as well. And it would be good if Arab countries joined the peace effort and made concrete and symbolic steps toward normalization with Israel,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu made the plea during a debate in parliament that came as he tries to balance international pressure to make concessions to the Palestinians with internal calls from within his hardline coalition not to budge.
"We are prepared to make, and we will make, concrete steps for peace with the Palestinians,” he said. "We expect the Palestinians to make such concrete steps as well. And it would be good if Arab countries joined the peace effort and made concrete and symbolic steps toward normalization with Israel,” Netanyahu said.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Israel won’t stop housing project
JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel will continue to build homes in existing West Bank settlements, defying U.S. calls to halt settlement growth.
The comments came days after a contentious visit to the White House and threatened to widen a growing rift with the Obama administration. The U.S. considers the settlements — home to some 280,000 Israelis — obstacles to peace since they are built on captured territory the Palestinians claim for a future state.
Netanyahu said he would not allow any new settlements to be created, but said existing settlements must be allowed to expand for "natural growth,” the term Israel uses for population growth in the settlements.
Netanyahu has voiced this policy before, but his affirmation of his plans took on added significance coming so close after his tense first White House visit with President Barack Obama. U.S. policy on Israeli settlements does not allow for natural growth.
Israeli officials have sought to play down their differences with Washington, saying that groups will continue discussions on the matter.
Netanyahu spoke after a heated Cabinet debate over what to do with settlement outposts and wildcat communities established by settlers.
Israel has sanctioned the construction of 121 settlements over the years. In addition, settlers have put up an estimated 100 outposts since the early 1990s.
by the associated press
The comments came days after a contentious visit to the White House and threatened to widen a growing rift with the Obama administration. The U.S. considers the settlements — home to some 280,000 Israelis — obstacles to peace since they are built on captured territory the Palestinians claim for a future state.
Netanyahu said he would not allow any new settlements to be created, but said existing settlements must be allowed to expand for "natural growth,” the term Israel uses for population growth in the settlements.
Netanyahu has voiced this policy before, but his affirmation of his plans took on added significance coming so close after his tense first White House visit with President Barack Obama. U.S. policy on Israeli settlements does not allow for natural growth.
Israeli officials have sought to play down their differences with Washington, saying that groups will continue discussions on the matter.
Netanyahu spoke after a heated Cabinet debate over what to do with settlement outposts and wildcat communities established by settlers.
Israel has sanctioned the construction of 121 settlements over the years. In addition, settlers have put up an estimated 100 outposts since the early 1990s.
by the associated press
Monday, May 18, 2009
Obama hosts Israeli premier
WASHINGTON — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads into his first visit with President Barack Obama worried by U.S. overtures to Iran and Syria and under pressure to support a Palestinian state.
The two leaders, set to meet today at the White House, bring diverging policies on how to approach all these issues. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs downplayed suggestions that the meeting might be "contentious,” but acknowledged that "the solutions aren’t going to be easy.”
The Obama administration is trying to promote dialogue with Iran and Syria, Israel’s arch foes, officials said.
Israel fears such efforts could lead to greater tolerance for Iran’s nuclear ambitions, according to officials.
Israel’s president, Shimon Peres, said Sunday in Jordan that he believes Netanyahu would abide by agreements signed by his predecessors, including the U.S.-backed Mideast peace plan.
The two leaders, set to meet today at the White House, bring diverging policies on how to approach all these issues. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs downplayed suggestions that the meeting might be "contentious,” but acknowledged that "the solutions aren’t going to be easy.”
The Obama administration is trying to promote dialogue with Iran and Syria, Israel’s arch foes, officials said.
Israel fears such efforts could lead to greater tolerance for Iran’s nuclear ambitions, according to officials.
Israel’s president, Shimon Peres, said Sunday in Jordan that he believes Netanyahu would abide by agreements signed by his predecessors, including the U.S.-backed Mideast peace plan.
by the associated press
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Israelis might be ready to back two-state deal
JERUSALEM — On the eve of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s crucial visit to Washington, his defense minister suggested Saturday the Israeli leader might be ready to endorse a Palestinian state when he meets President Barack Obama on Monday.
That would be a significant shift for Netanyahu, who has made clear in the past that he does not think the Palestinians are ready to rule themselves. But that position has put him at odds with long-standing U.S. policy that supports Palestinian statehood as the cornerstone of Mideast peace efforts.
And if the Israeli leader does endorse a Palestinian state, experts say he will almost certainly want something in return from Obama — a tougher line on reining in Iran.
It also won’t be easy for his hawkish government to make the leap to sweeping concessions such as freezing Jewish settlement in the West Bank and sharing the holy city of Jerusalem.
by the associated press
That would be a significant shift for Netanyahu, who has made clear in the past that he does not think the Palestinians are ready to rule themselves. But that position has put him at odds with long-standing U.S. policy that supports Palestinian statehood as the cornerstone of Mideast peace efforts.
And if the Israeli leader does endorse a Palestinian state, experts say he will almost certainly want something in return from Obama — a tougher line on reining in Iran.
It also won’t be easy for his hawkish government to make the leap to sweeping concessions such as freezing Jewish settlement in the West Bank and sharing the holy city of Jerusalem.
by the associated press
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Israel says Palestinians stage for Pontiff , is a security risk
AIDA REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank — Palestinians in a refugee camp near Bethlehem want to receive Pope Benedict XVI in what they say is the most fitting setting — next to the towering cement wall that is part of Israel’s West Bank barrier and borders the camp on two sides.
They are building an outdoor theater next to the wall for the pope’s visit to Aida camp May 13. They say they chose the spot to highlight life under Israeli military occupation.
However, the Israeli government has ordered the construction to stop, saying camp organizers lack the necessary permits and that the theater’s proximity to the wall poses a security risk.
Israel started building the separation barrier in the West Bank in 2002, portraying it as a defense against Palestinian gunmen and suicide bombers. Palestinians have denounced it as a land grab.
The pope is touring the Holy Land from May 8-15, and will visit Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem, key locations in Jesus’ life.
by the associated press
They are building an outdoor theater next to the wall for the pope’s visit to Aida camp May 13. They say they chose the spot to highlight life under Israeli military occupation.
However, the Israeli government has ordered the construction to stop, saying camp organizers lack the necessary permits and that the theater’s proximity to the wall poses a security risk.
Israel started building the separation barrier in the West Bank in 2002, portraying it as a defense against Palestinian gunmen and suicide bombers. Palestinians have denounced it as a land grab.
The pope is touring the Holy Land from May 8-15, and will visit Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem, key locations in Jesus’ life.
by the associated press
Groups want Israelis to stop settlements
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Israel’s previous government built or issued bids for some 9,000 homes for Israelis in Jerusalem and the West Bank, despite its promise to pursue a peace deal with the Palestinians, settlement monitors said Monday, summarizing Ehud Olmert’s three years as prime minister.
The Israeli watchdog groups Peace Now and Ir Amim urged President Barack Obama to step in quickly and pressure Israel’s new prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to halt further settlement expansion, particularly in the areas of Jerusalem the Palestinians want for their future capital.
"The more time the international community and the Obama administration will require to generate a political process, the more adamant they need to be to save Israel from itself, because we are losing the two-state solution,” said Daniel Seidemann of Ir Amim, a group that promotes coexistence in Jerusalem.
Netanyahu supports continued construction in settlements, opposes a division of Jerusalem and has not accepted the notion of a Palestinian state. His positions could lead to growing friction with the international community, though he has said he is reviewing policy.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas insisted Monday that a settlement freeze is a prerequisite for resuming peace talks.
by the associated press
The Israeli watchdog groups Peace Now and Ir Amim urged President Barack Obama to step in quickly and pressure Israel’s new prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to halt further settlement expansion, particularly in the areas of Jerusalem the Palestinians want for their future capital.
"The more time the international community and the Obama administration will require to generate a political process, the more adamant they need to be to save Israel from itself, because we are losing the two-state solution,” said Daniel Seidemann of Ir Amim, a group that promotes coexistence in Jerusalem.
Netanyahu supports continued construction in settlements, opposes a division of Jerusalem and has not accepted the notion of a Palestinian state. His positions could lead to growing friction with the international community, though he has said he is reviewing policy.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas insisted Monday that a settlement freeze is a prerequisite for resuming peace talks.
by the associated press
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Actvists question the war on Gaza
JERUSALEM — Human rights activists, some charging whitewash, demanded an independent war crimes investigation after Israel’s military on Wednesday cleared itself of wrongdoing over civilian deaths in the Gaza war.
At least 1,100 people in Gaza were killed during the three-week offensive against Hamas that ended Jan. 18, according to counts by both sides. Israel insisted a majority of the war dead were militants, while the Palestinians said most were civilians.
The U.N. has appointed former war crimes prosecutor Richard Goldstone to lead an investigation. Israel says it’s very unlikely it will cooperate, alleging the U.N. agency is biased. Hamas, Gaza’s sole ruler since a violent takeover in 2007, said it would work with the investigator.
If Israel has nothing to hide, it should cooperate with Goldstone, a coalition of Israeli human rights groups and the New York-based Human Rights Watch said Wednesday.
At least 1,100 people in Gaza were killed during the three-week offensive against Hamas that ended Jan. 18, according to counts by both sides. Israel insisted a majority of the war dead were militants, while the Palestinians said most were civilians.
The U.N. has appointed former war crimes prosecutor Richard Goldstone to lead an investigation. Israel says it’s very unlikely it will cooperate, alleging the U.N. agency is biased. Hamas, Gaza’s sole ruler since a violent takeover in 2007, said it would work with the investigator.
If Israel has nothing to hide, it should cooperate with Goldstone, a coalition of Israeli human rights groups and the New York-based Human Rights Watch said Wednesday.
by the associated press
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Two State Solution
RAMALLAH, West Bank — A Palestinian state alongside Israel is the only way to end the Mideast conflict, President Barack Obama’s Mideast envoy said Friday, sending a stern message to Israel’s hardline leaders, who have expressed misgivings about a two-state solution.
Envoy George Mitchell suggested the U.S. was eager to see progress after years of failed efforts.
It was Mitchell’s first trip to the region since Israeli hardline leader Benjamin Netanyahu took office as prime minister. Obama has not yet spelled out his Mideast policy in detail, and Israelis and Palestinians have been watching closely for a possible shift in U.S. positions.
Mitchell later traveled to Cairo where he met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit. He said the U.S. was committed to "comprehensive peace” in the Middle East.
by the associated press
Envoy George Mitchell suggested the U.S. was eager to see progress after years of failed efforts.
It was Mitchell’s first trip to the region since Israeli hardline leader Benjamin Netanyahu took office as prime minister. Obama has not yet spelled out his Mideast policy in detail, and Israelis and Palestinians have been watching closely for a possible shift in U.S. positions.
Mitchell later traveled to Cairo where he met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit. He said the U.S. was committed to "comprehensive peace” in the Middle East.
by the associated press
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Israelis Rally Against New Leader
Israelis demonstrators hold banners reading " Peace Now " in Hebrew durning a protest Tuesday against the New Israeli government near the Knesset ,
Israel's parliament , in Jerusalem .
Benjamin Netanyah's government took power Tuesday after a hard fought election and weeks of furious coalition negotiations.
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