Posted on 03/09/2010 8:14:04 PM PST by bruinbirdman
Israel approved the construction of 1,600 new settler homes in east Jerusalem yesterday in an embarrassing setback for Joe Biden, the US vice-president, who had spent the day meeting Israeli officials to boost renewed peace efforts.
The controversial move was certain to anger Palestinians, who consider settlements a major hurdle in attempts to reach a peace accord, and who want occupied east Jerusalem as the capital of their promised state.
Mr Biden, the highest-ranking US official to visit Israel and the West Bank since President Barack Obama took office a year ago, condemned the plan to build houses in the Ramat Shlomo settlement.
“The substance and timing of the announcement, particularly with the launching of proximity talks, is precisely the kind of step that undermines the trust we need right now,” Mr Biden said. Relations between Israel and Washington have been chilly because of the settlement issue, and one of Mr Biden’s main goals in the trip had been to try to patch up ties.
Earlier in the day, Mr Biden pledged Washington's determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and demanded that Tehran stop supporting "terrorist groups," which he said threaten Israel as well as US interests.
"There is no space between the United States and Israel when it comes to Israel's security," he said. "We're determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and we're working with many countries around the world to convince Tehran to meet its international obligations and cease and desist."
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Oh hello mister dagger, how did you get in my back? /s
Stand Up, Bibi!! Way to go.
A poke in smiling Joe’s eye.
Israeli Government Press Director Daniel Seamen reacted to this Obama administration statement by saying: “I have to admire the residents of Iroquois territory for assuming that they have a right to determine where Jews should live in Jerusalem.”
human history is more than just the last couple hundred years.
After hearing from bin Biden that Hussein Obama was unhappy with that news, Bibi Netanyahu announced he will see Barack al-Hussein bin Obama those 112 and raise him 1600 new Jewish homes.
yitbos
“...is precisely the kind of step that undermines the trust we need right now...”
Hey Joe!
You may have planned on trusting them, but they’re not stupid enough to trust you!
These are homeowners building on their own property.
Too few.
I wish some one would kick Peres out of office. He is a real slimeball of a snake.
One of those homes should be for Biden.
It’s their land. The Owner gave it to them.
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