Obama's Jerusalem Stonewall

Wall St Journal ^ | 4-28-10

[SJackson]

Demanding a construction freeze in the capital reverses decades of U.S. policy

Thanks to a deadlock engineered by the U.S. government, the Middle East peace process is stalled. President Obama began this stalemate last year when he called for a settlement freeze, and he escalates it now with a major change of American policy regarding Jerusalem.

The president seeks to prohibit Israel from any construction in its capital, in particular in a Jewish suburb of East Jerusalem called Ramat Shlomo. This, despite the fact that all former administrations have unequivocally understood that the area in question would remain part of Israel under any final peace agreement. Objecting to any building in this East Jerusalem neighborhood is tantamount to getting the Israelis to agree to the division of Jerusalem before final status talks with the Palestinians even begin.

From the start of his presidency, Mr. Obama has undermined Israel's confidence in U.S. support. He uses the same term—"settlements"—to describe massive neighborhoods that are home to tens of thousands of Jews and illegal outposts of a few families. His ambiguous use of this loaded word raises the question for Israelis about whether this administration really understands the issue.

It certainly sends signals to the Palestinians. The Palestinian Authority followed the president's lead and refused to proceed with planned talks until Israel stops all so-called settlement activities, including in East Jerusalem.

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

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[Uri’el-2012]

0bama is channeling the Evil One.

[Piranha]

Zuckerman appropriately notes the misuse of the word “settlements” for big cities that are 30 or more years old and have of tens of thousand of inhabitants as well as for a few trailers (called “caravans” in Israel) deployed on a barren hilltop (I think both should be encouraged, but that is another issue).

Yet his article calls Ramat Shlomo a “suburb”, although it is part of Jerusalem, within its city limits, and he uses the obsolete term “East Jerusalem” which referred to that portion of Jerusalem seized by Jordan in 1948 and held for 19 years, from then until 1967. Never before that 19-year period was the term “East Jerusalem” used, and never after it did it hold any legal significance.

[EternalVigilance]

Some liberals are even getting it, sorta.

[EternalVigilance]

Great observations.

The blinders may be askew, but they’re still on his head.

[SJackson]

Yet his article calls Ramat Shlomo a “suburb”, although it is part of Jerusalem, within its city limits, and he uses the obsolete term “East Jerusalem” which referred to that portion of Jerusalem seized by Jordan in 1948 and held for 19 years...

And even during those 19 years, was not under Jordanian control. It was empty no mans land.

[SJackson]

Liberal Republican, but even for Dem liberals, this is only one issue of many. But it may change some minds. Not only amongst Jews.

[VideoDoctor]

When this situation finally erupts then there will be concern.

[quadrant]

Ignore Obama, at least as much as possible. Call his bluff, if necessary. The man is weak; in the parlance of horse racing, he has no bottom. He'll cave.
Israel should proceed, cautiously, but proceed. The notion of surrendering any part of Jerusalem is abhorrent and absurd.