U.S. asks Israel for one-year settlement freeze

[subsuelo]

Source: Haaretz

American Middle East envoy George Mitchell has asked Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak for a "deposit," an advance commitment of a one-year freeze on construction in West Bank settlements.

Mitchell raised the idea in his talks with Netanyahu and Barak in Israel last week. He argued that the Arab states will not make gestures toward normalization with Israel without a guarantee of an end to building in the settlements. Mitchell said an Israeli agreement to temporarily freeze construction would facilitate concessions from the Arab states.

A senior source in Jerusalem noted that while Netanyahu and Barak did not reject the request, they disagree with the Americans over some of the details.
Mitchell asked for a construction freeze of at least a year, but Israel has agreed to suspend building on the settlements for six months, at most.

The Americans have not yet said clearly what will happen at the end of the freeze period. Israel wants a U.S. commitment to reach new understandings with Jerusalem over future developments that would be similar to those between former president George W. Bush and former prime minister Ehud Olmert.

Read more: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1105653.html

[annabanana]

1. Jeez.. You'd think we have no leverage at all.

You'd think.

[Chemisse]

2. We shouldn't have to ask, just cut off cash flow. n/t

[Frank Booth]

3. Talk about a moving target. Just a few months ago we were asking for a complete stop to settlements.

Of course, Nut-n-yahoo just ignored us and we did nothing. Now we're begging for a one year "deposit," and they're ignoring us on that as well.

If I had known that Obama was such a wuss I wouldn't have donated to him or supported him in the primaries.

[Wizard777]

4. These should choose their words more carefully. Israel will cut off all heat to Gaza.

Keep right on building of course.

[harmonicon]

5. oooh.... a REQUEST for a "settlement" FREEZE

That's some strong shit there. Next they won't get any chocolate sprinkles on their free sundaes unless they pipe down and quit using a potty mouth. These supposed "settlements" are nothing but imperialist occupation and are a violation of international law. I think going in and wiping them out would be a good first step in starting negotiations - probably would be a lot more effective than stern request to "stop doing so much international law breaking and stuff".

[The abyss]

6. If they “officially” refuse…

The US government will use “harsh language”!

Really, as stated by Chemisse, we just need to stop sending our tax dollars.

I’m pretty sure there are some bridges that need rebuilt around here…somewhere. Maybe a health care program or two could be funded? But then again we do have that little occupation military thingie going down in those other middle eastern countries.

Wow – decisions decisions.

[Chulanowa]

7. We intervened between the Serbs and Bosnians.

Did we sniffle and ask Milosevic to stop being such a bastard? Even for just a year?