Why Obama opposes construction in eastern Jerusalem http://blogs.jta.org/ENTRY_PERMALINK_HERE/why-obama-opposed-construction-in-eastern-jerusalem/ Why is the Obama administration against Jews living in eastern Jerusalem? asks columnist Jeff Jacoby in the Boston Globe:  en-us uheilman@jta.org Copyright 2009 2009-07-23T;19:02:00-05:00 Comment by Alex Golan 74rivka@msn.com Ari, before chiding me about historical ignorance, go and check the facts! When Hitler expanded his grip over Europe and some 9 million Jews fell under his rule, the British under the leadership of, among others, Anthony Eden issued their infamous White Papers in 1938/39 which closed Mandate Palestine for Jewish immigration. This effectively condemned the European Jews to a death trap where 6 million perished. In my book, the British and, to a lesser degree, the FDR administration with its anti-Jewish immigration policy should be viewed as unindicted co-conspirators to the Nazis. This evolution marked the beginning of the illegal immigration ships, Aliyah Bet, and the armed struggle against Britain. Read “The Abandonment of the Jews” by David Wyman - ignorance can be remedied by literacy. Ari, before chiding me about historical ignorance, go and check the facts! When Hitler expanded his grip over Europe and some 9 million Jews fell under his rule, the British under the leadership of, among others, Anthony Eden issued their infamous White Papers in 1938/39 which closed Mandate Palestine for Jewish immigration. This effectively condemned the European Jews to a death trap where 6 million perished. In my book, the British and, to a lesser degree, the FDR administration with its anti-Jewish immigration policy should be viewed as unindicted co-conspirators to the Nazis. This evolution marked the beginning of the illegal immigration ships, Aliyah Bet, and the armed struggle against Britain.
Read “The Abandonment of the Jews” by David Wyman - ignorance can be remedied by literacy.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by Ari H marty_jar@hotmail.co.uk Alex Golan - your position is extremely one-sided to the point of historical revisionism. I have no idea how you’ve linked the actions of Jews in Eretz Israel prior to WWII to the outcome of the holocaust, but I find that massively distasteful and disrespectful to their memory. “Those who fought against the Nazis and their British henchmen (i.e. Anthony Eden etc.)” again shows a truly massive lack of basic knowledge of history - which I wouldn’t mind were it not for the fact that your post was about chiding somebody else for not knowing their history! I can only assume you mean Chamberlain, but even then your representation of the situation is massively historically inaccurate. If you were talking of ‘Nazi henchmen’ it would be the Axis powers...I would suggest your representation of this period of history is based on who you want to attack, rather than what actually happened. Finally the position of “if they want peace why didn’t they accept what we offered them” is clearly an extremely weak argument trotted out by both sides...why didn’t we accept any deals offered? BECAUSE THEY WEREN’T SATISFACTORY TO US! This is a particularly glaring case of partisanship coming ahead of the actualite of the situation. Alex Golan - your position is extremely one-sided to the point of historical revisionism.

I have no idea how you’ve linked the actions of Jews in Eretz Israel prior to WWII to the outcome of the holocaust, but I find that massively distasteful and disrespectful to their memory.

“Those who fought against the Nazis and their British henchmen (i.e. Anthony Eden etc.)” again shows a truly massive lack of basic knowledge of history - which I wouldn’t mind were it not for the fact that your post was about chiding somebody else for not knowing their history!

I can only assume you mean Chamberlain, but even then your representation of the situation is massively historically inaccurate. If you were talking of ‘Nazi henchmen’ it would be the Axis powers...I would suggest your representation of this period of history is based on who you want to attack, rather than what actually happened.

Finally the position of “if they want peace why didn’t they accept what we offered them” is clearly an extremely weak argument trotted out by both sides...why didn’t we accept any deals offered? BECAUSE THEY WEREN’T SATISFACTORY TO US!

This is a particularly glaring case of partisanship coming ahead of the actualite of the situation.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by Ari H marty_jar@hotmail.co.uk Hillel - I agree completely...ideally that would have been the best possible outcome for all involved, and the security of the city of Jerusalem. However, all chances of such an agreement have I think declined...no political leaders on any side would have the political capital (or the bravery) to agree to such a deal now. Hillel - I agree completely...ideally that would have been the best possible outcome for all involved, and the security of the city of Jerusalem. However, all chances of such an agreement have I think declined...no political leaders on any side would have the political capital (or the bravery) to agree to such a deal now.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by Ari H marty_jar@hotmail.co.uk The claim that it’s about RELIGION rather than SOVEREIGNTY is one of the more deceitful narratives in the press at the moments, and is designed to muddy the waters on the issue of disputed territories. Jeff Jacoby (and others) clearly know that this is not the case - it’s one of the more blatant and shameful cases of outright deceit and manipulation. What’s frightening is that there’s a minority of people who lack the intelligence to see the difference between THEIR OPINION being that Jerusalem should be united, and Jerusalem NOT BEING DISPUTED TERRITORY. The claim that it’s about RELIGION rather than SOVEREIGNTY is one of the more deceitful narratives in the press at the moments, and is designed to muddy the waters on the issue of disputed territories.

Jeff Jacoby (and others) clearly know that this is not the case - it’s one of the more blatant and shameful cases of outright deceit and manipulation.

What’s frightening is that there’s a minority of people who lack the intelligence to see the difference between THEIR OPINION being that Jerusalem should be united, and Jerusalem NOT BEING DISPUTED TERRITORY.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by Hillel Schenker hillels2@zahav.net.il Why does Obama oppose Jewish construction in East Jerusalem? Not because he is anti-Semitic, but because he knows that the motivation for the building of the hotel in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood by right-wing casino magnate Irving Moscowitz, and the attempts by the Elad settler group to expand their enclave in the Silwan neighborhood are motivated by a desire to create “facts on the ground” that will prevent a reasonable solution to the future of Jerusalem, and will derail any possiblity for a peace process based upon a two state solution. As a Tel Avivian who spends three days a week in Jerusalem, I personally regret that the original 1947 UN Partition Plan, which called for Jerusalem to be an international city, wasn’t carried out.  It would have prevented a lot of problems that we are dealing with today.  Unfortunately the Israeli and Jordanian governments didn’t allow the UN resolution to be realized. What Obama is trying to do today is to salvage the possibility for a peaceful future for both the Israeli and Palestinian younger generations.  The end goal should be Jerusalem as an open city, with West Jerusalem being the capital of Israel and East Jerusalem being the capital of a future Palestinian state.  Perhaps together with some type of international regime over the Old City, the shared home of three great monotheistic religions. To ensure that solution remains possible, it’s essential that Jewish settlement activity be frozen in East Jerusalem. Obama’s policy is in the best interest of both Israel and America. Why does Obama oppose Jewish construction in East Jerusalem?
Not because he is anti-Semitic, but because he knows that the motivation for the building of the hotel in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood by right-wing casino magnate Irving Moscowitz, and the attempts by the Elad settler group to expand their enclave in the Silwan neighborhood are motivated by a desire to create “facts on the ground” that will prevent a reasonable solution to the future of Jerusalem, and will derail any possiblity for a peace process based upon a two state solution.
As a Tel Avivian who spends three days a week in Jerusalem, I personally regret that the original 1947 UN Partition Plan, which called for Jerusalem to be an international city, wasn’t carried out.  It would have prevented a lot of problems that we are dealing with today.  Unfortunately the Israeli and Jordanian governments didn’t allow the UN resolution to be realized.
What Obama is trying to do today is to salvage the possibility for a peaceful future for both the Israeli and Palestinian younger generations.  The end goal should be Jerusalem as an open city, with West Jerusalem being the capital of Israel and East Jerusalem being the capital of a future Palestinian state.  Perhaps together with some type of international regime over the Old City, the shared home of three great monotheistic religions.
To ensure that solution remains possible, it’s essential that Jewish settlement activity be frozen in East Jerusalem.
Obama’s policy is in the best interest of both Israel and America.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by Norman E. La Cholter blupatroon@verizon.net I notice a lack of civility, adolescent name-calling, and--most importantly and troubling--lashon hara.  Those exhibiting lashon hara drape themselves in the clothes of champions of Israel and Zionism that ill-fit them.  Advocates do not best state their case by insulting others. “Past nicht” referred to actions and activities that were supposed to be beneath Jews who would qualify as “Ohr la Goyim.” Perhaps they who would be defenders of the Jewish People never learned, “ayn boor yirai chayt--” an ignorant person does not fear sinning. Better our energetic name-callers should devote their powers to support those of integrity, compassion and openness within Israel who struggle against dishonesty and immorality among government and religious leaders, and the intolerance of those who riot and wound in the name of sanctifying Ha Shem. I notice a lack of civility, adolescent name-calling, and--most importantly and troubling--lashon hara.  Those exhibiting lashon hara drape themselves in the clothes of champions of Israel and Zionism that ill-fit them.  Advocates do not best state their case by insulting others.

“Past nicht” referred to actions and activities that were supposed to be beneath Jews who would qualify as “Ohr la Goyim.” Perhaps they who would be defenders of the Jewish People never learned, “ayn boor yirai chayt--” an ignorant person does not fear sinning.

Better our energetic name-callers should devote their powers to support those of integrity, compassion and openness within Israel who struggle against dishonesty and immorality among government and religious leaders, and the intolerance of those who riot and wound in the name of sanctifying Ha Shem.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by Howard Cohn fossilh@aol.com To start with Peter you should read the Charters of the PLO, Fatah and Hamas.  A charade was committed many years ago to give the impression the the Palestine National Council removed parts of their charter stating that Israel should cease to exist.  Read the current statements of members of Fatah and Hamas regarding Israel and negotiations with her.  Look at their maps showing Arab Palestine.  Areas in east Jreusalem where Israel wants to allow building for Jews, are owned by Jews or Israelis.  The U.S. and others do not even recognize Jerusalem as being the capital of Israel.  The U.S. does not even accept Birth Certificates of those born in Jerusalem if they state as the place of birth, Jerusalem, Israel.  Israel should tell Obama that he governs the U.S. and not Israel. Peter, you and others should try reading the history of this area from all sources, not just those you agree with. To start with Peter you should read the Charters of the PLO, Fatah and Hamas.  A charade was committed many years ago to give the impression the the Palestine National Council removed parts of their charter stating that Israel should cease to exist.  Read the current statements of members of Fatah and Hamas regarding Israel and negotiations with her.  Look at their maps showing Arab Palestine. 
Areas in east Jreusalem where Israel wants to allow building for Jews, are owned by Jews or Israelis.  The U.S. and others do not even recognize Jerusalem as being the capital of Israel.  The U.S. does not even accept Birth Certificates of those born in Jerusalem if they state as the place of birth, Jerusalem, Israel.  Israel should tell Obama that he governs the U.S. and not Israel.
Peter, you and others should try reading the history of this area from all sources, not just those you agree with.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by Alex Golan 74rivka@msn.com Peter, the attempts for peace with the Arabs began long before the State of Israel existed - even in the 1920’s the Jews in Eretz Israel restrained their responses to Arab pogroms in Jerusalem, Hebron etc. and followed the path of appeasement and acquiescence to the British restrictions on immigration. If you don’t know the results, let me enlighten you - 6 million murdered and no peace. Whether you support my position or not is irrelevant. The only issue that counts is Israel’s survival. For us, whose parents fought against the Nazis and their British henchmen, i.e. Anthony Eden etc., this is the essence of our struggle. Also, please tell me where the “occupied territories” begin and Israel proper, according to your high- minded definition, ends? If you talk about the pre-1967 borders, you might have found out, if you would have informed yourself on the subject, that these were the lines of the armistice, concluded in 1949, and never a mutually recognized border. But, it is always easier to spout pious platitudes than to confront the facts. BTW, if the so-called “Palestinians” were sooo desirous to make peace, why wouldn’t they accept Barak’s infamous offer of retreat from 95% of Yehudah and Shomron in 2000? Why don’t you honor the Arab and Muslim websites with your beatiful proposals and see their “civilized” responses? Peter, the attempts for peace with the Arabs began long before the State of Israel existed - even in the 1920’s the Jews in Eretz Israel restrained their responses to Arab pogroms in Jerusalem, Hebron etc. and followed the path of appeasement and acquiescence to the British restrictions on immigration. If you don’t know the results, let me enlighten you - 6 million murdered and no peace. Whether you support my position or not is irrelevant. The only issue that counts is Israel’s survival. For us, whose parents fought against the Nazis and their British henchmen, i.e. Anthony Eden etc., this is the essence of our struggle. Also, please tell me where the “occupied territories” begin and Israel proper, according to your high- minded definition, ends? If you talk about the pre-1967 borders, you might have found out, if you would have informed yourself on the subject, that these were the lines of the armistice, concluded in 1949, and never a mutually recognized border. But, it is always easier to spout pious platitudes than to confront the facts.
BTW, if the so-called “Palestinians” were sooo desirous to make peace, why wouldn’t they accept Barak’s infamous offer of retreat from 95% of Yehudah and Shomron in 2000? Why don’t you honor the Arab and Muslim websites with your beatiful proposals and see their “civilized” responses?

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by Peter Wedlund peterwedlund@yahoo.com Alex, no peace progress can be made when no one wants to make an effort.  I actually have read about Middle East history and have lived through a good part of it.  You need to get beyond your own rhetoric.  It’s your future not mine.  It won’t change my life if you continue on the present path, nor will it change the reality on the ground.  Blame liberal thinkers, blame Obama however much you like. Chastise him or myself as anti-Semitic because we hold views different from yours if you wish.  No one forces others to listen.  You don’t want peace, you want others to bow to your will, so be it.  I just will not support it, tell my Congressmen to support it or encourage others to support it.  The more I read this type of nonsense by people like you the more convinced I become the US has no business siding with a Jewish state and its culture of Israeli domination over the occupied territories and all people in it. Alex, no peace progress can be made when no one wants to make an effort.  I actually have read about Middle East history and have lived through a good part of it.  You need to get beyond your own rhetoric.  It’s your future not mine.  It won’t change my life if you continue on the present path, nor will it change the reality on the ground. 

Blame liberal thinkers, blame Obama however much you like. Chastise him or myself as anti-Semitic because we hold views different from yours if you wish.  No one forces others to listen.  You don’t want peace, you want others to bow to your will, so be it.  I just will not support it, tell my Congressmen to support it or encourage others to support it.  The more I read this type of nonsense by people like you the more convinced I become the US has no business siding with a Jewish state and its culture of Israeli domination over the occupied territories and all people in it.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by Diana diane.dubey@yahoo.com Let’s not talk around the issue—this article just provides an excuse for Obama’s anti-Semitism and alignment with the Muslim world. Let’s not talk around the issue—this article just provides an excuse for Obama’s anti-Semitism and alignment with the Muslim world.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by Ben K bklein1043@aol.com In any case the issue is can Jews be denied the right to live anywhere just because they are Jews! If Jews can NOT then Arabs should not! Very simple. I also am wondering WHEN will ht erallies in support of Israel and Jerusalem BEGIN. Obama Needs to see US Jews are upset at his repeated public pressures on Israel. He acts as a devoted member of Rev Wrights church and maybe in line with ‘Nation of Islam’ foreign policy thinking as well, for all we know. In any case the issue is can Jews be denied the right to live anywhere just because they are Jews! If Jews can NOT then Arabs should not!
Very simple.
I also am wondering WHEN will ht erallies in support of Israel and Jerusalem BEGIN.
Obama Needs to see US Jews are upset at his repeated public pressures on Israel.
He acts as a devoted member of Rev Wrights church and maybe in line with ‘Nation of Islam’ foreign policy thinking as well, for all we know.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by Sterling Rand bicyclenutmail-jta@yahoo.com To Alex “Contrary to your ignorance, most Arabs left Israel in 1948/49 because their friends from Egypt, Jordan, Syria etc. told them to get out of the way, in order that their mighty armies could slaughter the Jewish dhimmis easier.” Please let me know where this “history” is to be found.  Since there is no documentation that I can find perhaps you can enlighten me. “The obstacle to peace are not the new Jewish towns and villages there but the unrelenting enmity of the Arabs and their neo-Nazi propaganda, which suffuses the life of millions of Muslims from schoolbooks to weekly sermons in the mosques.” Yeah, right. To Alex “Contrary to your ignorance, most Arabs left Israel in 1948/49 because their friends from Egypt, Jordan, Syria etc. told them to get out of the way, in order that their mighty armies could slaughter the Jewish dhimmis easier.” Please let me know where this “history” is to be found.  Since there is no documentation that I can find perhaps you can enlighten me. “The obstacle to peace are not the new Jewish towns and villages there but the unrelenting enmity of the Arabs and their neo-Nazi propaganda, which suffuses the life of millions of Muslims from schoolbooks to weekly sermons in the mosques.” Yeah, right.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by Alex Golan 74rivka@msn.com To Mr. Wedlund! If you believe that Obama is interested in anything except his own self-aggrandizement I would like to sell you a nice bridge in Brooklyn. Contrary to your ignorance, most Arabs left Israel in 1948/49 because their friends from Egypt, Jordan, Syria etc. told them to get out of the way, in order that their mighty armies could slaughter the Jewish dhimmis easier. Yehudah and Shomron are no less the heartland of Israel than Tel Aviv or Haifa. The obstacle to peace are not the new Jewish towns and villages there but the unrelenting enmity of the Arabs and their neo-Nazi propaganda, which suffuses the life of millions of Muslims from schoolbooks to weekly sermons in the mosques. Mr. Wedlund, before you start spouting your pacifist drivel, kindly educate yourself in the facts. To Mr. Wedlund! If you believe that Obama is interested in anything except his own self-aggrandizement I would like to sell you a nice bridge in Brooklyn. Contrary to your ignorance, most Arabs left Israel in 1948/49 because their friends from Egypt, Jordan, Syria etc. told them to get out of the way, in order that their mighty armies could slaughter the Jewish dhimmis easier. Yehudah and Shomron are no less the heartland of Israel than Tel Aviv or Haifa. The obstacle to peace are not the new Jewish towns and villages there but the unrelenting enmity of the Arabs and their neo-Nazi propaganda, which suffuses the life of millions of Muslims from schoolbooks to weekly sermons in the mosques.
Mr. Wedlund, before you start spouting your pacifist drivel, kindly educate yourself in the facts.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by blackie sschwartz@inbox.com Cheryl, Don’t know you, but I’m jealous. I wish I’d have posted your comments. Cheryl,
Don’t know you, but I’m jealous. I wish I’d have posted your comments.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by Peter Wedlund peterwedlund@yahoo.com The Obama position has nothing to do with legal rights and everything to do with political efforts to first ease the tension in the region so the peace process can go forward.  While we are discussing Jews being kicked out of Jerusalem by Jordan, let’s not forget what happened to Palestinians in 1949 when Israel kicked hundreds of thousands of Palestinians out of their homes and confiscated their property.  I don’t want to get into right or wrong or rehash history.  Whether you feel it was justified or not there has been enough pain and suffering felt by all sides.  It is time to step back and decide if this should be the path forward from here or if another path is warranted. There is nothing wrong with Jewish people buying land and building on it in Jerusalem or elsewhere.  The problem right now is the perception of Israel’s intentions.  The perception by Palestinians is of Israel’s plan to take over and kick out all Palestinians from the occupied territories.  The more Israel builds in the occupied regions, the more that perception grows, particularly since Jews and Palestinians are not treated equally by Israel in those territories.  I sincerely doubt Obama cares whether Jews live in Jerusalem or the West Bank, so comments about his apartheid efforts and making East Jerusalem off limits to Jews is way off the mark.  What Obama cares about is working toward peace in the region and the more tension created by perceptions of Israel’s intentions, the less chance there is for peace.  You can’t reach a peace agreement without trust and you don’t build trust if you feed people’s fears and worst perceptions of your intentions. Let’s try to be a little more balanced with respect to the issues here instead of simply jumping up and down every time Obama disagrees with Israel leadership on an issue. Obama is interested in peace for the region, not punishing Israel.  Once peace is established and there is an understanding about Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza territories and who controls what and with what authority by all parties it becomes easier to work through land issues, property rights and legal recourse so everyone is treated the same instead of some being treated differently than others.  The settlement growth and new building are impediments to the peace process which prevents the ultimate goal of equal justice and fairness for all being realized. The Obama position has nothing to do with legal rights and everything to do with political efforts to first ease the tension in the region so the peace process can go forward.  While we are discussing Jews being kicked out of Jerusalem by Jordan, let’s not forget what happened to Palestinians in 1949 when Israel kicked hundreds of thousands of Palestinians out of their homes and confiscated their property.  I don’t want to get into right or wrong or rehash history.  Whether you feel it was justified or not there has been enough pain and suffering felt by all sides.  It is time to step back and decide if this should be the path forward from here or if another path is warranted.

There is nothing wrong with Jewish people buying land and building on it in Jerusalem or elsewhere.  The problem right now is the perception of Israel’s intentions.  The perception by Palestinians is of Israel’s plan to take over and kick out all Palestinians from the occupied territories.  The more Israel builds in the occupied regions, the more that perception grows, particularly since Jews and Palestinians are not treated equally by Israel in those territories. 

I sincerely doubt Obama cares whether Jews live in Jerusalem or the West Bank, so comments about his apartheid efforts and making East Jerusalem off limits to Jews is way off the mark.  What Obama cares about is working toward peace in the region and the more tension created by perceptions of Israel’s intentions, the less chance there is for peace.  You can’t reach a peace agreement without trust and you don’t build trust if you feed people’s fears and worst perceptions of your intentions.

Let’s try to be a little more balanced with respect to the issues here instead of simply jumping up and down every time Obama disagrees with Israel leadership on an issue. Obama is interested in peace for the region, not punishing Israel.  Once peace is established and there is an understanding about Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza territories and who controls what and with what authority by all parties it becomes easier to work through land issues, property rights and legal recourse so everyone is treated the same instead of some being treated differently than others.  The settlement growth and new building are impediments to the peace process which prevents the ultimate goal of equal justice and fairness for all being realized.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by Alex Golan 74rivka@msn.com Contrary to conventional stupidity which seems to be B. Hussein Obama’s guiding principle, except for his anti-Semitism, until 1948 and throughout 400 years of Ottoman rule, Jews were a majority in Jerusalem. Thus the Arabs are the interlopers in Jerusalem. What the anti-Semites in the State department acnowledge or not is not relevant. What is a concern is the abject blindness of our left-wing brethren who, like in the dark days of FDR, place more importance to lick the president’s boots than to defend Israel and their Jewishness. To all these useless idiots and other benighted post-Zionists - answer this question: Who would care a lick about Jews without the existence of Israel? Contrary to conventional stupidity which seems to be B. Hussein Obama’s guiding principle, except for his anti-Semitism, until 1948 and throughout 400 years of Ottoman rule, Jews were a majority in Jerusalem. Thus the Arabs are the interlopers in Jerusalem. What the anti-Semites in the State department acnowledge or not is not relevant. What is a concern is the abject blindness of our left-wing brethren who, like in the dark days of FDR, place more importance to lick the president’s boots than to defend Israel and their Jewishness. To all these useless idiots and other benighted post-Zionists - answer this question: Who would care a lick about Jews without the existence of Israel?

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00 Comment by Edward Rosenblatt edmaestro@aol.com Cheryl, I agree with you COMPLETELY. But even on the assumption that you are wrong, and that East Jerusalem is not lawfully part of Israel, there is only one concept under which Jews should not be allowed to settle there: apartheid. The same kind of apartheid which is the crux of the arab-Israeli conflict - lots of states for arabs, none for Jews.  Arabs can live in Israel, Jews cannot live in the “future Palestine.” Funny how the arab regimes are so guilty of all the evils they accuse Israel of: apartheid, ethnic cleansing, attempting to deprive a people of national determination. Rarely in history has there been such a clear case of real bad guys versus real good guys. Cheryl, I agree with you COMPLETELY.

But even on the assumption that you are wrong, and that East Jerusalem is not lawfully part of Israel, there is only one concept under which Jews should not be allowed to settle there: apartheid. The same kind of apartheid which is the crux of the arab-Israeli conflict - lots of states for arabs, none for Jews.  Arabs can live in Israel, Jews cannot live in the “future Palestine.”

Funny how the arab regimes are so guilty of all the evils they accuse Israel of: apartheid, ethnic cleansing, attempting to deprive a people of national determination.

Rarely in history has there been such a clear case of real bad guys versus real good guys.

]]> 2012-05-24T;14:04:00-05:00