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Israeli apology gets cool reception in Washington

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“There was a regrettable incident that was done in all innocence and was hurtful, and which certainly should not have occurred,” Netanyahu said.

This is the Israeli apology? Amazing what passes for an apology with some people! Its less of an apology and more of a mere statement, particularly since they vow to continue the offending action. All told it sounds more like STFU and GTFO! I think its past time to cut off all military aid.

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Israel has no reason to apologize to America.

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They're sorry for the diplomatic fiasco, but not for what they do.

Typical.

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MrUSA: Israel has no reason to apologize to America.

Agreed. East Jerusalem is part of Israel now. It's the Obama administration that needs to apologize to Israel for even making it an issue. This administration is just one failure after another.

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"Israel has no reason to apologize to America." Israel has many reasons to apologize to many. How can a people who suffered so much hatred, dehumanizing treatment and injustice at the hands of the Nazis turn and focus the same kind of hatred and abuse to another people?

It is important to remember that many Jewish people do not support Israel. The behavior of the Israeli state is shameful and has been for many years.

While I equally condemn the methods some Palestinians have used to fight back, is it any wonder that such hatred on both sides leads to such extremes?

The US should cut off support for Israel and make the creation of an interim two state model a condition for any future support. Further, the long term solution should be a joint state. Only, and I do mean only, where there is a unified state tying the fate of both Palestinians and Israelis together will there be peace in the Middle East. Only then will they have to work together and be able to gain peace from other regional states.

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Like all hardcore Leftists Obama loathes Israel. He is loyal to the likes of Rashid Khalidi, but the mainstream US media turns a blind eye.

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well put tkoind2

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Odogma, you claim Obama 'loathes' Israel. Care to give us 1 reason why he should like the Israeli leadership? I could counter by saying you loathe America for supporting continued U.S. funding of a terrorist state...

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The big difference between this and the previous U.S. administration is that this one has the balls to call out the Israeli leadership. The previous U.S. administration was gutless in this regard, a total bunch of pushovers.

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Helter, you claim the Obama administration needs to apologize to Israel for making it an issue. And yet you fully supported the previous administration's attempts to also work toward bringing peace to the ME.

The conservatives' foot-in-mouth comments just get funnier, not to mention more hypocritical. :-)

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The middle-east has been a hotbed of conflict for at least the last 3000 years, and this isn't likely to change. Too few resources, too many people. People keep on hiding behind the excuse of religion, but frankly it's not about religion, it's about resources. The UN created the current mess back in the 1950's by splitting Palestine into Irael and Palestine, and they've been fighting like cats and dogs since then over the resources available. In the end there is only really one solution, to implement a UN-policed buffer zone, otherwise this fighting will continue forever. Even if the whole of Palestine is eventually annexed Palestinian refugees will make cross-border raids from neighbouring countries. It's a sad, sad situation, and I feel sorry for everyone in the region. In the end it's not the politicians who suffer, it's the regular citizens.

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MrUSA -- jeez, even your opinions on the U.S., you home base, are half-baked. As others have stated, so I won't simply repeat, Israel has every reason to apologize to the U.S. The U.S., and that means us taxpayers, have invested billions over the years supporting Israel. But enough is enough. Everyone with half a brain realizes that the "two-state solution" (I assume you've heard of that), as outlined in the Mitchell Plan/roadmap, is the only long-term solution to the Isreali-Palestinian problems. It is time the Israeli's got on-board with it, and helped Obama and Clinton get it done. Not throw more obstacles in the way.

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I live in the capital of Israel, New York, and I can assure you that there is absolutely no need for Israel to apologize to the US. On the contrary, Obama must obey the orders from his bosses Benjamin Netanyahu, David Axelrod, Rahm Emmanuel and Hilary, and go on waging wars with the arabs and alowing Israel to poke their fingers up Palestinians asses and the world will continue becoming a more peaceful and safer place.

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Basically, I think what Israel is sorry about is that the US didn't agree, and that that in turn has caused trouble. It's pretty clear that they're not actually SORRY at all about plans for settling in the Palestinian capital, and Netanyahu has made it pretty clear he has no intention of backing out.

I hope this strains the relationship further, and the US finally puts its foot down, cuts ALL aid to Israel with the condition it will be continued again in the future when Israel backs off the settlement plan and comes to the table for talks instead of making threats.

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Everyone with half a brain realizes that the "two-state solution"...is the only long-term solution to the Isreali-Palestinian problems. It is time the Israeli's got on-board with it...

Anyone with half a brain realizes the "Palestinians" have had multiple opportunities to have their own state and have squandered them all. Surely you're familiar with the expression: Muslim Arabs never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. A two-state solution would mean the Muslim Arabs accept the state of Israel and can no longer use the "Palestinian" lie as a propaganda tool. This is why they don't want it.

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Helter_Skelter -- fair enough. I agree Arafat was a fool to walk away from the deal that President Clinton had helped negotiate. But, that was two administrations ago. The Israeli's can only use that excuse for so long. Obama/Hilary Clinton are potentially the only team with enough credibility on both sides to get a deal done, and this time it is the Israeli's "missing an opportunity".

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home to sensitive Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites" Why don't they make some sort of "Vatican state" for the area free from any country's rule?

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As anyone who have knows anything about Judaism. Zionism is not Judaism. The word Zion means fort, Al Qaeda means “the base” which is another kind of fort. Right winged Zionists are now talking about another Mosada. Russia is now having their nukes on high alert. US now have 2nd thoughts to give military support to Israel in order for Israel to attack Iran. Nethanyahu is thinking crazy stuff like “if Israel falls we will destroy 200 cities." Real Jews know to do unto others as you would have others do unto you. As soon as the Jews liberate themselves from the paranoid Zionist propaganda, they will be safe.

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Move Israel to NY

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Helter, you claim the Obama administration needs to apologize to Israel for making it an issue. And yet you fully supported the previous administration's attempts to also work toward bringing peace to the ME.

How is this hypocritical? Everyone is in favor of peace, but the administration making hay over Israels building more houses on their land is wrong how? The issue of East Jerusalem is settled. While the Pals want it, they won't get it. Its done. They can whine and cry all they want, but it won't change the reality.

Basically, I think what Israel is sorry about is that the US didn't agree, and that that in turn has caused trouble. It's pretty clear that they're not actually SORRY at all about plans for settling in the Palestinian capital, and Netanyahu has made it pretty clear he has no intention of backing out.

Of course they're not sorry for settling in their capital. Just because the Pals want it, and claim it, doesn't make it theirs. The pals in this instance are SOL.

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Israels building more houses on their land

It is not Israeli land, never was.

The UNSC and even the International Court of Justice have ruled that the land taken in 1967 belongs to the Palestinians. These Occupied Palestinian Territories, which include Gaza, all of West Bank and East Jerusalem, belong to the Palestinians NOW; it is not disputed land and it does not have to be negotiated. Its occupation by Israel is completely illegal.

This is also recognized by an international consensus; with only Israel, US, and a few tiny Pacific Islands rejecting it.

Just because the Pals want it, and claim it, doesn't make it theirs.

That's right, what makes this land Palestinian is international law. Just because the Israelis want it and whine about it, doesn't make it theirs.

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Israel knows Barack Obama is a one-term, one-off phenomenon. They will have their way with him and his hapless VP.

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Wonderful apology. Now cut all ties with Israel. Do whatever you like Israel, but without US aid and assistance. You do us no benefit. You are a millstone around the neck of the US. < :-)

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This dispute and the Obama administration's stance on larger background issues will make it clear to not just Israelis but also finally to American Jews that blind, knee-jerk anti-Semitism is now a central element of orthodox Leftist thought.

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Is this the start of a new USRAELI era? This is the harshest criticism of Israel by US in decades. It is immoral to go on supporting the belligerent state of Israel today as it has become a destabilizing force in the region both by its hostile aggression and covert activities in the region. Israel has become a direct threat to its neighbors and Americans overseas and at home.

In addition, Israel's belligerent behavior today contradicts why the state was created to begin with (1) to be a safe heaven for Jews and (2) to be a state for all its people - according to its UN charter--which it is neither of today.

Indeed, Jews in Iran, Europe, USA enjoy more security than Jews in Israel today and many have refused invitations to come to Israel due to its hostile and appalling human rights record both to the Palestinian and Beduion people.

Thus Israel has become a failed state and its existence as a member state is no longer necesssary or worth the human cost today and its status should be taken back to the UN for review. it's time for the world to moves beyond this belligerent state of Israel.

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It is not Israeli land, never was.

It became Israeli land in 1980 the day they officially annexed it. Thats the state on the ground. Like it or not. If you want peace, there have to be 2 sides willing. This is an issue that Israel is not willing to give on. Thats it. They're willing to let the Pals have most of the rest of it. Look at Gaza for example, but East Jerusalem is not on the table, and hasn't been since 1980. That fact is not going to change, no matter how much the Pals whine and complain.

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"...will never agree to share the holy city".

That kind of attitude doesn't make it holy nor holier. Certainly has little if anything to do with "Holiness" as an entity. I would ask him why he thinks it is holy in the first place? Because of him? Jews? Palestinians?

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Molenir: "If you want peace, there have to be 2 sides willing."

And clearly Isreal is not only NOT willing for peace, but pushing for conflict.

Time to cut all ties and assistance.

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International Court of Justice

Comprised of fifteen Socialist elites. Geez, does anyone but sabi really give a rip what they think?

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Geez, does anyone but sabi really give a rip what they think?

Yes, the entire world "gives a rip" about the International Court of Justice... except for Israel, US, and a few tiny Pacific Islands.

Hopefully, America will soon join the rest of humanity.

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smith: And clearly Isreal is not only NOT willing for peace, but pushing for conflict.

Israel completely withdrew from Gaza and was rewarded with thousands of Qassam rockets. Israel lives under an existential threat, surrounded by Muslim Arabs who's goal is to ethnically cleanse the ME of Jewish Infidels. Israel doesn't have the luxury of living in the fantasy world of first-world leftists, believing a hand shake and piece of paper will bring lasting peace with Muslim Arabs.

It never ceases to amaze me how there are currently dozens of conflicts with Muslims throughout the world and people still don't get it.

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the entire world "gives a rip" about the International Court of Justice

Pfft. Nobody cares or talks about the ICJ except Socialists and Islamists. But, as you've so perfectly demonstrated, you can always count on them to bring it up in discussions about Israel. :-D

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I have known a few muslim arabs and jewish infidels. Some were able to contribute more than conflict.

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Helter_Skelter said: Comprised of fifteen Socialist elites.

Attacking the messanger already? Why not just admit defeat and withdraw from the debate if that tactic is necessary already?

Molenir said: It became Israeli land in 1980 the day they officially annexed it.

That is as true as when the Soviet Union annexed Latvia and Western Ukraine. Nothing we can do to stop it directly. But I am going to assume that you are not in support of such a thing as it runs completely counter to everything democracy represents. If that is true, what sanctions should we impose on Israel? Do you have the courage to answer that?

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Well...the US can either accept the apology, or reject it...I'm betting that they will accept the apology, and the building in East Jerusalen will continue without any abnormal obstructions...

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Well...the US can either accept the apology, or reject it" you know what, maybe the US should just drop Israel, stay out of the whole thing and let wag it out. Of course, Israel will have to fight Syria, Jordan, Iran, and a few others. But hey, if they lose, that settles the argument.

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Skipthesong, why does Israel have to fight Syria, Jordan and Iran? I think Israel is well established enough that not only can they take care of themselves, but her neighbors know it and even without American billions pouring in would not want another fight with Israel. Or do you think Israel will attack her neighbors and call it a pre-emptive strike like she did in the Six Day War?

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“There was a regrettable incident that was done in all innocence and was hurtful, and which certainly should not have occurred,” Netanyahu said.

Reads: Next time we'll do it when nobody can see or hear it!

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The Jewish population in the US is a huge voting block, not only for votes, but for polictical money. US politicians do not overlook this fact when determining foreign policy.

I've come to the conclusion that the Israels and the Palestinians deserve each other. Long live the conflict!

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(BBC News) - Israel's ambassador to the US has said that relations between the two countries are at their lowest point for 35 years, Israeli media have reported.

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