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U.S., Israel to try and heal worst rift in years

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The US response to the construction in East Jerusalem is emboldening the radical groups to riot. The Obama administration has clearly made another international relations miscalculation...

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“But the unrest appears to reflect a deeper frustration over the yearlong standstill in peace efforts.”

Rubbish speculation by a Palestinian talking head. The entire thing has been orchestrated and only a half wit could fail to see this. But then perhaps that is what Obama is, a half wit that that caved in to the pressure. This gutless behaviour will come back to haunt him, or more exactly haunt the US. Obama has shown weakness and betrayed a supposed friend and the Palestinians will remember this and use it. The US has just lost big time.

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I find it amusing that Obama is already backing away from their hardline stance. Clinton and Gibbs both came out today and backtracked a bit. Course when both Dems and Republicans come out and challenge Obama on his policies, they start taking another look.

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Israel annexed east Jerusalem after capturing it from Jordan in the 1967 Mideast war." Where is Jordan on all this? Have the accepted the Israeli version of the story?

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I think Obama will again soon be arguing with Sarah Palin's Facebook page. She has humiliated him again:

" The Obama Administration reaches out to some of the world’s worst regimes in the name of their engagement policy. America and our allies watch as sanctions are eased on Cuba. Letters are written to Iran’s mullahs only to see that regime start killing protestors in the streets of Tehran. Envoys are sent to North Korea as they continue to defy the world’s demand to give up their nuclear weapons. The Burmese military junta’s representative is allowed to travel to our nation’s capital. The President’s envoy for Sudan talks about giving that genocidal regime “gold stars,” while the President shakes hands with Venezuela’s tyrannical leader. In the midst of all this embracing of enemies, where does the Obama Administration choose to escalate a minor incident into a major diplomatic confrontation? With Iran, Cuba, Sudan, North Korea or Burma? No. With our treasured ally, Israel. "

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Worst rift? Thanks Obama.

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I can't think of a single beneficial alliance Obama has made or strengthened since taking office.

But I think I know who will be blamed for that as well...

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I think we should offer all the Israeli Jews American passports and have them move to America. Give back beautiful Israel to the Palestinians, and watch them turn it back to desert.

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Wow, Obama has done so much damage. I don't remember bush getting any meaningful negotiations.

Correction. bush gave them $30Billion for military aid with out getting a single thing in return. Israel not only got the money, but he also got bush's support when they systematically murdered over 1000 men, women and children hiding in US sanctuaries, schools and fallout shelters.

Yes goddog give them passports, but I know a place I want to put them and it ain't the US.

Israel is seeing just how far they can push the US. Gen Petraus and Admir Mullins both told congress this week how Israel is a threat to the security of our troops. And if they are a security risk for our troops, they are a security risk to this country. < :-)

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Israel annexed east Jerusalem after capturing it from Jordan in the 1967 Mideast war." Where is Jordan on all this? Have the accepted the Israeli version of the story?

They along with Egypt have long since abandoned any claim to Palestine. In other words, the West Bank, which used to be part of Jordan, is now Israels to do with as it likes. Either to give that to the Palestinians to create their own state, or not. Same thing with Gaza. For a long time they were looking like they were going to keep it. Now they're being serious about doing the land for peace deal started in the 90s. Of course the question is, how much of the land Israel is willing to give the Pals. East Jerusalem, has never been on the table though. It is not, and never will be part of the negotiations.

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The Israel shoe-kissing carried out by so many U.S. presidents is now officially over.

The Israeli government deserved this blasting and they got one.

It's a pity there's so many conservatives who support a limp-wristed, so-nothing approach.

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Molenir, I'm curious why you back a do-nothing approach.

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The Israel shoe-kissing carried out by so many U.S. presidents is now officially over.

I have serious doubts about whether this "rift" is real or not.

The whole thing might have been preplanned and it might just be a way to have the US distance itself from an upcoming Israeli action; another massacre perhaps.

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It's a pity there's so many conservatives who support a limp-wristed, so-nothing approach.

Don't forget the liberals.

Molenir, I'm curious why you back a do-nothing approach.

Do nothing? How do you mean? What is the goal here? Is it peace at any price? Or is it a lasting peace? This really isn't the forum for arguing an issue of this complexity, so I'll simply say, I believe in a real, lasting peace. Thinking that fault always lies on the side of Israel, and failing to recognize the real restraint shown by them is a mistake. Israel has given in hugely. They have agreed to the principle of a Pal country, a country formed by them surrendering land. They have given the Pals a large portion of control over their land, and in Gaza, almost total control. And what has this gotten them? Absolutely nothing. Hamas still wants to destroy Israel, Fatah still encourages suicide attacks on Israel. When are the sacrifices made by Israel going to achieve anything? And when will the world recognize just how much Israel has already given up, and how little they've gotten in return.

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sabi, you keep leaving me in suspense.... what are the motives?

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Molenir - "They have given the Pals a large portion of control over their land, and in Gaza, almost total control. And what has this gotten them? Absolutely nothing."

Molenir, I think you forgot to mention the Palistinians are living inside massive concrete walls like caged animals.

"And when will the world recognize just how much Israel has already given up, and how little they've gotten in return."

That's pretty insulting considering my above comment.

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Molenir, I am glad to see that you continue to regard the Palistinians and the land they live on as nothing more than spoils of war to be lorded over by conquering Israelis. I am glad to see that you still support this sort of tyranny over the democratic principle of a people choosing their own leaders and government. I am glad, because it taints anything else you might have to say on this issue and makes opposing you extremely easy.

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"U.S., Israel to try and heal worst rift in years"

It appears that the US is doing all they trying to heal the rift here. If you worked the phrase "rat's ass" into a sentence, it would pretty much describe israel's effort in this "healing".

Seems it couldn't care less what the rest of the world thinks about it either, as nobody else is "rifting" much less healing, as they've written to pariah off a long time ago.

And for those who are wondering just how much israel leeches from the hard working American taxpayer, check these two pages out:

http://www.aidtoisrael.org/

http://www.ifamericansonlyknew.org/

School boards closing schools and laying off teachers, roads and infrastructure crumbling, foreclosures mounting daily, no health care for vets (or anyone else), but always a cool mil-a-day or more for israel. Where is the outrage, Amerika?

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School boards closing schools and laying off teachers, roads and infrastructure crumbling, foreclosures mounting daily, no health care for vets (or anyone else),

Yup, and people from every country, and faith, are lined up at Americas door, praying to get in and become Americans, free to live the American dream!!

but always a cool mil-a-day or more for israel.

America spends 2 billion dollars a day on defense, a million is just a drop in the bucket to support our allies and friends in Israel.

Where is the outrage, Amerika?

Any way u spell it AMERICA spells freedom and justice. The outrage, is reserved for Islamic terrorists and their evil supporters.

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In military assistance alone Israel receives closer to 6 million a day, but that would be a conservative estimate. The U.S. leaks money to Israel from so many government sources that no one actually knows just how much goes to Israel. Further complicating the accounting is the loans we give Israel that just get "forgotten". I say, NO MORE! That also goes for American military spending, and bring that up hardly makes things any better.

Yeah, America spells freedom and justice, unless you want to leave the Union, be a communist, won't give America favorable oil contracts, or want to be free of Israeli occupiers, then forget freedom and justice. I will give you the fact that America has one of the best track records the world has ever seen on the subjects, but acting like America is perfect or automatic freedom and justice won't help keep America's record good. In fact, its slipping because of that attitude.

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may I ask, just what are the Israelis supposed to do Liberitas/HL? Would you prefer they just up root themselves, including ones who've been there since before the state was created? Even your boy Sabiwabi agrees there've been Jews there for a long time.

HL, its almost as though you are advocating genocide on them. Is that what you prefer?

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I am most certainly not advocating genocide against anyone! What absolute malarkey that is!

All I want is for the majority in the area to choose their government by democratic vote. What the devil is so confusing or genocidal about that?

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All I want is for the majority in the area to choose their government by democratic vote." you support that idea anywhere?

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First, America is a continent, not a country.

USA support & financing of Israel removes any legitimacy of their cry 'freedom & democracy' - it makes them self-serving, hypocritical bullies.

Israel is a terrorist state guilty of war crimes and breaches of Geneva Convention & International Law.

SHAME ON ISRAEL & ITS ALLIES.

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HeyLars at 09:56 PM JST - 17th March “I am most certainly not advocating genocide against anyone! What absolute malarkey that is! All I want is for the majority in the area to choose their government by democratic vote. What the devil is so confusing or genocidal about that?”

First thing you need to realise is that Israel is a democratic state and the Palestinians in Israel can vote for whom ever they wish, and do so. But your little twist in your statement says “in the area”. Which makes what you are saying just a little too vague to have any true meaning. Are you thinking of creating a Greater Israel or a Greater Palestine? Your first sentence is deliberately obtuse given that you believe a democratic vote would put the Palestinians in control the “area” and they would then treat the Jews (now no longer Israelis) in a fair and even handed way. Get real. We have seen how the Palestinians behave towards the Israelis when they have no power over them, are you seriously saying there would be no genocide if the Palestinians did get power? We have already seen what they managed to “create” when they were given Gaza. Were they productive and did they get on with building their lives? No, they created Hamas and used the land that they were given back as a platform to fight against Israel. If the Palestinians ever did get what is now Israel you would see the worst blood bath the world has ever known. What absolute malarkey you talk.

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Molenir, I think you forgot to mention the Palistinians are living inside massive concrete walls like caged animals.

And you again fail to acknowledge the huge steps taken by Israel. I wonder how it is, an entire generation has grown up over the past 15 years, that takes for granted Israel surrendering all this land to the Pals. Assuming somehow that it automatically belongs to them. It doesn't. It is Israels, and they are planning to give it away. But the solution is going to be more then 'Peace at any price'. It must be a lasting peace, and caving to every demand the Pals make, is not the way to achieve that.

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skipthesong

All I want is for the majority in the area to choose their government by democratic vote." you support that idea anywhere?

Who's democratic vote? < :-)

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The Pals could return to the table any time they want. They could accept the deal offered to Arafat, any time, but they, like him, are holding out for more. Despite this, Israel has followed through on many promises, allowing the Pals, limited self rule, giving in on the idea of them forming a state. And yet, always, the Pals want more, and the weak willed, lily livered cowards at the UN simply refuse to acknowledge it. Shame on the world for not being able to see this.

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skipthesong, yes, of course I support the idea of self-rule anywhere! And of course, I also accept the idea that we can't always fix the problem from afar. But handing billions to people who conquer others is right out. Those who support democracy would hand them sanctions!

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haganah, yes Israel is a democratic state but then you went all wonky from there. Israel might be a democracy but lording over Gaza and West Bank, including East Jerusalem is not an action of democratic principle Being a democracy at home does NOT preclude a state from being tyrannical abroad.

No, Palestinians in Israel most certainly CANNOT vote. You have to be an Israeli citizen to vote and if you are an Israeli citizen you are not a Palestinian! You would be an Arab-Isreali. Most of the people in East Jerusalem and West Bank are not and do not want to be Israeli citizens. Yet they are ruled by Israel. This is known as tyranny.

What I meant by area was any area. The smallest I would go is that of a town. That means Israel can remain Israel but must get its paws off Gaza, West Bank and East Jerusalem etc.

How one treats the other is somewhat beside the point. Until the majority is in power, there can be no such thing as fair treatment. Your concern about potential violence is noted. Your acting like there is no violence now is laughable though. I don't expect any transition to be easy, but there can be no peace or fairness until the first step is taken, and the first step is self-rule. Israel can darn well defend her own borders and stop using other people and their land as buffers and pawns. America and Americans should be ashamed to call such a country "ally".

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You know, I hear all this and yet have not heard one thing mentioned yet.. The fact that the Jews and Israelites owned Israel and Jerusalem over 3000 years ago before Jesus came to this earth. Not to mention they were driven out of their homeland numerous times, not only by wars with Arabs, but also practically wiped off the face of the Earth by Hitler, simply because they were jewish. I think everyone has the right to exist, but Israel fought and got her land back, and every time she has given more to the Palestinians she always gets smacked in the face... they gave up solomon's temple, only to be replaced by the dome of the rock, gave up Gaza, only to have Palestine able to fire more mortors and rockets from closer range and kill more israelites. There needs to be peace, and Israel has a right to exist and has been deemed a nation since 1947.

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