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So, in another thread on the subject of the ME, I remember saying that a good idea for slowing down the violence would be for the US and others to put some heat on Israel for their continued annexing of Palestinian land in order to feed the needs of new settlers, and low and behold - here we go:
US takes tougher tone on Israeli settlements in new report
In my view, this new move holds a great deal of promise by putting a heavy responsibility on Israel for their "Devil may care" attitude on their part of the continued violence. The Palestinians themselves will be taking new heat as well, just to balance out the pressure, but this new policy toward Israel will go along toward backing off the pressure that we've all been under as a result.
Please note: Saying that this is an example of hate for Israel will be rejected out of hand. This is very important breaking and international news, and I think it's high time.
US takes tougher tone on Israeli settlements in new report
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States will endorse a tougher tone with Israel in an upcoming international report that takes the Jewish state to task over settlements, demolitions and property seizures on land the Palestinians claim for a future state, diplomats told The Associated Press.
The U.S. and its fellow Mideast mediators also will chastise Palestinian leaders for failing to rein in anti-Israeli violence. But the diplomats involved in drafting the document said its primary focus will be a surge of construction in Jewish housing in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.
In 1972, there were just over 10,000 Israeli settlers, with 1,500 living in the West Bank and the rest in east Jerusalem. Two decades later, by the time of the Oslo peace accords, there were 231,200 Israelis living in the territories. That number rose to 365,000 by 2000, when the second Palestinian uprising began, and 474,000 by the time Benjamin Netanyahu became Israel's prime minister again in 2008.
The settlements are now home to more than 570,000 Israelis, according to the Israeli anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now — 370,000 in the West Bank and 200,000 in east Jerusalem. Settlements range from small wildcat outposts on West Bank hilltops to developed towns with shopping malls, schools and suburban homes.
In my view, this new move holds a great deal of promise by putting a heavy responsibility on Israel for their "Devil may care" attitude on their part of the continued violence. The Palestinians themselves will be taking new heat as well, just to balance out the pressure, but this new policy toward Israel will go along toward backing off the pressure that we've all been under as a result.
Please note: Saying that this is an example of hate for Israel will be rejected out of hand. This is very important breaking and international news, and I think it's high time.