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US and Israel still at odds on settlements
Published: 23 March, 2010, 08:32
Edited: 30 March, 2010, 23:22
Hillary Clinton and Benjamin Netanyahu (AFP Photo / US State Department / Handout)
(14.1Mb) embed videoTAGS: Conflict, Middle East, Protest
Since Israel recently announced 1,600 further settlements in the disputed area of East Jerusalem, a rift with the US has widened. With a strong Jewish lobby in America, the issue has become a divisive one in the US.
Both US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were in Washington DC on Monday, attending an annual conference organized by American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a US pro-Israeli interest group, one of the most powerful groups in Washington.
Speaking at the forum, the Israeli leader remained defiant, claiming his country had a right to build on the land.
The building of settlements, the Palestinian Conflict and Zionism were issues dividing people outside the annual conference of AIPAC. But even inside, divisions ran deep.
Crowds were caught in an impromptu debate between well-known defenders of Israel and the new pro-Israel lobby in town.
This was aside from the official highly-anticipated moment – a speech from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Expectations for the speech seemed to hinge on the recent disagreement between the US and Israel.
“I am concerned as everyone else about the schism that has arisen over the settlements issue. I don't blame them for being tough on Israel, I blame them for being public on Israel,” AIPAC member Rabbi Geoffrey Haber said.
Others claimed they expected to hear an apology for over-reacting.
For her part, Clinton uttered passionate words, but “sorry” was not among them, and that was not the only unsettling moment for AIPAC.
As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrapped up her remarks to AIPAC, the lobby sent out a press release in reaction to a bogus release that national media had reported on, saying the lobby had called for a freeze on settlements. It perhaps highlighted the sensitive issue that many in the crowd of 7,500 gathered were hoping Clinton would address
Clinton stuck by the administration's position and, despite also paying lip service to Obama, AIPAC could well be looking for new leadership in 2012.
"I think probably so…I think he may very well be a one-term president,” AIPAC member Rev. Jim Bevis said.
22.03.2010, 23:20
4 comments
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Its all very contrived and a pattern is emerging ! First the Dubai murder (all to easy to point a finger at Israel-via passports/CCTV/credit cards), then the Al Aqsa/settlements/Biden diss/then the Netanyahu fake belligerancy speech re East Jerusalaam at AIPAC/then the faked confrontation in the White House. All to now result in US 'pressure' to make concessions (to come to naught finally) so that the Arabs may be fooled (yet again) into supporting a strike on Iran in return. Stinks like the Bannanapolis ''road map'' peace Bush/Condi charade at Sharm El Sheikh(in the one year remaining presidency of Bush no less!) which failed to fool the Arabs into a strike on Iran.
All of them, Hillary, Biden and Obama, know all too well that at the end they will have to comply with the orders of the powerfull Jewish lobby in America. Jews control all of influental media, they have bribed Senat and Congress, and if Obama wants to be re-elected he knows that he MUST do everything that Israel wants. That explains why Netanyahu behaves so rudely and contemptuously towards the highest US officials. What a misreable position for once proud nation, the US !
We are still giving them money... another $3 billion plus weapons systems. Therefore, the recent supposed rift is all theater. The political theater is all to some how show the world when the U.S. attacks Iran is wasn't because Israel wanted us to do so. I know this is a lie. Israel wanted the U.S. to attack Iraq. The U.S. did. No U.S. politician dare go against AIPAC or they would probably lose their seat come the next election. 300 Politicians signed an accord stating they would support Israel regardless of the circumstances. When one looks at Israel's violation of UN Resolutions, the Lavonne Affair, Attack on USS Liberty, and recent theft of passports in UK and NZ, these 300 politicians are traitors for soliciting such support. Israel spies on U.S., won't sign NNPT, AIPAC is allowed special allowances no other foreign lobby is given, Israel intentionally kills Americans during Lavonne Affair to blame Egypt, Israel attacks USS Liberty to blame Egypt to bring U.S. into 6-Days War. A strange relationship I want to see at an end. Politicians in D.C. must have many skeletons in their closets.