21 mar 2014
The U.S. is "disappointed with the lack of apology" from Israeli Army Minister Moshe Ya'alon, the U.S. State Department spokeswoman told reporters on Friday.
"We still have remaining concerns about Ya'alon's pattern of behavior," Jen Psaki said during a press briefing. "I think we clearly expressed our displeasure by his offensive comments and an apology would be a natural next step."
Psaki added, however, that Ya'alon's comments don't reflect U.S. relations with Israel.
Washington has been incensed at the Israeli army minister since he leveled harsh criticism at the Obama administration in an address at Tel Aviv University, reported in Haaretz on Tuesday. Ya'alon said the United States "shows weakness" in various arenas around the world – including Ukraine – and that its allies in the Middle East are disappointed. Ya'alon said that because it is "sitting at home," America is opening itself up to terror attacks "and the United States will suffer."
Following a telephone call between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a personal talk with the Israeli prime minister, Ya'alon reportedly apologized to his American counterpart Chuck Hagel, saying, among other things, that there was no defiance, criticism or intention to hurt the United States or Israel's relations with its ally with his words.
However, in its statement following the Ya'alon-Hagel talk, the U.S. Defense Department refrained from referring to Ya'alon's statements as an apology, instead saying that Hagel said he thanked Ya'alon for the clarification, and appreciated what Ya'alon had to say about his commitment to those relations.
In January, Ya'alon raised the ire of fellow Israeli politicians and the U.S. State Department, after he was was quoted by the Israeli daily Yedioth Aharonoth calling Secretary of State John Kerry "obsessive and messianic," adding that he hoped Kerry "gets a Nobel Prize and leaves us alone."
Source: Haaretz
"We still have remaining concerns about Ya'alon's pattern of behavior," Jen Psaki said during a press briefing. "I think we clearly expressed our displeasure by his offensive comments and an apology would be a natural next step."
Psaki added, however, that Ya'alon's comments don't reflect U.S. relations with Israel.
Washington has been incensed at the Israeli army minister since he leveled harsh criticism at the Obama administration in an address at Tel Aviv University, reported in Haaretz on Tuesday. Ya'alon said the United States "shows weakness" in various arenas around the world – including Ukraine – and that its allies in the Middle East are disappointed. Ya'alon said that because it is "sitting at home," America is opening itself up to terror attacks "and the United States will suffer."
Following a telephone call between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a personal talk with the Israeli prime minister, Ya'alon reportedly apologized to his American counterpart Chuck Hagel, saying, among other things, that there was no defiance, criticism or intention to hurt the United States or Israel's relations with its ally with his words.
However, in its statement following the Ya'alon-Hagel talk, the U.S. Defense Department refrained from referring to Ya'alon's statements as an apology, instead saying that Hagel said he thanked Ya'alon for the clarification, and appreciated what Ya'alon had to say about his commitment to those relations.
In January, Ya'alon raised the ire of fellow Israeli politicians and the U.S. State Department, after he was was quoted by the Israeli daily Yedioth Aharonoth calling Secretary of State John Kerry "obsessive and messianic," adding that he hoped Kerry "gets a Nobel Prize and leaves us alone."
Source: Haaretz
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas demanded in talks with US President Barack Obama that Israel free key Palestinian prisoners, including Marwan Barghuti, a Palestinian official said Thursday.
Earlier this month, Abbas said Palestinians will not agree to extend peace talks with Israel beyond their April 29 deadline without Israel releasing more prisoners beyond the fourth and final tranche planned for later this month.
During his meeting with Obama in Washington on Monday, "President Abbas demanded the release of more prisoners and Palestinian leaders in Israeli jails, like Saadat and Barghuti and Shubaki," manager of the Palestinian prisoner club Abdulal al-Anani told the official Voice of Palestine radio.
He was referring to Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine leader Ahmad Saadat, former Palestinian Liberation Organization finance official Fuad Shubaki and Marwan Barghuti, one of the main architects of the 2000 intifada.
Also on Thursday, an EU parliamentary delegation urged Israel to release long-term Palestinian prisoners, saying it was crucial to move a fragile Middle East peace process forward.
"We believe that the release of prisoners... is central to the peace process," said Emer Costello, who headed the EU delegation on a three-day fact-finding mission on Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
The visit of four EU MPs came as Israel was mulling whether or not to release a final batch of long-term Palestinian prisoners under its commitments to US-brokered peace talks.
Israel agreed to release a total of 104 prisoners when talks kick-started by US Secretary of State John Kerry began in July.
It has freed 78 so far, but Israeli ministers have warned that should the Palestinians not agree to extend talks beyond their April 29 deadline, they will not release the remaining inmates as scheduled on March 29.
"We would certainly hope that those prisoner releases would continue and would take place. It is important as well that there are people in custody who are actually pre-Oslo," Costello said, referring to inmates who were supposed to be released under the 1993 Oslo peace accords.
Costello said Israel had barred the delegation from visiting the prisons, confining the trip to meetings with Israeli MPs and local rights groups.
Israel holds more than 5,000 Palestinians in its prisons, most of them on security grounds. Around 150 of these are held under administrative detention, without charge or trial, and another 150 are minors.
The release of 78 long-term Palestinian prisoners since July has been welcomed by Abbas and by the public, especially jubilant families of the inmates, who saw their internment as political.
But it has angered bereaved Israeli families, whose relatives were killed at the hands of some of those released.
Peace talks relaunched last July have made next to no progress, marred by bitter disputes over core issues, and Washington is fighting an uphill battle to get agreement on a framework proposal that would extend the process to the year's end.
Earlier this month, Abbas said Palestinians will not agree to extend peace talks with Israel beyond their April 29 deadline without Israel releasing more prisoners beyond the fourth and final tranche planned for later this month.
During his meeting with Obama in Washington on Monday, "President Abbas demanded the release of more prisoners and Palestinian leaders in Israeli jails, like Saadat and Barghuti and Shubaki," manager of the Palestinian prisoner club Abdulal al-Anani told the official Voice of Palestine radio.
He was referring to Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine leader Ahmad Saadat, former Palestinian Liberation Organization finance official Fuad Shubaki and Marwan Barghuti, one of the main architects of the 2000 intifada.
Also on Thursday, an EU parliamentary delegation urged Israel to release long-term Palestinian prisoners, saying it was crucial to move a fragile Middle East peace process forward.
"We believe that the release of prisoners... is central to the peace process," said Emer Costello, who headed the EU delegation on a three-day fact-finding mission on Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
The visit of four EU MPs came as Israel was mulling whether or not to release a final batch of long-term Palestinian prisoners under its commitments to US-brokered peace talks.
Israel agreed to release a total of 104 prisoners when talks kick-started by US Secretary of State John Kerry began in July.
It has freed 78 so far, but Israeli ministers have warned that should the Palestinians not agree to extend talks beyond their April 29 deadline, they will not release the remaining inmates as scheduled on March 29.
"We would certainly hope that those prisoner releases would continue and would take place. It is important as well that there are people in custody who are actually pre-Oslo," Costello said, referring to inmates who were supposed to be released under the 1993 Oslo peace accords.
Costello said Israel had barred the delegation from visiting the prisons, confining the trip to meetings with Israeli MPs and local rights groups.
Israel holds more than 5,000 Palestinians in its prisons, most of them on security grounds. Around 150 of these are held under administrative detention, without charge or trial, and another 150 are minors.
The release of 78 long-term Palestinian prisoners since July has been welcomed by Abbas and by the public, especially jubilant families of the inmates, who saw their internment as political.
But it has angered bereaved Israeli families, whose relatives were killed at the hands of some of those released.
Peace talks relaunched last July have made next to no progress, marred by bitter disputes over core issues, and Washington is fighting an uphill battle to get agreement on a framework proposal that would extend the process to the year's end.
US-sponsored peace talks with Israel have reached an impasse because of Jewish settlement activity, a Palestinian spokesman said, as plans for over 2,000 West Bank units were moved forward.
The latest crisis comes as Washington scrambles for a formula to allow the Palestinians and Israelis to carry on the peace talks beyond an April 29 deadline.
"Israel's settlement activity caused the negotiations to fail and led them to an impasse," Nabil Abu Rudeina, a spokesman for Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, told AFP.
Abu Rudeina was reacting to the decision of an Israeli defense ministry committee, revealed earlier on Thursday, to push forward with plans to build 2,269 new West Bank homes.
A ministry spokesman said last month the committee had approved the building of 1,015 units in Leshem, Beit El and Almog, leaving Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon's approval as the final step.
The same committee approved 1,254 units in Ariel, Shvut Rachel and Shavei Shomron. Those projects will be published in the media for public comment before returning to the committee for further discussion.
Israeli-Palestinian peace talks are teetering on the brink of collapse, with Washington fighting an uphill battle to get the two sides to agree to a framework proposal to extend the negotiations to the year's end.
US concerned
A US State Department spokeswoman, Jennifer Psaki, said that Secretary of State John Keryy had "expressed his concerns" to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu about recent remarks by Yaalon disparaging the United States' negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.
She added that, given the nearing deadline of April 29 for the Israeli-Palestinian talks, "we are not surprised that there has been an increase in rhetoric over the past couple of weeks given where we are in the process and the pivotal period. But we're just going to keep our head down and focused on the process."
So far, the Palestinians have flatly refused to consider any extension, partly over Israel's persistent settlement construction which has shown no let-up since talks resumed last July.
Israeli anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now said the planned new units would create "facts on the ground that distance us from the two-state solution."
They were further proof that Israel had "no intention to reach a peace agreement and was doing everything it could to force Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas out of the process."
On Wednesday, a municipal committee gave final approval for plans to build 186 new homes in annexed Arab east Jerusalem.
Another stumbling block to the prospect of extending talks is the impending release of Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli ministers have warned that should the Palestinians not agree to extend talks, they will not release a fourth and final group of inmates as scheduled on March 29.
Israel agreed to release a total of 104 prisoners when talks kick-started by US Secretary of State John Kerry began last July.
Earlier this month, Abbas said Palestinians will not agree to extend peace talks unless Israel agrees to release more prisoners.
He demanded in talks with US President Barack Obama on Monday that Israel free key Palestinian prisoners, according to the Palestinian prisoner club.
Abbas referred to Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine leader Ahmad Saadat, former Palestinian Liberation Organization finance official Fuad Shubaki and Marwan Barghuti, an architect of the 2000 intifada.
A visiting EU parliamentary delegation on Thursday urged Israel to release long-term Palestinian prisoners, saying it was crucial to move the fragile peace process forward.
The latest crisis comes as Washington scrambles for a formula to allow the Palestinians and Israelis to carry on the peace talks beyond an April 29 deadline.
"Israel's settlement activity caused the negotiations to fail and led them to an impasse," Nabil Abu Rudeina, a spokesman for Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, told AFP.
Abu Rudeina was reacting to the decision of an Israeli defense ministry committee, revealed earlier on Thursday, to push forward with plans to build 2,269 new West Bank homes.
A ministry spokesman said last month the committee had approved the building of 1,015 units in Leshem, Beit El and Almog, leaving Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon's approval as the final step.
The same committee approved 1,254 units in Ariel, Shvut Rachel and Shavei Shomron. Those projects will be published in the media for public comment before returning to the committee for further discussion.
Israeli-Palestinian peace talks are teetering on the brink of collapse, with Washington fighting an uphill battle to get the two sides to agree to a framework proposal to extend the negotiations to the year's end.
US concerned
A US State Department spokeswoman, Jennifer Psaki, said that Secretary of State John Keryy had "expressed his concerns" to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu about recent remarks by Yaalon disparaging the United States' negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.
She added that, given the nearing deadline of April 29 for the Israeli-Palestinian talks, "we are not surprised that there has been an increase in rhetoric over the past couple of weeks given where we are in the process and the pivotal period. But we're just going to keep our head down and focused on the process."
So far, the Palestinians have flatly refused to consider any extension, partly over Israel's persistent settlement construction which has shown no let-up since talks resumed last July.
Israeli anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now said the planned new units would create "facts on the ground that distance us from the two-state solution."
They were further proof that Israel had "no intention to reach a peace agreement and was doing everything it could to force Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas out of the process."
On Wednesday, a municipal committee gave final approval for plans to build 186 new homes in annexed Arab east Jerusalem.
Another stumbling block to the prospect of extending talks is the impending release of Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli ministers have warned that should the Palestinians not agree to extend talks, they will not release a fourth and final group of inmates as scheduled on March 29.
Israel agreed to release a total of 104 prisoners when talks kick-started by US Secretary of State John Kerry began last July.
Earlier this month, Abbas said Palestinians will not agree to extend peace talks unless Israel agrees to release more prisoners.
He demanded in talks with US President Barack Obama on Monday that Israel free key Palestinian prisoners, according to the Palestinian prisoner club.
Abbas referred to Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine leader Ahmad Saadat, former Palestinian Liberation Organization finance official Fuad Shubaki and Marwan Barghuti, an architect of the 2000 intifada.
A visiting EU parliamentary delegation on Thursday urged Israel to release long-term Palestinian prisoners, saying it was crucial to move the fragile peace process forward.
President Mahmoud Abbas pledged Thursday to commit to Palestinian fixed principles in a speech he delivered to thousands of supporters in Ramallah.
Abbas stressed that he will not give up the Palestinians' rights or betray their trust.
Abbas made these statements to thousands of Palestinians who staged a rally to welcome him back from Washington at the Presidential compound (al-Muqataʻa) in Ramallah.
Commenting on his recent official visit to the US and meeting with US President, Barack Obama, Abbas said: "I have honored my pledge and kept my promise."
Speaking to Obama in the White house, Abbas had affirmed that he is interested in reaching a just and lasting peace that guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital as well as finding a just and lasting solution to the refugee problem.
Thousands of Palestinian supporters staged rallies in several cities across the West Bank in support of Abbas. They urged Abbas to resist calls to make concessions, especially on the issue of recognizing Israel as a 'Jewish state'.
Source: Official Palestinian News Agency-WAFA
Abbas stressed that he will not give up the Palestinians' rights or betray their trust.
Abbas made these statements to thousands of Palestinians who staged a rally to welcome him back from Washington at the Presidential compound (al-Muqataʻa) in Ramallah.
Commenting on his recent official visit to the US and meeting with US President, Barack Obama, Abbas said: "I have honored my pledge and kept my promise."
Speaking to Obama in the White house, Abbas had affirmed that he is interested in reaching a just and lasting peace that guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital as well as finding a just and lasting solution to the refugee problem.
Thousands of Palestinian supporters staged rallies in several cities across the West Bank in support of Abbas. They urged Abbas to resist calls to make concessions, especially on the issue of recognizing Israel as a 'Jewish state'.
Source: Official Palestinian News Agency-WAFA
20 mar 2014
Israel has progressed with plans for more than 2,000 new homes in six Jewish settlements across the West Bank an official said Thursday, in a move likely to further endanger peace talks.
Guy Inbar, a spokesman for the defense ministry unit responsible for civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, said a ministry committee had furthered existing plans for 2,269 homes at a meeting last month.
He confirmed claims by anti-settlements Israeli group Peace Now about decisions on two sets of projects, which the watchdog said the committee had examined on February 19.
In the first case, the committee approved for validation 1,015 units in Leshem, Beit El and Almog, meaning the only remaining formality for their final approval is the okay of Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon.
The same committee approved for deposit 1,254 units in Ariel, Shvut Rachel and Shavei Shomron, meaning those projects will now be published in the media for public comment before returning to the committee for further discussion.
Haaretz newspaper, which first reported the story, noted the Ariel plans for 839 units had been "snarled in bureaucracy for the past decade," and the 290 units in Beit El were part of a promise made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he evacuated a neighborhood in that settlement 18 months ago.
Lior Amihai, a Peace Now official, noted that the decisions have yet to be officially published. He also told AFP that while the February committee was not the final stage of the planning process for the units, the decision to move them forward was extremely meaningful.
"Every stage of advancing (construction) plans in the (West Bank) is a political decision by Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon," he said.
US-led peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians are teetering on the brink of collapse ahead of an April 29 deadline for a deal.
Washington is fighting an uphill battle to get the two sides to agree to a framework proposal to extend the negotiations to the year's end.
So far, the Palestinians have flatly refused to consider any extension, partly over Israel's persistent settlement construction which has shown no let-up since talks resumed last July.
The new units would create "facts on the ground that distance us from the two-state solution," Amihai added, and were further proof Israel had "no intention to reach a peace agreement and was doing everything it could to force Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas out of the process."
On Wednesday, a municipal committee gave final approval for plans to build 186 new homes in occupied East Jerusalem.
The PLO said in a statement on Tuesday that Israeli authorities have begun work on 10,509 housing units in illegal Jewish settlements across the West Bank since the beginning of peace talks, while simultaneously demolishing 146 Palestinian homes.
Ministry: Israel advances plans for 2,269 West Bank homes
Israel has moved forward plans to build more than 2,000 new housing units in six West Bank settlements, a defense official told AFP Thursday.
Guy Inbar, a spokesman for the defense ministry unit responsible for civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, said a ministry committee at a hearing last month had furthered existing plans for 2,269 homes.
Guy Inbar, a spokesman for the defense ministry unit responsible for civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, said a ministry committee had furthered existing plans for 2,269 homes at a meeting last month.
He confirmed claims by anti-settlements Israeli group Peace Now about decisions on two sets of projects, which the watchdog said the committee had examined on February 19.
In the first case, the committee approved for validation 1,015 units in Leshem, Beit El and Almog, meaning the only remaining formality for their final approval is the okay of Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon.
The same committee approved for deposit 1,254 units in Ariel, Shvut Rachel and Shavei Shomron, meaning those projects will now be published in the media for public comment before returning to the committee for further discussion.
Haaretz newspaper, which first reported the story, noted the Ariel plans for 839 units had been "snarled in bureaucracy for the past decade," and the 290 units in Beit El were part of a promise made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he evacuated a neighborhood in that settlement 18 months ago.
Lior Amihai, a Peace Now official, noted that the decisions have yet to be officially published. He also told AFP that while the February committee was not the final stage of the planning process for the units, the decision to move them forward was extremely meaningful.
"Every stage of advancing (construction) plans in the (West Bank) is a political decision by Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon," he said.
US-led peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians are teetering on the brink of collapse ahead of an April 29 deadline for a deal.
Washington is fighting an uphill battle to get the two sides to agree to a framework proposal to extend the negotiations to the year's end.
So far, the Palestinians have flatly refused to consider any extension, partly over Israel's persistent settlement construction which has shown no let-up since talks resumed last July.
The new units would create "facts on the ground that distance us from the two-state solution," Amihai added, and were further proof Israel had "no intention to reach a peace agreement and was doing everything it could to force Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas out of the process."
On Wednesday, a municipal committee gave final approval for plans to build 186 new homes in occupied East Jerusalem.
The PLO said in a statement on Tuesday that Israeli authorities have begun work on 10,509 housing units in illegal Jewish settlements across the West Bank since the beginning of peace talks, while simultaneously demolishing 146 Palestinian homes.
Ministry: Israel advances plans for 2,269 West Bank homes
Israel has moved forward plans to build more than 2,000 new housing units in six West Bank settlements, a defense official told AFP Thursday.
Guy Inbar, a spokesman for the defense ministry unit responsible for civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, said a ministry committee at a hearing last month had furthered existing plans for 2,269 homes.
(Xinhua) -- An absolute majority among the Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip believe that things are heading in the wrong direction, a public opinion survey showed Wednesday. Sixty-six percent of the 1,200 sample people believe that things are heading in the wrong direction, while 49 percent said they are pessimistic about the future, according to the study conducted in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank by the Arab World Research and Development Center (AWRAD).
The poll, which was published on Wednesday, showed that 53 percent of respondents say that their family's economic situation is worse than it was a year ago. In contrast, 33 percent of them that it has stayed the same.
The Gaza Strip, ruled by Hamas movement, has been under a tight Israeli blockade and Egyptian security measures for around eight years, while the West Bank suffers from expansion of settlement and deteriorated economy.
Due to the Israeli policies, rates of poverty and unemployment, mainly in Gaza have grown, while a stalemate peace process had created a status of disappointment among the Palestinians.
The poll said that 52 percent support a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, while 46 percent oppose.
The U.S.-sponsored peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians were resumed last July and the two sides were given a nine-month ultimatum to hummer out a peace deal.
However, Israeli and Palestinian officials had earlier declared that no progress had been so far achieved. Even the visit of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to Washington and his meeting with President Barack Obama hadn't achieved any progress.
The poll showed that 48 percent of respondents believe that the "Kerry Peace Plan" or Framework Agreement will fail in producing a final status agreement, adding "20 years after Oslo, 64 percent believe that Palestinians are now farther from achieving their goal of a Palestinian state."
It also showed that 55 percent of respondents say that they have received limited or no information on the current round of negotiations, and that 49 percent support the current round of negotiations, while 44 percent oppose it.
The poll said that 44 percent of Palestinian do not support a resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli situation involving further concessions, even if President Abbas states that it would best serve Palestinian interests.
It also showed that 77 percent of the respondents believe that the Palestinians are serious about negotiations leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, while only 13 percent believe the same about Israel.
The survey was conducted on March 9 and 11, and published on Wednesday.
The poll, which was published on Wednesday, showed that 53 percent of respondents say that their family's economic situation is worse than it was a year ago. In contrast, 33 percent of them that it has stayed the same.
The Gaza Strip, ruled by Hamas movement, has been under a tight Israeli blockade and Egyptian security measures for around eight years, while the West Bank suffers from expansion of settlement and deteriorated economy.
Due to the Israeli policies, rates of poverty and unemployment, mainly in Gaza have grown, while a stalemate peace process had created a status of disappointment among the Palestinians.
The poll said that 52 percent support a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, while 46 percent oppose.
The U.S.-sponsored peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians were resumed last July and the two sides were given a nine-month ultimatum to hummer out a peace deal.
However, Israeli and Palestinian officials had earlier declared that no progress had been so far achieved. Even the visit of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to Washington and his meeting with President Barack Obama hadn't achieved any progress.
The poll showed that 48 percent of respondents believe that the "Kerry Peace Plan" or Framework Agreement will fail in producing a final status agreement, adding "20 years after Oslo, 64 percent believe that Palestinians are now farther from achieving their goal of a Palestinian state."
It also showed that 55 percent of respondents say that they have received limited or no information on the current round of negotiations, and that 49 percent support the current round of negotiations, while 44 percent oppose it.
The poll said that 44 percent of Palestinian do not support a resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli situation involving further concessions, even if President Abbas states that it would best serve Palestinian interests.
It also showed that 77 percent of the respondents believe that the Palestinians are serious about negotiations leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, while only 13 percent believe the same about Israel.
The survey was conducted on March 9 and 11, and published on Wednesday.
In a rare move, Secretary of State John Kerry protested Wednesday to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about strong criticism of US foreign policy by his outspoken defense minister.
In a telephone call, Kerry told Netanyahu the comments made by Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon were inconsistent with strong ties between Israel and the United States, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
"Clearly his comments were not constructive," Psaki told reporters, after Yaalon accused the US administration of showing weakness around the world, particularly on its policy with Iran and Ukraine.
"Secretary Kerry spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu this morning and protested to him his concerns about these comments," she said, adding that the United States has an "unshakeable commitment" to Israel's security.
"It is certainly confusing to us why Defense Minister Yaalon would continue his pattern of making comments that don't accurately represent the scope of our close partnership on a range of security issues and on the enduring partnership between the United States and Israel."
But Kerry has a "thick skin" and "we're ready to move forward and keep talking about the peace process," Psaki added.
In a later statement issued by the Israeli defense minister's office after he spoke with his US counterpart Chuck Hagel, Yaalon said: "There was in my comments no criticism or intention to offend the United States."
"The strategic relations between our countries is of supreme importance as are personal relations at every level. I highly value the relations between Israel and the United States."
It is not Yaalon's first diatribe against the administration of President Barack Obama and Kerry himself.
In January, the State Department denounced as "offensive" comments made by the minister accusing Kerry of an "incomprehensible obsession" with his push for Middle East peace.
Yaalon was later forced to apologize to the top US diplomat, who has been trying to hammer out for the past year a comprehensive peace treaty between Israel and the Palestinians.
In an address to Tel Aviv University, Yaalon was quoted as saying Tuesday that if the United States continued to demonstrate weakness overseas, its own security would be harmed.
"If you sit and wait at home, terrorism will come again," the Haaretz daily quoted him as saying.
"If your image is feebleness, it doesn't pay in the world... I hope the United States comes to its senses. If it doesn't, it will challenge the world order and the United States is the one that will suffer."
He also toughened his line on Iran and appeared ready to back an Israeli military strike.
"We had thought the ones who should lead the (military) campaign against Iran is the United States... But at some stage, the United States entered into negotiations with them, and unhappily, when it comes to negotiating at a Persian bazaar, the Iranians were better," he said.
In a telephone call, Kerry told Netanyahu the comments made by Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon were inconsistent with strong ties between Israel and the United States, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
"Clearly his comments were not constructive," Psaki told reporters, after Yaalon accused the US administration of showing weakness around the world, particularly on its policy with Iran and Ukraine.
"Secretary Kerry spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu this morning and protested to him his concerns about these comments," she said, adding that the United States has an "unshakeable commitment" to Israel's security.
"It is certainly confusing to us why Defense Minister Yaalon would continue his pattern of making comments that don't accurately represent the scope of our close partnership on a range of security issues and on the enduring partnership between the United States and Israel."
But Kerry has a "thick skin" and "we're ready to move forward and keep talking about the peace process," Psaki added.
In a later statement issued by the Israeli defense minister's office after he spoke with his US counterpart Chuck Hagel, Yaalon said: "There was in my comments no criticism or intention to offend the United States."
"The strategic relations between our countries is of supreme importance as are personal relations at every level. I highly value the relations between Israel and the United States."
It is not Yaalon's first diatribe against the administration of President Barack Obama and Kerry himself.
In January, the State Department denounced as "offensive" comments made by the minister accusing Kerry of an "incomprehensible obsession" with his push for Middle East peace.
Yaalon was later forced to apologize to the top US diplomat, who has been trying to hammer out for the past year a comprehensive peace treaty between Israel and the Palestinians.
In an address to Tel Aviv University, Yaalon was quoted as saying Tuesday that if the United States continued to demonstrate weakness overseas, its own security would be harmed.
"If you sit and wait at home, terrorism will come again," the Haaretz daily quoted him as saying.
"If your image is feebleness, it doesn't pay in the world... I hope the United States comes to its senses. If it doesn't, it will challenge the world order and the United States is the one that will suffer."
He also toughened his line on Iran and appeared ready to back an Israeli military strike.
"We had thought the ones who should lead the (military) campaign against Iran is the United States... But at some stage, the United States entered into negotiations with them, and unhappily, when it comes to negotiating at a Persian bazaar, the Iranians were better," he said.
Danny Danon
A day after the Israeli government announced a delay in the promised release of 30 long-term Palestinian prisoners, Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon threatened, on Wednesday, to resign from his position if the release is carried out – a move which his critics claim is a political maneuver and not an actual threat.
The group of thirty, all of whom have been imprisoned for over twenty years, are the third group of 104 prisoners promised their freedom under a deal negotiated between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority, based in the West Bank.
The other two groups have already been released. However, although the third group is scheduled to be released on March 28th, an Israeli government official claimed on Tuesday that the release of prisoners may be delayed, due to a lack of progress in the so-called 'peace negotiations' led by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
Tuesday's statement by Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett was announced on Israeli Army radio. Palestinian negotiator Issa Qaraqe said that any such delay would be considered 'political blackmail' by the Israeli government against the Palestinians.
On Wednesday, a day after Bennett's claim of a potential delay, Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon made his threat, claiming that he would resign if the final group of prisoners was released. Danon stated, “I will not be part of this executive branch if it will condone and take further steps toward releasing prisoners … the day that the next Palestinian murderer takes his first steps out of jail, I will send a resignation letter, effectively stepping down from my position as deputy defense minister of Israel.”
The statements by both ministers come in the midst of a political fissure in the coalition of parties which make up Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's government. Naftali Bennett is the leader of the religious right party 'Jewish Home', which boycotted a session of the Israeli legislature on Wednesday, in protest of a bill pushed by Netanyahu regarding conversions to Judaism.
Danon is a member of the right-wing faction of the Likud party, which will be holding its annual party summit three days after the planned prisoner release. At the summit, Danon will be debating Netanyahu and likely proposing a plan to split the Likud party.
A day after the Israeli government announced a delay in the promised release of 30 long-term Palestinian prisoners, Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon threatened, on Wednesday, to resign from his position if the release is carried out – a move which his critics claim is a political maneuver and not an actual threat.
The group of thirty, all of whom have been imprisoned for over twenty years, are the third group of 104 prisoners promised their freedom under a deal negotiated between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority, based in the West Bank.
The other two groups have already been released. However, although the third group is scheduled to be released on March 28th, an Israeli government official claimed on Tuesday that the release of prisoners may be delayed, due to a lack of progress in the so-called 'peace negotiations' led by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
Tuesday's statement by Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett was announced on Israeli Army radio. Palestinian negotiator Issa Qaraqe said that any such delay would be considered 'political blackmail' by the Israeli government against the Palestinians.
On Wednesday, a day after Bennett's claim of a potential delay, Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon made his threat, claiming that he would resign if the final group of prisoners was released. Danon stated, “I will not be part of this executive branch if it will condone and take further steps toward releasing prisoners … the day that the next Palestinian murderer takes his first steps out of jail, I will send a resignation letter, effectively stepping down from my position as deputy defense minister of Israel.”
The statements by both ministers come in the midst of a political fissure in the coalition of parties which make up Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's government. Naftali Bennett is the leader of the religious right party 'Jewish Home', which boycotted a session of the Israeli legislature on Wednesday, in protest of a bill pushed by Netanyahu regarding conversions to Judaism.
Danon is a member of the right-wing faction of the Likud party, which will be holding its annual party summit three days after the planned prisoner release. At the summit, Danon will be debating Netanyahu and likely proposing a plan to split the Likud party.
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) started to build a huge Jewish archeological center over 35 dunums of Palestinian lands in occupied Jerusalem, according to Maariv newspaper on Wednesday. The newspaper stated that this center would include a library and a museum to display alleged ancient artifacts and scrolls.
The new archaeological center is being built next to the Israel museum and will eventually serve as the Israeli antiquity authority's headquarters.
Some 80 million dollars, mostly private funds, have been earmarked for the project, provided by some 30 donors from the US, Europe and Israel.
The new archaeological center is being built next to the Israel museum and will eventually serve as the Israeli antiquity authority's headquarters.
Some 80 million dollars, mostly private funds, have been earmarked for the project, provided by some 30 donors from the US, Europe and Israel.
19 mar 2014
Israeli military forces have killed 56 Palestinians and injured 897 since the resumption of peace negotiations with Israel in July, the Palestine Liberation Organization said Tuesday.
"Israeli violations of international law and human rights continued unabated. Rather than demonstrate goodwill during this period, Israel has done the opposite, with the aim of derailing the US peace efforts led by Secretary of State Kerry," a PLO statement said.
There have been over 500 settler attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property in the occupied West Bank and Israeli forces have arrested over 3,000 Palestinians in 3,767 military raids.
Israel has also begun work on 10,509 housing units in illegal settlement while simultaneously demolishing 146 Palestinian homes, the PLO said.
The numbers did not include 15-year-old Yousef Nayif Yousef Shawamrah Abu Akar, who was shot and killed by Israeli forces on Wednesday in the southern West Bank.
Witnesses said the victim had been foraging for local plants when he was shot, but the army claimed he and two others had been vandalizing the security fence.
Peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians were relaunched in July under the auspices of the United States after nearly three years of impasse.
Israel's government has announced the construction of thousands of housing units in illegal settlements since peace talks began.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
"Israeli violations of international law and human rights continued unabated. Rather than demonstrate goodwill during this period, Israel has done the opposite, with the aim of derailing the US peace efforts led by Secretary of State Kerry," a PLO statement said.
There have been over 500 settler attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property in the occupied West Bank and Israeli forces have arrested over 3,000 Palestinians in 3,767 military raids.
Israel has also begun work on 10,509 housing units in illegal settlement while simultaneously demolishing 146 Palestinian homes, the PLO said.
The numbers did not include 15-year-old Yousef Nayif Yousef Shawamrah Abu Akar, who was shot and killed by Israeli forces on Wednesday in the southern West Bank.
Witnesses said the victim had been foraging for local plants when he was shot, but the army claimed he and two others had been vandalizing the security fence.
Peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians were relaunched in July under the auspices of the United States after nearly three years of impasse.
Israel's government has announced the construction of thousands of housing units in illegal settlements since peace talks began.
The internationally recognized Palestinian territories of which the West Bank and East Jerusalem form a part have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.
PLO Executive Committee member, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, stressed that, " Since the "peace process" began in 1991, Israel has created prejudicial facts on the ground, and the same pattern emerges in the talks that began last July which have provided Israel with the cover and time to violate international law and human rights at the expense of the Palestinian people."
Ashrawi's statements came during a meeting with the 2014 student-lend Palestine Trek group from Harvard University on Tuesday in the West Bank city of Ramallah; Ashrawi welcomed the participants to Palestine and informed them with the Israeli violations.
She said, "In the past nine months alone, Israel has escalated its illegal settlement campaign in and around Jerusalem, implemented policies of systematic ethnic cleansing in Occupied Palestine and in Israel, demolished Palestinian homes, expelled hundreds of Palestinians from Area C, carried out the extra-judicial killing of fifty-seven Palestinians, and arrested more than 3,000 Palestinian civilians. In order for the negotiations to succeed, they must contain substance, credibility and a connection to reality."
"As long as the United States and other members of the international community fail to bring Israel to compliance, Israel will continue to violate international and humanitarian law," Ashrawi added.
Ashrawi answered questions on the ongoing negotiations, Israel's facts on the ground, the status of women in Palestinian society, and the role of Israeli and American public opinions, respectively.
On March 17, Ashrawi addressed a visiting delegation representing the Open Society Foundations at the PLO Headquarters in Ramallah.
Both parties discussed the status of education in Palestine, secondary, university and professional education, technical and life-long training, areas for development, means and methods of training and research, and issues of mutual concern and cooperation.
Ashrawi's statements came during a meeting with the 2014 student-lend Palestine Trek group from Harvard University on Tuesday in the West Bank city of Ramallah; Ashrawi welcomed the participants to Palestine and informed them with the Israeli violations.
She said, "In the past nine months alone, Israel has escalated its illegal settlement campaign in and around Jerusalem, implemented policies of systematic ethnic cleansing in Occupied Palestine and in Israel, demolished Palestinian homes, expelled hundreds of Palestinians from Area C, carried out the extra-judicial killing of fifty-seven Palestinians, and arrested more than 3,000 Palestinian civilians. In order for the negotiations to succeed, they must contain substance, credibility and a connection to reality."
"As long as the United States and other members of the international community fail to bring Israel to compliance, Israel will continue to violate international and humanitarian law," Ashrawi added.
Ashrawi answered questions on the ongoing negotiations, Israel's facts on the ground, the status of women in Palestinian society, and the role of Israeli and American public opinions, respectively.
On March 17, Ashrawi addressed a visiting delegation representing the Open Society Foundations at the PLO Headquarters in Ramallah.
Both parties discussed the status of education in Palestine, secondary, university and professional education, technical and life-long training, areas for development, means and methods of training and research, and issues of mutual concern and cooperation.
President Mahmoud Abbas' son, Taraq, says in an interview with The New York Times, that he prefers a one-state solution where Palestinians would share equal rights with Jews.
Tareq believes that the negotiations are Fruitless, and the chance for a two-state solution is long gone. "If you don't want to give me independence, at least give me civil rights," He said. "That's an easier way, peaceful way. I don't want to throw anything, I don't want to hate anybody, I don't want to shoot anybody. I want to be under the law."
Abbas junior belong to a growing faction in the younger Palestinian generation that sees a one-state solution as the only viable way of settling the conflict. According to a poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, 65 percent of people over 50 supports the two-state solution, while only 47 of the 18-35 year olds does the same. The center's director, Khalil Shikaki, reported that a third of the Palestinian population expressed a desire for the one-state solution, but the backing from those under 45 are more solid. Mr. Shikaki elaborated with his views on the poll; "The views of my generation were formed during the heyday of the Palestinian national movement; [my son's] views were formed during the failed years of Oslo, the days of perceived Palestinian Authority corruption and tyranny, the Internet and social media," He further added, referring to the Oslo accords; "We are pragmatic; he is idealistic. We demand independence and sovereignty; he demands equal rights."
In a binational state the Arab Palestinians would be in majority, counting the millions of refugees, that would return.
Tareq Abbas' opinions comes from frustrations with the current economic situation in Palestine. As a business man, he has experienced a lot of difficulties with the occupations restrictions on import, export, work permits for foreigners etc.
The views of Abbas junior stands in contrast to his fathers, who at the moment is in Washington D.C. to discuss the peace negotiations with U.S. President Barack Obama.
Tareq believes that the negotiations are Fruitless, and the chance for a two-state solution is long gone. "If you don't want to give me independence, at least give me civil rights," He said. "That's an easier way, peaceful way. I don't want to throw anything, I don't want to hate anybody, I don't want to shoot anybody. I want to be under the law."
Abbas junior belong to a growing faction in the younger Palestinian generation that sees a one-state solution as the only viable way of settling the conflict. According to a poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, 65 percent of people over 50 supports the two-state solution, while only 47 of the 18-35 year olds does the same. The center's director, Khalil Shikaki, reported that a third of the Palestinian population expressed a desire for the one-state solution, but the backing from those under 45 are more solid. Mr. Shikaki elaborated with his views on the poll; "The views of my generation were formed during the heyday of the Palestinian national movement; [my son's] views were formed during the failed years of Oslo, the days of perceived Palestinian Authority corruption and tyranny, the Internet and social media," He further added, referring to the Oslo accords; "We are pragmatic; he is idealistic. We demand independence and sovereignty; he demands equal rights."
In a binational state the Arab Palestinians would be in majority, counting the millions of refugees, that would return.
Tareq Abbas' opinions comes from frustrations with the current economic situation in Palestine. As a business man, he has experienced a lot of difficulties with the occupations restrictions on import, export, work permits for foreigners etc.
The views of Abbas junior stands in contrast to his fathers, who at the moment is in Washington D.C. to discuss the peace negotiations with U.S. President Barack Obama.
Moshe Ya'alon looks into Syria on tour of Golan Heights
By MICHAEL WILNER
WASHINGTON -- The United States is using unprecedented language to condemn Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon after he continued weeks of criticism of US President Barack Obama, and members of his foreign policy team, on Tuesday.
“We were shocked by Moshe Ya’alon’s comments, which seriously call into question his commitment to Israel’s relationship with the United States," a senior administration official told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday night. "Moreover, this is part of a disturbing pattern in which the Defense Minister disparages the US Administration, and insults its most senior officials."
Ya'alon said on Tuesday that, in light of developments on crises in the Middle East, relations with China and with Russia over the annexation of Crimea, Obama's "image in the world is feebleness."
Ya'alon sensed "disappointment" in the world community, he said at Tel Aviv University.
"Given the unprecedented commitment that this administration has made to Israel’s security, we are mystified why the Defense Minister seems intent on undermining the relationship," the official continued.
The defense minister also implied that US policy on Iran was pushing Israel to plan for war, should talks over its nuclear program fail in Vienna.
"At some stage the United States entered into negotiations with [the Iranians], and unhappily, when it comes to negotiating at a Persian bazaar, the Iranians were better," Ya'alon said.
Ya'alon's criticism of the US administration was extensive: he suggested the White House "come to its senses," or else risk new terrorist threats from around the world.
"Look what's happening in Ukraine, where the United States is demonstrating weakness, unfortunately," he continued.
The comments come just weeks after Ya'alon was criticized for calling US Secretary of State John Kerry "messianic" for his fervent pursuit of peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The State Department demanded an apology for those comments, which he delivered at the time at the insistence of Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu.
Source: THE JERUSALEM POST
By MICHAEL WILNER
WASHINGTON -- The United States is using unprecedented language to condemn Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon after he continued weeks of criticism of US President Barack Obama, and members of his foreign policy team, on Tuesday.
“We were shocked by Moshe Ya’alon’s comments, which seriously call into question his commitment to Israel’s relationship with the United States," a senior administration official told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday night. "Moreover, this is part of a disturbing pattern in which the Defense Minister disparages the US Administration, and insults its most senior officials."
Ya'alon said on Tuesday that, in light of developments on crises in the Middle East, relations with China and with Russia over the annexation of Crimea, Obama's "image in the world is feebleness."
Ya'alon sensed "disappointment" in the world community, he said at Tel Aviv University.
"Given the unprecedented commitment that this administration has made to Israel’s security, we are mystified why the Defense Minister seems intent on undermining the relationship," the official continued.
The defense minister also implied that US policy on Iran was pushing Israel to plan for war, should talks over its nuclear program fail in Vienna.
"At some stage the United States entered into negotiations with [the Iranians], and unhappily, when it comes to negotiating at a Persian bazaar, the Iranians were better," Ya'alon said.
Ya'alon's criticism of the US administration was extensive: he suggested the White House "come to its senses," or else risk new terrorist threats from around the world.
"Look what's happening in Ukraine, where the United States is demonstrating weakness, unfortunately," he continued.
The comments come just weeks after Ya'alon was criticized for calling US Secretary of State John Kerry "messianic" for his fervent pursuit of peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The State Department demanded an apology for those comments, which he delivered at the time at the insistence of Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu.
Source: THE JERUSALEM POST
Israel moved forward Wednesday with plans to build another 186 new homes in East Jerusalem, a city councilor told AFP.
The plans would see construction of 40 new homes in Pisgat Zeev and 146 in Har Homa, both of them settlement neighborhoods built on territory seized by Israel during the 1967 Six Day War, Yosef Pepe Alalu said.
An official of the Israeli left-wing party Meretz told the Hebrew-language news site Walla that the municipality officials came to the conclusion that the chances of a peace deal with the Palestinians had become very slim.
As a result, the municipality sped up construction activities, the official said.
The municipality knows "construction in Har Homah weakens chances of reaching a peace agreement," he added.
Israel's government has announced the construction of thousands of housing units in illegal settlements since peace talks began in July.
More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in contravention of international law.
The plans would see construction of 40 new homes in Pisgat Zeev and 146 in Har Homa, both of them settlement neighborhoods built on territory seized by Israel during the 1967 Six Day War, Yosef Pepe Alalu said.
An official of the Israeli left-wing party Meretz told the Hebrew-language news site Walla that the municipality officials came to the conclusion that the chances of a peace deal with the Palestinians had become very slim.
As a result, the municipality sped up construction activities, the official said.
The municipality knows "construction in Har Homah weakens chances of reaching a peace agreement," he added.
Israel's government has announced the construction of thousands of housing units in illegal settlements since peace talks began in July.
More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in contravention of international law.