17 nov 2019
White House senior officials, who spoke with their Israeli counterparts, say the president distanced himself from Israel's leader because he 'doesn't like losers'
The U.S. government feels “frustrated” and “disappointed” with Israeli politics in general and with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in particular, according to senior White House officials who spoke with their Israeli counterparts on condition of anonymity.
"Americans are discouraged and frustrated by Israeli politics and the current political crisis, which has prevented the White House from unveiling the political part of the deal of the century," said White House sources, referring to the Trump administration’s long-delayed Mideast peace plan.
The sources added that President Donald Trump has in the past admitted to feeling “very disappointed” with Netanyhau and has spoken about him in a negative manner.
According to sources, Trump has decided to distance himself from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his failure to secure a clear victory in the April 9 elections and form a government, despite the assistance Israel’s leader received from the president. “The president doesn’t like losers,” said a White House source.”
Before the April 9 vote, Netanyahu was invited to the White House, where Trump officially recognized the Golan Heights as Israel’s sovereign territory and designated Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization.
During the election campaign ahead of the September 17 vote, however, Trump’s behavior toward Netanyahu has changed.
He’d written no blank checks for Netanyahu during that campaign and made no loud statements or promises. The only notable thing being a tweet, where Trump vowed to form a security alliance with Israel.
In addition, Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who was fired by Trump a year into the job, said two months ago during an event at Harvard University that Netanyahu “played” Trump on several occasions by providing him with incorrect information.
"In dealing with Bibi, it's always useful to carry a healthy amount of skepticism in your discussions with him," he was quoted as saying. “It bothers me that an ally that's that close and important to us would do that to us.”
The U.S. government feels “frustrated” and “disappointed” with Israeli politics in general and with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in particular, according to senior White House officials who spoke with their Israeli counterparts on condition of anonymity.
"Americans are discouraged and frustrated by Israeli politics and the current political crisis, which has prevented the White House from unveiling the political part of the deal of the century," said White House sources, referring to the Trump administration’s long-delayed Mideast peace plan.
The sources added that President Donald Trump has in the past admitted to feeling “very disappointed” with Netanyhau and has spoken about him in a negative manner.
According to sources, Trump has decided to distance himself from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his failure to secure a clear victory in the April 9 elections and form a government, despite the assistance Israel’s leader received from the president. “The president doesn’t like losers,” said a White House source.”
Before the April 9 vote, Netanyahu was invited to the White House, where Trump officially recognized the Golan Heights as Israel’s sovereign territory and designated Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization.
During the election campaign ahead of the September 17 vote, however, Trump’s behavior toward Netanyahu has changed.
He’d written no blank checks for Netanyahu during that campaign and made no loud statements or promises. The only notable thing being a tweet, where Trump vowed to form a security alliance with Israel.
In addition, Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who was fired by Trump a year into the job, said two months ago during an event at Harvard University that Netanyahu “played” Trump on several occasions by providing him with incorrect information.
"In dealing with Bibi, it's always useful to carry a healthy amount of skepticism in your discussions with him," he was quoted as saying. “It bothers me that an ally that's that close and important to us would do that to us.”
10 nov 2019
A coalition of U.S. Jewish organizations sent a letter to the leaders of Israel’s political parties, warning them against full or partial annexation of occupied West Bank, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported Thursday.
Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, pledged on September 17, 2019 to annex Jordan Valley, which makes up 30 % of the West Bank area, if he is to be re-elected.
According to liberal advocacy group J Street’s president, Jeremy Ben-Ami, “carrying out unilateral annexations in the West Bank would ultimately destroy Israeli democracy and lead the country down a disastrous path to permanent conflict.”
The letter stated that if the United States president, Donald Trump, and his administration were to endorse the annexation, Israel should not take this as a sign of long-term American policy.
“Simply put, the approach of this president does not represent the long-term interests and likely future policy of the United States,” the U.S. based Jewish groups warned.
In March 2019, the U.S. ignored a decades-long international consensus and recognized Israel’s annexation of the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
The coalition stressed that the annexation could harm Israel’s relations with the U.S. Jewish population, because the “vast majority of American Jews support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
Thirteen groups signed the letter, Middle East Monitor reported, including ten members of the Progressive Israel Network – an umbrella coalition that includes J Street and the New Israel Fund.
Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, pledged on September 17, 2019 to annex Jordan Valley, which makes up 30 % of the West Bank area, if he is to be re-elected.
According to liberal advocacy group J Street’s president, Jeremy Ben-Ami, “carrying out unilateral annexations in the West Bank would ultimately destroy Israeli democracy and lead the country down a disastrous path to permanent conflict.”
The letter stated that if the United States president, Donald Trump, and his administration were to endorse the annexation, Israel should not take this as a sign of long-term American policy.
“Simply put, the approach of this president does not represent the long-term interests and likely future policy of the United States,” the U.S. based Jewish groups warned.
In March 2019, the U.S. ignored a decades-long international consensus and recognized Israel’s annexation of the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
The coalition stressed that the annexation could harm Israel’s relations with the U.S. Jewish population, because the “vast majority of American Jews support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
Thirteen groups signed the letter, Middle East Monitor reported, including ten members of the Progressive Israel Network – an umbrella coalition that includes J Street and the New Israel Fund.
6 nov 2019
By: Madeeha Araj/ NBPRS/
The National Bureau for Defending Land and Resisting Settlements said in its latest weekly report , that the Israeli right-wing Government and the extremist settlers continue their policies to undermine the two-state solution, and confiscate more lands to build new settlement housing units in the occupied West Bank, where the so-called “Supreme Planning Council” affiliated to the Israeli Civil Administration approved on Oct. 10th the construction of 2342 new housing units, bringing the number of settlement units planned by the Netanyahu government to 8,337 units, an increase of nearly 50% compared to the year 2018.
Among the settlements that the Occupation Authorities intend to expand is the “Bracha settlement” that is adjacent to the city of Nablus from the south, where 207 settlement units will be built there, the “Dolev settlement” built on the lands of the Jniya village, where 382 settlement units, and “Mofot settlement,” where 182 housing units will be built, too.
Under the pretext of the construction of the wall that Israel has begun to build in June 2002 in the Jenin Governorate in the West Bank, the Israeli army has also announced new confiscation orders for hundreds of dunums in Jenin and Tulkarem Governorates for the construction of the annexation and separation wall, where the Israeli Occupation Authorities have handed over orders of confiscating of 409 dunums of the lands of the towns of Ya’bad, Barta’a, Tora, Waifeen, Al-Arqah, Zebda, Nazlet Zaid and Sahr-Abed in Jenin, and they also informed of the seizure of 3,000 dunams of land east of Yatta south of Hebron, extending from Khirbet Menzel, to the Arabs of the Jahalin on the outskirts of the Dead Sea.
On the other hand, the Israeli Minister of Transportation, Smutrich began implementing his plan to build new streets and activate trains and public transport regularly with the aim of contributing to the imposition of sovereignty on these areas. A total of NIS one billion has been allocated for the tunnel plan between Jerusalem and Gush Etzion. And soon a bypass road around the Al-Aroub Camp north of Hebron will be opened at a cost of NIS 800,000,000.
Moreover, the Israeli Government has opened with the presence of the mayor of Jerusalem and the chief rabbis of Israel, the first underground cemetery in the occupied Jerusalem, it is the first of such in the world. The project includes the construction of about 24,000 graves at a depth of 50 meters underground, in the first phase, about 8,000 burial graves expected to be available for burial at the end of 2019.
The National Bureau for Defending Land and Resisting Settlements said in its latest weekly report , that the Israeli right-wing Government and the extremist settlers continue their policies to undermine the two-state solution, and confiscate more lands to build new settlement housing units in the occupied West Bank, where the so-called “Supreme Planning Council” affiliated to the Israeli Civil Administration approved on Oct. 10th the construction of 2342 new housing units, bringing the number of settlement units planned by the Netanyahu government to 8,337 units, an increase of nearly 50% compared to the year 2018.
Among the settlements that the Occupation Authorities intend to expand is the “Bracha settlement” that is adjacent to the city of Nablus from the south, where 207 settlement units will be built there, the “Dolev settlement” built on the lands of the Jniya village, where 382 settlement units, and “Mofot settlement,” where 182 housing units will be built, too.
Under the pretext of the construction of the wall that Israel has begun to build in June 2002 in the Jenin Governorate in the West Bank, the Israeli army has also announced new confiscation orders for hundreds of dunums in Jenin and Tulkarem Governorates for the construction of the annexation and separation wall, where the Israeli Occupation Authorities have handed over orders of confiscating of 409 dunums of the lands of the towns of Ya’bad, Barta’a, Tora, Waifeen, Al-Arqah, Zebda, Nazlet Zaid and Sahr-Abed in Jenin, and they also informed of the seizure of 3,000 dunams of land east of Yatta south of Hebron, extending from Khirbet Menzel, to the Arabs of the Jahalin on the outskirts of the Dead Sea.
On the other hand, the Israeli Minister of Transportation, Smutrich began implementing his plan to build new streets and activate trains and public transport regularly with the aim of contributing to the imposition of sovereignty on these areas. A total of NIS one billion has been allocated for the tunnel plan between Jerusalem and Gush Etzion. And soon a bypass road around the Al-Aroub Camp north of Hebron will be opened at a cost of NIS 800,000,000.
Moreover, the Israeli Government has opened with the presence of the mayor of Jerusalem and the chief rabbis of Israel, the first underground cemetery in the occupied Jerusalem, it is the first of such in the world. The project includes the construction of about 24,000 graves at a depth of 50 meters underground, in the first phase, about 8,000 burial graves expected to be available for burial at the end of 2019.
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said Tuesday that the peace in the Middle East could not be achieved without enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their legitimate rights.
Addressing the Shura Council, Sheikh Tamim emphasized that among the Palestinian rights is “the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with east Jerusalem as its capital, as stated by the resolutions of the international legitimacy and the Arab peace initiative.”
He also described the steps taken by some regional countries to normalize their relations with Israel without a just solution to the Palestinian question as “a mere illusion.”
Addressing the Shura Council, Sheikh Tamim emphasized that among the Palestinian rights is “the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with east Jerusalem as its capital, as stated by the resolutions of the international legitimacy and the Arab peace initiative.”
He also described the steps taken by some regional countries to normalize their relations with Israel without a just solution to the Palestinian question as “a mere illusion.”
5 nov 2019
The European Union (EU), on Tuesday, denounced Israeli plans to build thousands of new housing units as well as opening settlement roads in the occupied West Bank and stressed that all settlement activities are illegal under international law.
“In October 2019, Israeli authorities approved the advancement of well over 2,000 housing units in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank,” said an EU spokesperson in a statement.
“The European Union’s position on Israeli settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territory is clear and remains unchanged: all settlement activity is illegal under international law and it erodes the viability of the two-state solution and the prospects for a lasting peace, as reaffirmed by UN Security Council Resolution 2334.”
The spokesperson also stressed that construction of separate roads for settlers and Palestinians entrenches fragmentation of the West Bank.
“Israeli authorities also approved a building permit for the construction of a new tunnel road, which bypasses Bethlehem to the west. The progressive construction of a separate road network, connecting settlements and outposts to each other and to the road network in Israel while circumventing Palestinian towns and communities, is entrenching the fragmentation of the West Bank.”
The EU called on Israel “to end all settlement activity, in line with its obligations as an occupying power.”
It said that it “will continue to support a resumption of a meaningful process towards a negotiated two-state solution, the only realistic and viable way to fulfill the legitimate aspirations of both parties.”
“In October 2019, Israeli authorities approved the advancement of well over 2,000 housing units in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank,” said an EU spokesperson in a statement.
“The European Union’s position on Israeli settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territory is clear and remains unchanged: all settlement activity is illegal under international law and it erodes the viability of the two-state solution and the prospects for a lasting peace, as reaffirmed by UN Security Council Resolution 2334.”
The spokesperson also stressed that construction of separate roads for settlers and Palestinians entrenches fragmentation of the West Bank.
“Israeli authorities also approved a building permit for the construction of a new tunnel road, which bypasses Bethlehem to the west. The progressive construction of a separate road network, connecting settlements and outposts to each other and to the road network in Israel while circumventing Palestinian towns and communities, is entrenching the fragmentation of the West Bank.”
The EU called on Israel “to end all settlement activity, in line with its obligations as an occupying power.”
It said that it “will continue to support a resumption of a meaningful process towards a negotiated two-state solution, the only realistic and viable way to fulfill the legitimate aspirations of both parties.”
4 nov 2019
Likud MK Sharren Haskel
Sharren Heskel's bill, if implemented, would bring the Jordan Valley territory under full Israeli sovereignty, permit Palestinians living in area to apply for Israeli citizenship within decade, provided they meet certain criteria
A Likud MK is pushign legislation to hold Prime MInister Benjamin Netanyhau to a campaign pledge to annex parts of the West Bank.
Sharren Haskel was to set propose a bill on Monday that would calls for the eastern side of the Jordan Valley to be brought under full Israeli sovereignty.
Several days before the election campaigns officially kicked off, Netanyahu called a press conference at which he stated that when re-elected, he would work to implement full sovereignty over the Jordan Valley, citing security concerns.
Blue and White officials scoffed at the statement, saying: "The citizens of the Jordan Valley are not props for Netanyahu's propaganda."
The party added: "Blue and White already stated that the Jordan Valley is eternal part of Israel. Netanyahu was the person behind a plan to hand over the territory (to the Palestinians) back in 2014."
Haskel's bill proposal would permit Palestinian residents in the territory to apply for Israeli citizenship within ten years of its implementation, provided they were not charged in the past with any security offenses and have not publicly called for a boycott against Israel.
"It's time to make the residents of the Jordan Valley legal Israeli citizens, thus kick-starting the development and prosperity of the region," said Haskel on Sunday.
"The communities of the Jordan Valley and their residents are a strategic resource of the highest order for Israel," she said.
"There is a wide consensus today about the region, following the long-awaited U.S. president's recognition of the Golan Heights as under Israeli sovereignty. It is time to do the same with the Jordan Valley.
"After Blue and White leader Benny Gantz proposed to do the same, I call upon him and my fellow party members to support my proposal."
New Right MK Ayelet Shaked proposed a similar bill Sunday, regarding the Gush Etzion bloc of settlements and Ma'ale Adumim settlement in the West Bank.
"We have in our hands a diplomatic window of opportunity and the support of the U.S. for such an action, an opportunity that will not last for long. We must not hesitate or delay," said Shaked on Sunday.
Sharren Heskel's bill, if implemented, would bring the Jordan Valley territory under full Israeli sovereignty, permit Palestinians living in area to apply for Israeli citizenship within decade, provided they meet certain criteria
A Likud MK is pushign legislation to hold Prime MInister Benjamin Netanyhau to a campaign pledge to annex parts of the West Bank.
Sharren Haskel was to set propose a bill on Monday that would calls for the eastern side of the Jordan Valley to be brought under full Israeli sovereignty.
Several days before the election campaigns officially kicked off, Netanyahu called a press conference at which he stated that when re-elected, he would work to implement full sovereignty over the Jordan Valley, citing security concerns.
Blue and White officials scoffed at the statement, saying: "The citizens of the Jordan Valley are not props for Netanyahu's propaganda."
The party added: "Blue and White already stated that the Jordan Valley is eternal part of Israel. Netanyahu was the person behind a plan to hand over the territory (to the Palestinians) back in 2014."
Haskel's bill proposal would permit Palestinian residents in the territory to apply for Israeli citizenship within ten years of its implementation, provided they were not charged in the past with any security offenses and have not publicly called for a boycott against Israel.
"It's time to make the residents of the Jordan Valley legal Israeli citizens, thus kick-starting the development and prosperity of the region," said Haskel on Sunday.
"The communities of the Jordan Valley and their residents are a strategic resource of the highest order for Israel," she said.
"There is a wide consensus today about the region, following the long-awaited U.S. president's recognition of the Golan Heights as under Israeli sovereignty. It is time to do the same with the Jordan Valley.
"After Blue and White leader Benny Gantz proposed to do the same, I call upon him and my fellow party members to support my proposal."
New Right MK Ayelet Shaked proposed a similar bill Sunday, regarding the Gush Etzion bloc of settlements and Ma'ale Adumim settlement in the West Bank.
"We have in our hands a diplomatic window of opportunity and the support of the U.S. for such an action, an opportunity that will not last for long. We must not hesitate or delay," said Shaked on Sunday.
Israel seized 2522 dunums in the occupied West Bank in favor of the construction of illegal settlements, said municipal sources and a cartographer.
Mayor of Al-Jab'a Dhyab Masha'la told WAFA that several Palestinian farmers entered their olive groves adjacent to the nearby illegal settlement of Eli, and were shocked to find Israeli military orders informing them of Israel’s plan to seize their olive groves, which occupy an area of 2,000 dunams (494 acres).
Meanwhile, Israeli forces posted military orders to seize 372 dunams (92 acres) of land in the southern West Bank district of Hebron.
Palestinian cartographer Abdul-Hadi Hantash told WAFA that the so-called “commander of the Israeli military” issued a military order to seize 129 dunums (32 acres) of land belonging to Adh-Dhahiriya and As-Samou' towns, south of Hebron.
Mayor of Surif town, Mohammad Adwan, that Palestinian farmers went this morning to pick their olive groves near the encroaching Israeli settlement of Bet Ayn, but found notices to seize 243 (60 acres) dunams of their groves. The land owner was identified as the Ghneimat family.
In the meantime, the Office of Beit Liqya, a town to the southwest of Ramallah city, confirmed that Israeli forces handed them a military order to seize approximately 150 dunams (37 acres) of Palestinian land located to the south of the town and adjacent to the section of Israel’s apartheid wall.
Mayor of Al-Jab'a Dhyab Masha'la told WAFA that several Palestinian farmers entered their olive groves adjacent to the nearby illegal settlement of Eli, and were shocked to find Israeli military orders informing them of Israel’s plan to seize their olive groves, which occupy an area of 2,000 dunams (494 acres).
Meanwhile, Israeli forces posted military orders to seize 372 dunams (92 acres) of land in the southern West Bank district of Hebron.
Palestinian cartographer Abdul-Hadi Hantash told WAFA that the so-called “commander of the Israeli military” issued a military order to seize 129 dunums (32 acres) of land belonging to Adh-Dhahiriya and As-Samou' towns, south of Hebron.
Mayor of Surif town, Mohammad Adwan, that Palestinian farmers went this morning to pick their olive groves near the encroaching Israeli settlement of Bet Ayn, but found notices to seize 243 (60 acres) dunams of their groves. The land owner was identified as the Ghneimat family.
In the meantime, the Office of Beit Liqya, a town to the southwest of Ramallah city, confirmed that Israeli forces handed them a military order to seize approximately 150 dunams (37 acres) of Palestinian land located to the south of the town and adjacent to the section of Israel’s apartheid wall.
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