Israeli Defence Minister: Obama Administration 'Won't Be Around Forever'

[Purveyor]

Source: Guardian UK

-Moshe Yaalon says US criticism has slowed settlement building
-‘We are very, very careful not to push the envelope too much’

Associated Press in Jerusalem
Wednesday 10 December 2014 11.30 EST

US criticism of Israel’s settlement policies has slowed down construction in the West Bank, Israel’s defence minister said in comments broadcast on Wednesday, adding that he hopes the slowdown will be “temporary” because the Obama administration “won’t be around forever”.

The minister, Moshe Yaalon, has previously derided US peace efforts in the Middle East, calling the secretary of state, John Kerry, “obsessive” and “messianic”. Those comments rankled Washington officials and stoked tensions with Israel’s most important ally.

Speaking on Tuesday at a Jewish seminary in the West Bank, Yaalon said Israel wants to build more settlement housing but that global criticism, led by the United States, has prompted restraint.
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“The United States has led the charge,” Yaalon said. “We are very, very careful not to push the envelope too much … This [US] administration won’t be around forever and I hope it is temporary.”


Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/10/israeli-defence-minister-obama-administration-wont-be-around-forever?CMP=twt_gu

[DaDeacon]

1. LOL, With friends like these, do we need enemies...{/nt}

[okaawhatever]

2. What a d-bag. I now have another reason to desperately work for a Democratic President in

2016. I say let's keep a liberal in the White House until the neo-cons are out of office in Israel. Two can play this game, I'm willing to wait out Bibi's administration.

[NewDeal_Dem]

7. But when will the neocons be out of power here?

[pampango]

9. You may disagree with Mr. Yaalon on that. n/t

[Sunlei]

3. all that new housing and very easy to get in mortgages. No wonder something like 60 republicans

have a free trip to Israel in January. (paid for by one of their 'political charities) Hey boys,a lot of profit to be made when the bubble bursts.

[geek tragedy]

4. our friends the Israelis nt

[Adrahil]

11. I was going to post the same thing.

They think we're just a cash machine. Fuck them. Cut off all funding NOW.

[sakabatou]

5. Well of course it won't be around forever

It changes every 4 to 8 years. What an idiot.

[Judi Lynn]

8. He's probably proud as punch for thinking it up, too. Probably had a migraine afterward. n/t

[DavidDvorkin]

6. Neither will Netanyahu.

[Enrique]

10. his premise is that U.S. opposition to settlements is an Obama policy

I hear the same insinuation from right-wing liars here in the U.S.

In fact Obama has the same policy as every previous president, of both parties.

[Arkana]

13. Oh dear, Israel's feelings are hurt

because we're not kissing their asses enough?