British PM demands end to Israel settlements

[NeoConsSuck]

Source: cnn.com

BETHLEHEM (AP) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown demanded Sunday that Israel cease settlement construction and promised more money to jump-start the battered Palestinian economy.

In his first trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories as Britain's leader, Brown repeatedly stressed that economics are key to Mideast peace and said Israel should ease travel restrictions in the West Bank that have hindered commerce.

But his strongest comments were reserved for the settlements: "I think the whole European Union is very clear on this matter: We want to see a freeze on settlements.

"Settlement expansion has made peace harder to achieve. It erodes trust; it heightens Palestinian suffering; it makes the compromises Israel needs to make for peace more difficult," Brown said at a news conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank town of Bethlehem.

Abbas went further in his criticism of Israel's construction in disputed east Jerusalem and the adjacent West Bank, telling Brown that Israel lacks commitment to the "principles and spirit" of Mideast peace efforts. He singled out stepped-up construction of homes for Jews in areas of Jerusalem the Palestinians claim for their capital.



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/07/20/brown.israel.ap/index.html

[jeff30997]

1. Yeah...

I'm sure that the Israeli Right wingers were not laughing like crazy when they heard that one.

[FreakinDJ]

2. About time some body said some thing

all be it it will fall upon deaf ears as they can buy all the influence they need here in America to prop them up when they do some thing wrong

[Zhade]

3. Indeed.

Wonder how long until this article gets hidden away in the dungeon...

[Prophet 451]

4. Won't matter

I agree with Brown on this one but he's on borrowed time politically over here.

[LeftishBrit]

7. True...

and more importantly, perhaps, so is Olmert. Many Israelis would support a settlement freeze as well; but if Netanyahu gets in, then all bets are off as to what will happen.

[Voltaire99]

5. Rather bolder than the AIPAC poodle we've got.

[Leftist Agitator]

6. But the rightist Zionists said that Gawd give 'em that thar land!

:sarcasm:

[LeftishBrit]

8. Actually, that's only a minority even of right-wing Israelis

Most right-wingers argue that they need it for security; have a right to it because they won the war; would be more vulnerable to terrorism if they give it up; etc.

I disagree with them, and think they're making Israel LESS secure, and interfering with the chances of peace in the region; but on the whole, it's only a rather loony minority who claim it on religious grounds.