U.S.: Possible UN censure of settlements 'not helpful' to peace process

[azurnoir]

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be resolved through direct peace negotiations, not by submitting resolutions to the UN Security Council condemning Israeli settlements, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday.

The United States has opposed a move by Arab countries to bring a resolution condemning the settlement, but has not said it would use its veto to block passage.

Clinton told reporters the issue needs to be resolved through direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians, even as the United States has also condemned continued settlement construction.

"We dont see action in the United Nations or any other forum as being helpful in bringing about that desired outcome," she said, before adding that the United States is "working to keep the focus where we think it needs to be, and thats not in New York."

Early indications are the resolution, tabled on Wednesday had nearly unanimous support, but it likely will not come to a vote for a few weeks.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/u-s-possible-un-censure-of-settlements-not-helpful-to-peace-process-1.338303

[azurnoir]

1. fasinating that this issue that is so central to the on going 'debate'

on this forum is ignored while things that I guess some consider more important such as the PA jailing a Hamas reporter, and Israel shooting an Israeli Arab who may have been trying to harm IDF or perhaps simply did not notice the 'flying' or movable checkpoint are discussed at length

[oberliner]

2. Responding to your own posts - has it come to that?

We really do appear to be the only one's left posting around here!

[azurnoir]

3. geez I thought it was a long honored tradition here

lord knows I've seen it before