US drops demand for Israeli settlement freeze

[The Straight Story]

US drops demand for Israeli settlement freeze

Signalling an end to the brief flirtation with the Palestinian cause, the US secretary of state flew to Jerusalem to voice full American support for Israel and its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

In an effort to repair badly strained US-Israeli relations, she heaped praise on Mr Netanyahu, lauding his offer to limit settlement construction – even though it falls well short of President Obama's original demands.

She said: "What the prime minister has offered in specifics on restraints on a policy of settlements... is unprecedented in the context of prior to negotiations."

Risking the ire of the Arab world, she also joined Israeli calls for an immediate Palestinian return to the negotiating table without preconditions.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/6480482/US-drops-demand-for-Israeli-settlement-freeze.html

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. That's disappointing, but expected. (nt)

[Poll_Blind]

2. FAIL. n/t

PB

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. It's a great day for glorious compromises with the right wing at home and abroad.

[chimpymustgo]

6. I'm numb with anger. I guess resistance is futile.

[elias49]

4. Another wimp-out.

:puke:

[no_hypocrisy]

5. Was that part of the deal with Boehner?

[Ichingcarpenter]

7. Yeah.... that's worth a Nobel Prize for Peace.

.......... Geez

[Scurrilous]

8. Obama obviously loves the settlements.

He should move there!!1!

[Purveyor]

9. So does israel still get the $3 billion in free warplanes? eom

[ArcticFox]

12. That was my first thought

And I'm almost certain that they do.

[Purveyor]

14. I'd put my money on that bet, too! eom

[ArcticFox]

13. duplicate removed

[nichomachus]

10. Wow -- "Cave Week" just keeps getting better n/t

[Hell Hath No Fury]

11. I think I can only do this --

:banghead: for only so long before I get a concussion.

[Karmadillo]

15. This administration sucks so bad it's soon going to have no choice but to start another war.

nt