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The Curious State Department Announcement on Israeli Settlements

(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Alan Baker - In its July 27, 2016, report on "Recent Israeli Settlement Announcements," the U.S. State Department's description is a sad, disproportionate, political exaggeration, out of all proportion to settlements' actual size or significance. This massive frontal attack, as if nothing but settlements is preventing peace, belies reality. The State Department should be aware that nothing in the Oslo Accords prevents planning, zoning and construction activity by either side in the West Bank areas under their respective control. The State Department's repeated questioning of the legality of Israel's settlement activity and Israel's claims regarding Jerusalem, in fact, prejudge these central negotiating issues and play into the Palestinian and European denials of Israel's rights. As such, the State Department statements are the very antithesis of any peace negotiation process. Above all, in fixating on settlements, the State Department is deliberately turning a blind eye to the mortal danger of Islamic terror and hatred of Jews that permeate Palestinian society. By the same token, the State Department is giving sanction to the EU and the UN to exacerbate their hostile policies against Israel. Amb. Alan Baker, former legal adviser and deputy director-general of Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated in the negotiation and drafting of the Oslo Accords with the Palestinians.
2016-08-02 00:00:00
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