'This Time, Israel Has Defied the Whole World'

[Purveyor]

One might think that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Wednesday visit to Berlin could provide for some fireworks. He has come under significant criticism from the European Union for Israel's announcement last Friday that it would build 3,000 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Britain and France denied reports on Monday that they were considering recalling their ambassadors from Israel, though both nations, in addition to Sweden, did vent their anger by summoning the Israeli ambassadors to voice their concerns.

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Furthermore, despite Merkel's own warning on the settlement construction plan -- her spokesman said on Monday that the chancellor was "extremely concerned" -- it seems more likely that the experienced stateswoman would chide Netanyahu in private rather than openly.

Still, anger is widespread in Europe at the Israeli plan, announced shortly after the United Nations voted last week to grant the Palestinians "non-member observer status," essentially recognizing a state of Palestine. In addition to the settlement program, Israel also announced it would withhold more than $100 million in tax revenue due the Palestinians this month in response.

Further Steps?

"We deplore the recent Israeli decision to build 3,000 new housing units," the British Foreign Office said on Monday.

The Palestinians, too, are seeking to use their newfound status to exert pressure on Israel to halt the settlement expansion plan. Having been granted UN observer status, the Palestinians now have access to the International Criminal Court -- and on Tuesday they threatened to pursue war crimes charges against Israel should the construction go ahead.

MORE...

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-commentators-blast-israel-for-settlement-building-plan-a-870924.html

[teddy51]

1. I currently think that the rest of the world should be real nervous about the fact that

Israel has Nukes that are in Netanyahu's hands. This man is very scary IMO.

[ArcticFox]

2. So true

And is it so hard to fathom some nuke making it's way from NK toward Iran, via China and the Stans, e.g?

[John2]

3. Especially

hen they collaborated with that Apartheid government from South Africa in the past. I count that as a negative on their Government's decision making. They seem to be doing the same thing that Government did in South Africa with the Palestinians. We should demand Netanyahu stop now! And our Government needs to stop speaking out both sides of their mouths.

[The Stranger]

4. Israel has Nukes -- yeah, so what -- what about universal health care?

[center rising]

5. Netanyahu isn't going to use nukes, don't be silly!!

[teddy51]

6. Netanyahu, responds to no one! He seems to be a force of his own making.

My hope is that Livni wins this election and gets this nut case the hell out of Israel.