U.S. Now Said to Support Growth for Some West Bank Settlements -NYT

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 - The Bush administration, moving to lend political support to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon at a time of political turmoil, has modified its policy and signaled approval of growth in at least some Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, American and Israeli officials say.

In the latest modification of American policy, the administration now supports construction of new apartments in areas already built up in some settlements, as long as the expansion does not extend outward to undeveloped parts of the West Bank, according to the officials.

The new policy has not been enunciated publicly. It came to light this week when Mr. Sharon's government announced that 1,001 new bids for construction would be issued for subsidized apartments for settlers in the occupied territories.
...
The new American statements this week reflected "a covert policy decision toward accepting natural growth" of some settlements, despite repeated past statements, according to the official.
Some American officials acknowledged, in addition, that President Bush was reluctant to criticize Israel during his re-election campaign, which is counting on support from conservative supporters of Israel.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/21/politics/21diplo.html?hp

[wtmusic]

1. Growth "as long as the expansion does not extend outward"

Let's see...that leaves upward and downward :crazy:

[teryang]

2. they hate us for our freedom!

Who cares what Arabs think. WTF.

[Speed8098]

3. What is the deal?

I honestly don't understand how we can continue to support the actions of Sharon.

This is such a mess.

I condemn the bombings of civilian targets by the Palestinians.
I also condemn the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land.

I wonder how we would react if we were put in the same position as the Palestinians.

Would we just let the encroachment onto our land happen, or would we fight back in any manner available?

I understand the anger of the Israeli citizens. I feel sorry for them over the fear they must feel each time they decide to go out in public. The chance of being a victim of a suicide bomber seems pretty high.

On the other hand, I feel sympathy for the Palestinians for the obvious attempt by the Israeli government to eradicate them from their homes.

I think it's time we cut the umbilical cord with Israel.

Our strong alliance seems to be breeding more and more terror.

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm not.

Your thoughts?

[UpInArms]

4. related article: US Changes West Bank Policy to Help Sharon: NYTimes

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=6034929

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Bush administration has signaled approval of growth in some Israeli settlements in the West Bank in a policy change aimed at helping Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the New York Times said on Saturday.

The paper quoted unnamed officials as saying the administration now supported construction of new homes in some settlements as long as the expansion does not extend into undeveloped parts of the occupied territory.

<snip>

The paper quoted a Bush administration official as saying Washington had decided not to compound Sharon's political troubles at a time when he was battling hard-liners.

"Some American officials acknowledged, in addition, that President Bush was reluctant to criticize Israel during his re-election campaign, which is counting on support from conservative supporters of Israel," the paper reported.

...the last line of this article is pretty interesting...

[teryang]

5. U.S "laughing stock"

<"The Israeli government is exploiting the U.S. election campaign and is turning the U.S. administration into a laughing stock by continuing to build in the settlements," he said.>

Tail wags dog. The American defense contractors and oil companies need a provocative pro-Israeli policy to continue a policy of destabilization and conquest of mid east energy resources.

It's a money maker.