Netanyahu hails U.S. retreat on settlement freeze demands

[azurnoir]

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed on Monday a U.S. decision to drop efforts to achieve a construction freeze on Israeli settlements and focus on resolving core issues of the Middle East conflict.

"To reach peace, we have to discuss the issues that are truly delaying peace ... I welcome the fact that we will now begin discussing these issues and try to narrow gaps," Netanyahu said in a speech to an economic forum, hours before a U.S. envoy George Mitchell was due to arrive in Israel.

In the speech, Netanyahu cited issues such as his demand that Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state, security arrangements and the future of Palestinian refugees.

Mitchell will meet with Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday evening to put forth U.S. ideas for moving the peace process forward.

Mitchell is expected to make clear to Netanyahu that the Obama administration wants the prime minister to take a position in the coming weeks on the core issues, with an emphasis on borders.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-hails-u-s-retreat-on-settlement-freeze-demands-1.330368

[snappyturtle]

1. Great.

:sarcasm:

[Taverner]

2. Fuck the Likud

Israeli Fascist scum is all they are

[shaayecanaan]

3. Hah!

"Mitchell is expected to make clear to Netanyahu that the Obama administration wants the prime minister to take a position in the coming weeks on the core issues, with an emphasis on borders."

Or what, exactly? Perhaps the US will express its "disappointment" again? Given President Obama's lack of ticker and his willingness to run from a fight I can't see this threat being backed up at all.

[Jefferson23]

4. The U.S. dropping their effort ( if you can call it one) to achieve a

construction freeze and they'll now focus on core issues. If this wasn't so serious it would be hilarious.

I'm sure Bibi is shaking in his boots.