Israeli settlement Move Doesn’t Go Far Enough

Israel’s offer to freeze settlement building in the occupied West Bank for 10 months does not go far enough, Russia’s foreign ministry said on Thursday, urging a full stop to construction.

The offer, made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, could help the Israeli-Palestinian peace process “on the condition that it is followed by further steps,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

“What is needed is a full stop to settlement activity, including ‘natural growth’, related to all the occupied Palestinian territories, including east Jerusalem,” it said.

Netanyahu on Wednesday offered to freeze new building projects in the West Bank for 10 months, but excluded the construction of public buildings and all construction within mostly Arab east Jerusalem.

Admins Comment(s):

Will the settlement construction freeze announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strengthen Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, or is the effort doomed to fail? And who is the move directed at?

According to former National Security Council head Giora Eiland, “It’s clear that this was a request by the Palestinians for a gesture to Abu Mazen (Abbas). But if you ask me, the gesture here is towards the Americans – not towards Abu Mazen.”

This alleged 10 month freeze is nothing because it will still permit public buildings and settlement expansion in Jerusalem.

Israeli’s are playing games once again.