UN political chief criticizes Israel for new settlement plans

[webfact]

UN political chief criticizes Israel for new settlement plans
English.news.cn

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- UN political chief on Wednesday said Israel's new settlement plans in East Jerusalem threaten the viability of the future Palestinian state, urging meaningful negotiations toward the goal of a two-state solution.

Briefing the Security Council on the situation in Jerusalem, Jeffrey Feltman, UN under-secretary-general for political affairs, acknowledged that recent heightened tensions over unilateral actions, provocations and access restrictions at holy sites in Jerusalem are contributing to a volatile situation.

Wednesday's emergency meeting was requested by Jordan after tensions revived between Arabs and Jews over Israel's announcement on Monday to build some 1,000 new settlement units in occupied East Jerusalem.

The development follows Israel's decision at the end of September to accelerate the progress of constructing some 2,600 residential units in Givat Hamatos, also in East Jerusalem.

"If pursued, these plans would once again raise grave doubts about Israel's commitment to achieving durable peace with the Palestinians as the new settlements threaten the very viability of the future State of Palestine," Feltman said.

Reiterating the call of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for respecting the religious freedom of all, Feltman said Ban would be "closely following" developments in sacred places that have significance to millions of people around the world.

"The reality is that continued settlement activity in occupied Palestinian territory is doing significant damage to any possibility of a lasting peace between the two sides and is moving the situation ever closer to a one-state reality," he said.

Full story: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2014-10/30/c_133752226.htm

-- Xinhua 2014-10-30

[Clutch]

More Illegal settlements = more rockets. Tit for tat show continues.

[Seastallion]

More Illegal settlements = more rockets. Tit for tat show continues.

Hopefully, very soon, the international community will do more than just critisise all the illegal acts of Israel.

It was clear on this forum, to both sides of the argument, that under Netanyahu, Israel was showing it's desire to NOT have a treaty. It is clear in the UN too, judging by the diplomatic speech in the article.

Hopefully these sort of diplomatic speeches are the forerunner to action.

The fact that the emergency meeting was called by Jordan is interesting. Is Jordan acting for Fatah or is there something very sinister brewing that will affect Jordan. Is Jordan contemplating a new surge of refugees?

[coma]

In suppose Israel won't stop these settlement for the sake of global peace. Selfish Israel rears its ugly head once again.

[Jingthing]

Back the OP, supposing the two state solution never happens and a "one state reality" is made permanent. What does that mean exactly for both Jews and Arabs? I really don't know.

[coma]

Back the OP, supposing the two state solution never happens and a "one state reality" is made permanent. What does that mean exactly for both Jews and Arabs? I really don't know.

The region and the world will never have peace again.

[waynethor]

It's good to know that more and more people are seeing Israel for the rogue and harmful place it is. (I intentionally didn't use the word nation or country because they don't deserve that status). The last thing that $#&% place wants is to have an official peace policy that draws new borders because they intend to continue expanding in the area like a plague. Agreeing to a peace plan with new boundaries would only get in their way.

I suspect we'll soon see one of the US TVF members beginning with the letter 'U' to chime in here to defend all the atrocities committed by Israel. That place just extends it's proverbial middle finger to the rest of the world because the US is there to protect it and unfortunately always will be -- for all the wrong reasons.

That seems really mean spirited and suspect. So is Israel (oh, let me check, the one and only nation state with a JEWISH majority) the only country with controversial policies that you bend over backwards to insult by not calling them a nation or country? Sorry, we see this all the time. Israel demonization to the point of hateful irrationality.

Controversial policies??? That goes way beyond sugar coating the actions of Israel.

Yes, I very strongly disagree with the actions of Israel. They were given what they wanted in the 50's, and all agreed on the boundaries of the place, but they've completely ignored that and aggressively taken whatever they want. That's not being a good global partner.

But I'm out of this argument because just like the Middle East, we can talk and talk but will never come to an agreement, so let's be civilized here and just agree to disagree.

[Jingthing]

Back the OP, supposing the two state solution never happens and a "one state reality" is made permanent. What does that mean exactly for both Jews and Arabs? I really don't know.

The region and the world will never have peace again.

That's an easy prediction about the world ... always seems to be some wars going on.

About the region ... I'm no optimist but never is a long time!

Edited October 30, 2014 by Jingthing

[Scott]

Off-topic, inflammatory posts and replies removed.

[pumpuy]

"If pursued, these plans would once again raise grave doubts about Israel's commitment to achieving durable peace with the Palestinians as the new settlements threaten the very viability of the future State of Palestine," Feltman said.

They do not want peace , and they do not want a palestinian state , everybody knows by now ...!

[retarius]

What is it about stealing land and building settlements on it that Zionists don't understand? And if anybody disagrees they jump up and say it is because of anti-semitism. It has nothing to do with anti-semitism and everything to do with some respect for the international law and some decency towards humanity.

[Jingthing]

What is it about stealing land and building settlements on it that Zionists don't understand? And if anybody disagrees they jump up and say it is because of anti-semitism. It has nothing to do with anti-semitism and everything to do with some respect for the international law and some decency towards humanity.

Nobody here has said just saying you're against building new west bank settlements makes you antisemitic.

[Jingthing]

"If pursued, these plans would once again raise grave doubts about Israel's commitment to achieving durable peace with the Palestinians as the new settlements threaten the very viability of the future State of Palestine," Feltman said.

They do not want peace , and they do not want a palestinian state , everybody knows by now ...!

The Palestinians do not want Israel to be a state ... everybody knows that.

[Wat dee]

Sweden did the right thing,rest of the Europa needs to follow and recognize Palestine.

[Jingthing]

Sweden did the right thing,rest of the Europa needs to follow and recognize Palestine.

No need to consult Israel, eh?

Not sure what this "right thing" is supposed to be for, because it's certainly not at all helpful to bringing about a peaceful two state solution.

The most popular party in West Bank and Gaza is radical Jihadist terrorist Hamas and the majority of "Palestinians" are in favor of violence against Israel.

It's hilarious to me that European "liberal progressives" think doing the "right thing" is to give further international credibility to the incredibly non-progressive Hamas movement. Even funnier when Jews, gays, and feminist women fall for this trendy "Free Palestine River to the sea" Hamas movement, in other words wipe out Israel. Understood from Islamists, of course, welcome to Middle East politics.

This is a recipe for more war, much more war. Thank you very much, Sweden, and it's ilk.

Also while I don't agree with building more "settlements" people are deluding themselves if that actually believe that stopping new settlements would mean most Palestinians would magically recognize the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish state. The settlements issue is a crutch. Look at what happened when Israel left Gaza, did that bring peace? Duh.

Edited October 30, 2014 by Jingthing

[NeverSure]

The so-called Palestine has never been a nation/state. The reason it isn't accepted is because it's a terrorist group. There was the PLO under Arafat and there is Hamas...

Try that one out on the UK or the US. Settle a bunch of terrorists on the border who lob rockets in and commit themselves to the destruction of the UK or US.

Now watch and see what happens.

[MW72]

The so-called Palestine has never been a nation/state. The reason it isn't accepted is because it's a terrorist group. There was the PLO under Arafat and there is Hamas...

Try that one out on the UK or the US. Settle a bunch of terrorists on the border who lob rockets in and commit themselves to the destruction of the UK or US.

Now watch and see what happens.

70% of UN member states recognise the "so called" state of Palestine. Even the Pope does.

I wonder how the native Americans felt about those white guys who first rocked up on the shores of the new world all those years ago. At least the Palestinians have been there for thousands of years. Seems only fair that they would like a home of their own, after all the whole area was known as Palestine before the UN created the so called state of Israel in 1947.

Sent from my KFTT using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[japsportscarmad]

The so-called Palestine has never been a nation/state. The reason it isn't accepted is because it's a terrorist group. There was the PLO under Arafat and there is Hamas...

Try that one out on the UK or the US. Settle a bunch of terrorists on the border who lob rockets in and commit themselves to the destruction of the UK or US.

Now watch and see what happens.

Do you know how the current State of Israel was formed?

Do you know how many British people and Palestinians were murdered by cowardly zionist terrorists I won't use the word jew as they were zionists although were of the Jewish faith. Furthermore, these terrorist cowards are revered as heros in Israel, have never faced prison or sanction but we're clearly cowards and murderers.

Do you know Palestine was a state before modern Israel was even conceived yes a state with laws and rules and general peace where Christians, Arabs and Jews lived together without too much trouble at all, shared the resources and respected the law, under British rule.

I best tell you so everyone knows a little about how the current conflict originated and why there is hatred.

Prior to the establishment of Israel, a terror (note the word terror) campaign against the British authority and Palestinian Arabs was carried out predominantly by two semi paramilitary organisations that supported Revisionist Zionist ideologies: Etzel (Irgun) and Lehi (Stern Gang). Both groups reflected the view of Zeev Jabotinsky that a sovereign Jewish state had to be created on both sides of the Jordan River, through violence or any means required.

Furthermore between 1939 and 1942, Etzel carried out over 60 terrorist attacks, killing more than 120 Palestinians and maiming hundreds more. In order to hasten British departure from Palestine. Significantly, Lehi operatives assassinated Lord Moyne, the minister resident in the Middle East, on November 6, 1944, in Cairo. On July 26, 1946, explosives planted by Etzel agents leveled the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, the administrative center of the British Mandatory authority, killing 91 Britons and injuring close to 500 people.

Who are the real terrorists? one mans terrorist is another mans hero and if someone had stolen my land, houses, farm, factory I might be a little more than just unhappy. Isreal always uses the rocket attacks as defence of its policies. However, in reality most of the rockets are little more than big fireworks that do little damage.

You might not like it but you can't re write history :-)

Edited October 30, 2014 by japsportscarmad

[Jingthing]

The so-called Palestine has never been a nation/state. The reason it isn't accepted is because it's a terrorist group. There was the PLO under Arafat and there is Hamas...

Try that one out on the UK or the US. Settle a bunch of terrorists on the border who lob rockets in and commit themselves to the destruction of the UK or US.

Now watch and see what happens.

Do you know how the current State of Israel was formed?

Do you know how many British people and Palestinians were murdered by cowardly Jewish terrorists some of whom are revered as heros in Isreal and have never faced prison or sanction but we're clearly cowards and murderers.

Do you know Palestine was a state before modern Israel was even conceived yes a state with laws and rules and general peace where Christians, Arabs and Jews lived together without too much trouble at all, shared the resources and respected the law, under British rule.

I best tell you so everyone knows a little about how the current conflict originated and why there is hatred.

Prior to the establishment of Israel, Jewish terror against the British authority and Palestinian Arabs was carried out predominantly by two semi paramilitary organisations that supported Revisionist Zionist ideologies: Etzel (Irgun) and Lehi (Stern Gang). Both groups reflected the view of Zeev Jabotinsky that a sovereign Jewish state had to be created on both sides of the Jordan River, through violence or any means required.

Furthermore between 1939 and 1942, Etzel carried out over 60 terrorist attacks, killing more than 120 Palestinians and maiming hundreds more. In order to hasten British departure from Palestine. Significantly, Lehi operatives assassinated Lord Moyne, the minister resident in the Middle East, on November 6, 1944, in Cairo. On July 26, 1946, explosives planted by Etzel agents leveled the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, the administrative center of the British Mandatory authority, killing 91 Britons and injuring close to 500 people.

Who are the real terrorists? one mans terrorist is another mans hero and if someone had stolen my land, houses, farm, factory I might be a little more than just unhappy. Isreal always uses the rocket attacks as defence of its policies. However, in reality most of the rockets are little more than big fireworks that do little damage.

You might not like it but you can't re write history :-)

So you're posing as a scholar on Jewish terrorism? Dude, if you're going to COPY large blocks of text that you didn't write (perhaps some people were actually fooled that you did write all that, but of course you didn't) you do need to post the source of the ACTUAL author. Thank you, sir.

Also Palestine was NEVER a state. That is a BIG LIE Israel demonizers try to push. British Mandate Palestine was not the state of Palestine. It was British Mandate Palestine, a GEOPOLITICAL ENTITY (again NOT a state) and before that a much bigger area than modern Israel, West Bank, and Gaza was ruled by the OTTOMAN EMPIRE. BTW, the Hebrew name for British Mandate Palestine included the term E.Y. ... ERETZ YISRAEL. Duh!

Edited October 30, 2014 by Jingthing

[japsportscarmad]

I am not demonising Israel at all. However, the argument on terrorism is a wide one isn't it as one mans terrorist is another mans hero. You use the term geopolitical entity seems you could define that as a state.

However, you are quiet correct it was part of the Ottoman Empire I.e. Arabs and Muslims, but was never Israel in its current form. I am not a Jewish scholar and would not pretend or want to be, but you can not deny the terrorist atrocities that led to the current state been set up. Unless, you are a revisionist historian like Ervine the convicted holocaust denier?

The problem is anyone daring to criticise Israel is always criticised by the Zionist apologists for been anti Semitic anti jew etc, and often facts are not always presented easily or fairly, and the debate just further demonises innocent Jews leading to unjustified hatred.

If there is any part of my comments regarding the terrorists acts committed or the groups I mention, then please feel free to correct it, with your sources as I know I am correct.

If your family had been on land for 100s of years and then you were kicked off how would you react? I know what I would do it would be letting it go easily. The occupied territories are also another thorny issue on top. Significantly, I see today that Soda Stream is pulling out following the well supported boycott of products from the region, which has plus and minus for the Palestinians in the area.

Edited October 30, 2014 by japsportscarmad

[Jingthing]

Your correct is was part of the Ottoman Empire but was never Israel.

Who said it was?

But the Jewish people have a long history in those lands back to ancient Israel.

Before I addressed British Mandate Palestine which you seemed to suggest was a state of Palestine. But it was not. Again, there NEVER has been a Palestinian state.

Edited October 30, 2014 by Jingthing

[japsportscarmad]

Your correct is was part of the Ottoman Empire but was never Israel.

Who said it was?

But the Jewish people have a long history in those lands back to ancient Israel.

Before I addressed British Mandate Palestine which you seemed to suggest was a state of Palestine. But it was not. Again, there NEVER has been a Palestinian state.

Dhoo, you inferred it was!

Yes the Jewish people do have some history in the lands but so do the Christians and Muslims.

[Jingthing]

Your correct is was part of the Ottoman Empire but was never Israel.

Who said it was?

But the Jewish people have a long history in those lands back to ancient Israel.

Before I addressed British Mandate Palestine which you seemed to suggest was a state of Palestine. But it was not. Again, there NEVER has been a Palestinian state.

Dhoo, you inferred it was!

Yes the Jewish people do have some history in the lands but so do the Christians and Muslims.

No I did no such thing. Please stop with the blatant lying and while you're at it please place the SOURCE LINK for the text you posed as your own writing.

Everyone knows the modern state of Israel was created in the late 1940s.

Edited October 30, 2014 by Jingthing

[japsportscarmad]

My apologies it read like you had?

[Jingthing]

My apologies it read like you had?

That's ridiculous. I'm not responsible for the weird filters in your head.

[japsportscarmad]

Don't be grumpy

[japsportscarmad]

Your correct is was part of the Ottoman Empire but was never Israel.

Who said it was?

But the Jewish people have a long history in those lands back to ancient Israel.

Before I addressed British Mandate Palestine which you seemed to suggest was a state of Palestine. But it was not. Again, there NEVER has been a Palestinian state.

Dhoo, you inferred it was!

Yes the Jewish people do have some history in the lands but so do the Christians and Muslims.

No I did no such thing. Please stop with the blatant lying and while you're at it please place the SOURCE LINK for the text you posed as your own writing.

Everyone knows the modern state of Israel was created in the late 1940s.

There's no need to be disingenuous and rude I am not lying you are making semantics about Palestine so let's say it didn't exist as a state but people lived there owned land and had businesses and were effectively kicked of to create modern Israel is that a lie?

And not everyone knows about the terrorist acts that were carried out up to and including 1946. Are you denying the terrible murderous act at the St David's hotel by cowardly bombers? Or the assassinations that took place?

Will you condemn these terrorist acts or are you perhaps an apologist for terrorism as long as it's not carried out by Palestinians?

Edited October 30, 2014 by japsportscarmad

[Jingthing]

Yes but not everyone knows about the terrorist acts that were carried out up to and including 1946. Are you denying the terrible murderous act at the St David's hotel by cowardly bombers? Or the assassinations that took place?

Stop with the troll baiting questions. Forget about any further responses. Again, you need to post SOURCE LINKS instead of acting like you have written long historical posts.

[japsportscarmad]

They are not troll bating anything just facts. And a question considering your opposition to Palestinian terrorism will you condemn the cowardly bombing of the St David's hotel, no you won't so are appearing selective in your definition of a terrorist act a cowardly bombing? I am happy to condemn all acts of terrorism carried out against innocent people including the innocent people killed by Hamas rockets.

Furthermore, you just don't seem to like facts about terrorist acts like the St David's hotel? Am I incorrect about them? If you can prove me wrong I will happily retract all my posts and apologise. However, It's no wonder you won't reply you know it's a fact and can not be disputed

I don't need to 'quote sources' you don't! do you in any of your posts? Significantly, in any case, it's common knowledge to anyone who knows the Middle East and how modern Israel was formed including the terrorists, and this is a forum not a dissertation.

Edited October 30, 2014 by japsportscarmad

[Lissos]

Who are the real terrorists? one mans terrorist is another mans hero

By your second statement, you answered your own question really. It all subjective, depending on location and circumstance. Meaning, I assume that while you have made it clear several times that you view the activities carried out during campaign of the Irgun and Lehi against British rule as 'cowardly terrorism', the various activities of Hamas' al Qassam Brigade, Islamic Jihad and others in their opposition to Israel are probably perceived by you as quite understandable (heroic, even) given the circumstances motivating them? Essentially, everybody is doing what they subjectively believe needs to be done, but everybody will face the consequences of the bed that they make for themselves. All have fingers crossed that their gambles will pay off, and that current decisions will be rewarded ten fold. It doesn't always work out well. Arab nationalists since the early 20s gambled many times by outright refusing proposed compromises and opportunities, in order to seek 100% perfection, and their gambles only landed them with a worsening situation today. By all means, they can carry on with the same stance but they will have to lie in the bed that they create for themselves in the process.