Posted by
Defend America on Sunday, March 14, 2010 5:08:42 PM
White House Ups Ante With New Criticism of Israel
FOXNews.com
The
White House is raising the stakes with Israel, calling it an "insult"
and an "affront" that the Jewish nation would continue plans to build
1,600 new apartments during a construction freeze aimed at re-igniting
peace talks with Palestinians.
Palestinians have not sought as part of their capital the area of
northeast Jerusalem where the Jewish settlement of Ramat Shlomo
resides, but the decision to announce construction plans just as Vice
President Joe Biden was visiting the region led to strained meetings
that continues past his return.
Biden expressed his displeasure by showing up late to a dinner with
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in order to issue a statement
of condemnation.
On Sunday, President Obama's chief political adviser David Axelrod
told ABC's "This Week" that the move undermines the fragile effort to
bring peace to the troubled region and called the timing of the
announcement "very destructive."
Axelrod would not say what has been discussed in diplomatic talks
but suggested the decision by Israel was "calculated to undermine"
peace talks with the Palestinians. He added that because Israel is a
special ally to the United States "for just that very reason that was
not the right way to behave."
But White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Netanyahu's
apology on Sunday was a "good start" to rebuild trust, but more needs
to be done.
"I think what would be an even better start is coming to the table
with constructive ideas for constructive and trustful dialogue about
moving the peace process forward," Gibbs said.
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