Netanyahu Rejects Curbing Settlement Construction by Stephen Lendman
After four days of talks between US and Israeli officials in Washington, nothing was achieved on slowing or curbing illegal settlement construction - entirely on stolen Palestinian land.
No US administration ever made concerted efforts to restrain Israeli lawlessness. On Friday, a joint statement by both sides was more double-talk than straight talk, saying:
“The United States delegation reiterated President Trump’s concerns regarding settlement activity in the context of moving towards a peace agreement.”
“The Israeli delegation made clear that Israel’s intent going forward is to adopt a policy regarding settlement activity that takes those concerns into consideration. The talks were serious and constructive, and they are ongoing.”
“(C)oncrete near-term measures (were discussed) to improve the overall climate in order to advance the prospects for a genuine and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians.”
Translation: Settlement construction will continue unimpeded. Trump intends doing nothing to halt or slow it - showing disdain for Palestinian rights like his predecessors.
Chances for “genuine and lasting peace between” both sides ahead are zero. Israel rejects it. So does Washington. Neither will admit what’s been clear for decades. Talks when initiated are dead- on-arrival every time. Nothing in prospect suggests improvement.
Trump’s negotiating team was headed by Zionist zealot Jason Greenblat. He and likeminded US ambassador to Israel David Friedman support unlimited settlement expansions on lawlessly annexed Palestinian land.
Both one-sidedly support Israel at the expense of fundamental Palestinian rights. Their public comments suggest one thing, Trump administration actions another.
During his White House meeting with Netanyahu last month, Trump’s comments on Israeli settlements were weak-kneed, saying “I’d like to see you hold back on (them) for a little bit.”
Netanyahu took it as a green light for unlimited construction - with no price to pay for his actions.
A Final Comment
On Thursday, bipartisan House and Senate legislation was introduced to fine companies boycotting Israel and its settlements.
The so-called Israel Anti-Boycott Act was prompted, in part, by UN Human Rights Council efforts to create a database of companies dealing with Israel in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
On Thursday, an HRC resolution urged companies to end ties to settlements, illegal under international law.
Congressional Zionist zealots want BDS influence undermined. Perhaps future legislation will call its activities illegal, criminalizing supporters.
Congressional action came days before AIPAC’s annual conference, scheduled for March 26 - 28.
House and Senate members scheduled to speak want something to show their fealty to the rogue Jewish state, complicit with its high crimes.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."
http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html
Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.
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