Biden blasts Israel over housing plan

By AGENCIES

RAMALLAH: US Vice President Joe Biden publicly scolded Israel on Wednesday over a Jewish settlement plan, saying it was undermining peace efforts after Palestinians agreed to US-mediated talks.

“It is incumbent on both parties to build an atmosphere of support for negotiations and not to complicate them,” Biden said in a media statement alongside Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

“Yesterday the decision by the Israeli government to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem undermines that very trust, the trust that we need right now in order to begin ... profitable negotiations,” Biden said.

In Jerusalem, an Israeli Cabinet minister apologized for what he termed “real embarrassment” caused to Biden by the news on Tuesday that Israel would erect 1,600 homes in an area of the occupied West Bank it annexed to the holy city.

Aides to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had been blindsided by the announcement of the plan by the Interior Ministry, run by Shas, an ultraorthodox nationalist party that is a key member of his governing coalition.

Abbas, who agreed to indirect talks with Israel after he had made a settlement freeze a condition for resuming peace negotiations, urged Israeli leaders to cancel the decision.

But the Palestinian leader gave no indication the so-called “proximity talks” would not proceed. No date, venue or agenda has been set. “The American administration must put pressure on Israel so the indirect talks are not obstructed,” said Nabil Abu Rudainah, an Abbas aide.

Biden made no reference to any possible postponement. He spoke of “indirect talks being launched” — giving no date — and said they should lead to direct negotiations. He said the United States would hold both sides accountable for any statements or actions “that inflame tensions or prejudice the outcome of talks, as this decision did” — a reference to the settlement plan.”

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TARIQ

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Really i am fed up of this double standard policy of Americans.Almost Whole of the world knows who is providing Israel with weapons to kill innocent and unarmed people of Palestine yet they are pretending as if they support Palestine peace process.Comeon you Americans think that there are only idiots in this world.

NISHTHAR IDROOS

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I cannot add anything more to what Palestinian lawmaker Hanan Ashrawi said "This is a global message of American weakness and Israeli arrogance," Think of it, I could just interject and say, Immaculate American emasculation.

WAQAS-AL-DIN AL-AMERICANI

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What he just blasted is nothing less than the remainder of America's tattered shreds of credibility which we should never have given it in the first place. But more to the point, what is his statement- which is a mere tap on the hands for Israel- going to accomplish? These "indirect talk" are nothing more than a cheap facade meant to disguise Israel's continuous theft of Palestinian land in broad daylight! If America wants to regain its credibilty in the eyes of the people of the region (that's a big IF), it must keep all options on the table when it comes to Israel as well, i.e. the threat of divestment. That ought to get Israel's attention... Otherwise be prepared, in the words of Chairman Abbas, to face the "war of religions" and all of its ugly ramifications.

WAQAS

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What he blasted was nothing less than the remainder of America's tattered shreds of credibility which we should never have given it in the first place. But more to the point, what is his statement- which is nothing more than a tap on the wrist for Israel- going to accomplish? These "indirect talks" are nothing more than a cheap facade designed to disguise Israel's continuous theft of Palestinian land in broad daylight! If America desires to regain its credibility in the region, it must keep all options on the table when it comes to Israel as well, i.e. the threat of divestment... Otherwise be ready to face "the war of religions"!

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The problems of Palestain are created by the USA & kept in a state of continuous unrest during last 60 years long. Dont blieve USA. We have seen many DRAMA played by leaders of USA. The present DRAMA is going to stage aiming to misslead the the Arabs & Muslims not to support Iran, who (Iran) blieves the balance of power, only SOLUTION, to bring peace in the Middle East.
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