Biden Condemns Israeli Government For Building New Settlements

3:22 pm EST March 9th, 2010 | Foreign Policy | 13 Comments

For Immediate Release

March 9, 2010

Statement by Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

Jerusalem

“I condemn the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem. The substance and timing of the announcement, particularly with the launching of proximity talks, is precisely the kind of step that undermines the trust we need right now and runs counter to the constructive discussions that I’ve had here in Israel. We must build an atmosphere to support negotiations, not complicate them. This announcement underscores the need to get negotiations under way that can resolve all the outstanding issues of the conflict. The United States recognizes that Jerusalem is a deeply important issue for Israelis and Palestinians and for Jews, Muslims and Christians. We believe that through good faith negotiations, the parties can mutually agree on an outcome that realizes the aspirations of both parties for Jerusalem and safeguards its status for people around the world. Unilateral action taken by either party cannot prejudge the outcome of negotiations on permanent status issues. As George Mitchell said in announcing the proximity talks, “we encourage the parties and all concerned to refrain from any statements or actions which may inflame tensions or prejudice the outcome of these talks.”"

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13 Responses to “Biden Condemns Israeli Government For Building New Settlements”

  1. Paul_D says:
    March 9, 2010 at 3:43 pm

    Ooooh, he condemns. Wake me up when the US finally starts cutting off aid.

  2. A. Alex says:
    March 9, 2010 at 3:49 pm

    I don’t understand, exactly, how Israel is our bestest and greatestest friend in the region when all it does—all the tiny nation-state has ever done is undermine our best interest. You know, facts are a terrible thing, but the facts are that Israel perfected acts of terrorism against the Brits during the occupation shortly after the UN, with a big push by the UK, created the State of Israel. I know, bringing up facts like that are inconvenient and all, but I’m just about fed up with our foreign policy being dictated by the 51st Sate of Israel. I mean, really, would we allow the City of Chicago (about the same number of people as Israel, give or take) dictate our economic policy or our foreign policy? I have nothing against Israel, but I think it is time that they learn to stand alone, fight for their survival or fall—but I don’t want my tax dollars to go toward their military. I suspect that if Israel had to learn to fight and live on its own the little country might learn to play nice with its neighbors. They’re like the punk kid, who is always lipping off because he knows his big brother will smack around anyone that dares confront him. Well, time for Israel to fight its own battles.

  3. KXB says:
    March 9, 2010 at 5:19 pm

    I agree with Paul, Israel really has nothing to worry about. Netanyahu knows he has Congress in his pocket if Obama gets any silly ideas like “even-handedness”

  4. KXB says:
    March 9, 2010 at 5:26 pm

    BTW – while Bush was faulted for being too one-sided towards Israel, he did get the Israelis and Palestinians to show up in the same room for more than just a handshake. Bush also turned down Israel’s request for Iraq-flyover rights, re-fueling assistance, and bunker-busting bombs in a possible attack on Iran. Israel’s poor performance against Hezbollah in 2006 made the Bush White House realize they are not the military asset they promote themselves to be. I was not expecting miracles from Obama in the Middle East, but he is punching below his weight.

  5. mike says:
    March 9, 2010 at 8:54 pm

    It is extraordinary rude and thoughtless of Biden to go around making demands of other countries and thinking that he or the rest of the Obama administration has the right to tell Israel what to do. Israel is a sovereign country and has the right to decide for itself what it wants to do. Biden is totally in the wrong here, and owes Israel an apology.

  6. cj says:
    March 9, 2010 at 8:59 pm

    Oh please, get off that apology crap.

  7. jrfunkenstein says:
    March 9, 2010 at 11:35 pm

    Israel will continue to be its own worst enemy, especially with ultra hard line governments such as Netanyahu exemplifies; they do whatever they feel will resonate with radical Israelis who have no intention or desire to deal in good faith with the Palestinians, but instead continue to foment distrust and conflict by their aggressive and illegal actions. I know the obvious retort will be that Hamas and Hezbollah are striving to destroy Israel, but further encroachment on Palestinian land will do nothing but provoke further unrest and violence. Both sides have blood on their hands, but only one rules the land and is stealing it from the other, in continual violation of multiple UN resolutions.

    It’s ironic that you believe Israel’s inalienable right to self determination is indisputable, but the same doesn’t hold true for Iraq or Afghanistan or anywhere else when the US decides to impose its will on those sovereign nations.

  8. Oliver says:
    March 10, 2010 at 12:12 am

    When a nation relies on you for its continued existence, you get to tell them how to do things. That’s how the cookie crumbles.

  9. Jaim says:
    March 10, 2010 at 12:19 am

    Israel wouldn’t last five minutes without the financial support of the United States. The moral thing to do is to pressure them to act morally themselves.

    Building illegal settlements is immoral.

  10. Paul_D says:
    March 10, 2010 at 10:12 am

    No dice. Some of us american taxpayers are getting a little tired of a this sense of entitlement Israel has had given their dependency on welfare checks from the United States. Take away the billions we give them annually, and they might consider trying a little harder to get along with their neighbors.

    If Israel wants US military hardware to enforce their ass backwards apartheid policies, let AIPAC hold an extra Super-Sunday fundraiser for them. I’m tired of having my tax dollars support the most god-forsaken patch of sand in the Middle East.

  11. Frank DiSalle says:
    March 11, 2010 at 6:40 am

    But aren’t Israelis “brown people”? Oh, wait! They’re Jews!

  12. Paul_D says:
    March 11, 2010 at 10:37 am

    Sorry, no whining about race, at least according to your idiot standards.

  13. Frank DiSalle says:
    March 12, 2010 at 10:27 am

    Didn’t recognize the sarcasm, eh, Paul ?