Israel continues
to defy US concerns over its belligerent settlement expansion policies. While
prime minister, Netanyahu’s defiant speech at AIPAC (American Public Affairs Committee)
was greeted with thunderous applause, syndicated broadcaster and columnist,
Patrick J. Buchanan, described it as a ‘hollow victory” commenting “that the
vital interests of
Israel now collide with vital U.S.
interests in the Middle East. America cannot back down without eviscerating her
credibility in the Arab and Muslim world.” Buchanan further commented that the
“West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is occupied territory.
Building there
violates international law. Peace requires a sharing of Jerusalem, return of
almost all of the West Bank and withdrawal of the Jewish settlers. Any land
annexed by Israel must be compensated for with Israeli land ceded to the
Palestinians.” In a heated exchange Vice-President Biden told Netanyahu. “What
you’re doing undermines the security of our troops who are fighting in Iraq,
Afghanistan and Pakistan.” It is disappointing that the Obama Administration
continues to reward Israel for its ‘bad behavior.’ Israeli newspaper Haaretz recently reported the US will
donate three new Hercules-J transport aircraft to Israel, at a cost of $250
million. Israel is also negotiating a possible $3 billion deal to purchase
Lockheed F-35 war planes. Buchanan final comment “U.S.-Israeli relations are approaching a - whose
side are you on? Either Netanyahu backs
down this time — or Obama loses his soldiers.”
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