Elliot Abrams, a former senior official in the Bush administration has this to say about the Bush administration's actual position on "Natural Growth".
After quoting George W. Bush's 2004 letter to Ariel Sharon, Abrams unequivocally states:
"For the past five years, Israel's government has largely adhered to guidelines that were discussed with the United States but never formally adopted: that there would be no new settlements, no financial incentives for Israelis to move to settlements and no new construction except in already built-up areas. The clear purpose of the guidelines? To allow for settlement growth in ways that minimized the impact on Palestinians."
Can it be any more clear than that?
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
5 comments:
Wouldn't that mean that the 'nervy Israelis' weren't lying?
I think that Elliott Abrams fairly states the problem in the article. Israel agreed to a settlement freeze including no natural growth in 2003 the Road map, the Bush Administration defined natural growth as construction without increasing the size of Israeli areas. The agreement was never formerly adopted. Israel has largely adhered to the definition agreed to by the Bush Administration and now the Obama Administration defines settlement freeze (including no natural growth) as meaning no construction.
The problem remains that the Israel foolishly agreed to the Road Map. It was never implemented by the PA and now cannot be implemented because the PA's writ does not run to Gaza. Under these circumstances it would be better to take the President's offer of honest discussion and deal with the world as it is, rather than argue over the definition of natural growth.
Doesn't the Torah tell us NOT to dialogue with the Satan, but to drag him into the Yeshiva?
It was Levi that stayed in the Beis Knesset and learned, and was therefore exempt from the enSLAVEment.
Did Yaakov go along with Eisav, Lot, Yishmael; no Israel went it's own way, following the guide of Hashem.
Why can't Israel find a way to ignore, sidestep, elude, et al, in order to force O's hand for the americans to see the deception and deceit, which I think they would rise up against. Yes/No?
Barry Rubin says Israel might be able to agree to a temporary, reversible freeze conditioned on the West taking steps against Hamas and PA incitement. It could be extended if the US agreed to take action against Iran. This would be Israel offering to respond to the US request to help it move along the peace process. If those conditions weren't met, the freeze could be easily reverse. The point is not surrendering Israel's vital national interests but to remove a point of friction with the US. It can be a one time, time off deal and its not a concession to the Palestinians. It would be dangerous for Israel to give and receive nothing in return. So whatever Israel offers has to be matched by an American or Palestinian move.
Sorry, I left out an important point:
The Creator of the Universe gave us this land for safe-keeping, and that's what we intend to do!
Keep it ... and safely!
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