US MediationIsrael and Palestine
The US would like to believe it is fair and balanced and a fair broker for the conflict. Most of the rest of the world, and especially the Arab street, see things otherwise. Why? What do do we say and do to promote that view? Do we even recognise that we do it?
Monday, September 19, 2005
'US will support Israeli retention of some settlements': Palestinians reacted with anger to the comments
The Hindu News Update Service: "'US will support Israeli retention of some settlements' | Monday, September 19, 2005 : 0330 Hrs
Jerusalem, Sept. 19. (AP): The outgoing US ambassador to Israel said in an interview broadcast Sunday that US President George W. Bush will back a request by Israel to keep larger West Bank settlement areas under its control in a permanent peace agreement with the Palestinians.
Palestinians reacted with anger to the comments, saying they would only encourage Israel to pre-empt final status negotiations.
Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer, who completed his term Friday, cited an April 2004 letter from Bush to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, setting out the U.S. position on settlements.
'The policy is exactly what the president said,' Kurtzer said in the prerecorded interview. 'In the context of a final status agreement, the United States will support the retention by Israel of areas with a high concentration of Israeli population.'"
The Hindu News Update Service: "'US will support Israeli retention of some settlements' | Monday, September 19, 2005 : 0330 Hrs
Jerusalem, Sept. 19. (AP): The outgoing US ambassador to Israel said in an interview broadcast Sunday that US President George W. Bush will back a request by Israel to keep larger West Bank settlement areas under its control in a permanent peace agreement with the Palestinians.
Palestinians reacted with anger to the comments, saying they would only encourage Israel to pre-empt final status negotiations.
Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer, who completed his term Friday, cited an April 2004 letter from Bush to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, setting out the U.S. position on settlements.
'The policy is exactly what the president said,' Kurtzer said in the prerecorded interview. 'In the context of a final status agreement, the United States will support the retention by Israel of areas with a high concentration of Israeli population.'"
