Israeli Ambassador to Washington Dr. Michael B. Oren was summoned by US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, who had harsh words for Israel’s recent announcement to construct 1,600 new housing units in Jerusalem’s Ramat Shlomo neighborhood. Steinberg echoed the condemnations heard from his boss, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the White House, and European and Arab nations, all condemning the act which America insists is detrimental to efforts to jumpstart a diplomatic process between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority).
While officials in Jerusalem are still working to play down the severity of the diplomatic row which resulted from the statement of the Jerusalem District Planning Board last week, during the state visit of US Vice President Joe Biden, the Embassy in Washington appears more willing to call it what it really is, a diplomatic crisis.
Shas leader Minister of the Interior R’ Eli Yishai is being held responsible for the faux pas, but Yishai denies having prior knowledge of the planned announcement. Others feel this is no excuse and the fact that his ministry is responsible for the district planning board make Yishai responsible for this growing diplomatic row.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu last week apologized to the vice president for the ill-timed message, offering an explanation as well, that construction is not imminent and therefore, there is ample time for negotiators to iron out differences before talks begin.
In a related matter, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has established a new senior committee headed by Eyal Gabbai, the director-general of the PM’s bureau, a committee which he hopes will prevent a reoccurrence of such an event, releasing such an announcement with cabinet approval during a high-level state visit. In this case, the announcement resulted in a diplomatic storm.
The prime minister convened his Forum of Seven, his closed ministers, to discuss the current crisis, which appears will become increasingly problematic before it is resolved.
The prime minister in a public statement stated “there is no reason for panic. We are well-equipped to deal with such an unfortunate situation and I have conferred with ministers, instructing them accordingly.”
He pointed out there are mutual interests between Israel and the USA, and there are essential interests that Israel must pursue, and the government will act accordingly.
America is demanding confidence-building measures officials explain, not announcements of planned construction in areas views as “Israeli occupied” by Israel, the PA (Palestinian Authority) and the Western community.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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4 Responses
Israeli Ambassador to Washington Dr. Michael B. Oren was scolded over Israel’s leadership lacking the backbone to do what is right for its Jewish citizens and building 100 fold in all cities in Israel, instead of apologizing stupidly to those anti-Semitic, pro-Islam leaders in America.
Look at where they are going to build. It is on a Israeli road leading into Ramat SHlomo not a new area; just an area on the road. Just hystics to please the arab. They clinton to chew her husband out for playing around with woman behind her back and leave Bibi alone
Can’t we just build without those announcements that don’t do us any good?
This just in (Via Torah): the Land of Israel belongs to the Jews, and G-d requires that they occupy it as Torah Jews. -and-
reference the posting on the tragedy in Teaneck – STOP TALKING IN SCHUL! There is no an option, unless you consider Gehinnom an option.