Anonymously quoting a senior Israeli diplomat in Israel, the daily HaMevaser stated America is not pressing Israel to evacuate outposts, but rather the White House is seeking a building freeze.

The source is quoting as explaining America is pressing for a building freeze, since that is the big issue with the PA (Palestinian Authority). The turmoil surrounding the removal of outposts is an Israeli matter, not at all the result of American pressure, in no small part due to Peace Now petitions to the Supreme Court. It is “these” people, once again, led by Peace Now, trying to involve the American administration to underwrite their agenda, the removal of the so-called unauthorized outposts. At the end of the day the source explains, all of the outposts address some 2,000 people, but the American administration has its eyes on much larger issues. The source does not envision the outpost issue moving ahead too quickly in the near future since Israel and the United States are still at odds regarding the building freeze. He adds that if Israel and America had reached an agreement regarding a building freeze, then Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu would feel compelled to move ahead with the outpost removals as well, motivated by a commitment to the Obama administration.

Despite public opinion to the contrary, the prime minister is indeed seeking to reach an understanding with the White House that would permit continued construction throughout Yehuda and Shomron but if this is not accomplished, then there will not be agreement on either issue, the building freeze or the outposts.

Some analysts believe Netanyahu is buying time, waiting for 2010, when there is a congressional election in the United States, explaining as President Obama continues to drop in popularity polls; it is unlikely he will see to be perceived as anti-Israel when voters are going to the polls.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)