Palestinian/ Israeli update 2/03/2017..Trump shifts stance on Jewish settlements

Palestine urges US to assume role for peace

Trump Appears to Shift Stance on Jewish Settlements

SteveLendmanBlog: Trump on Israeli Settlements

by Stephen Lendman

Under international law, Israeli settlements are flagrantly illegal. Fourth Geneva prohibits “(i)ndividual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory to the territory of the Occupying Power or to that of any other country, occupied or not, are prohibited, regardless of their motive.”

Numerous UN resolutions affirmed the illegality of Israeli settlements. There’s no ambiguity on this issue, nor about how Palestinians are ruthlessly persecuted.

Occupied Palestine belongs to the Palestinians, not Israel. Not according to Trump, pre-election saying “I don’t think there should be a pause” in settlement construction. “I think Israel really has to keep going. They have to keep moving forward…”(N)obody will be more loyal to Israel than Donald Trump.”

A separate article explained he warned Palestinians against suing Israel in the International Criminal Court (ICC) or International Court of Justice (ICJ).

He threatened severe steps for proceeding, including cutting off aid, closing PLO offices in Washington, even restoring the organization to terrorist group status, one-sidedly supporting Israel, contemptuous of fundamental Palestinian rights.

Yet on February 2, a statement from Trump’s press secretary said “(t)he American desire for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians has remained unchanged for 50 years.”

“While we don’t believe the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace, the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful in achieving that goal.”

“As the President has expressed many times, he hopes to achieve peace throughout the Middle East region.”

“The Trump administration has not taken an official position on settlement activity and looks forward to continuing discussions, including with Prime Minister Netanyahu when he visits with President Trump later this month.”

Fact: America and Israel partner in each other’s wars. Both countries deplore peace and stability. Their actions speak for themselves. One rogue state supports the other. Their alliance threatens humanity.

Fact: Settlements prevent peaceful conflict resolution. It persists because Israel keeps stealing Palestinian land, along with its other high crimes of war and against humanity.

Fact: Israel and Washington seek Palestinian surrender – Oslo 2.0, Israeli terms alone acceptable, fundamental Palestinian rights ignored, a prescription for endless conflict.

Fact: The Trump administration’s policy on settlements is unlimited construction while, claiming it has “no official position” on this issue.

Fact: Trump’s key advisors on Israel are zionist zealots – David Friedman, his announced ambassador, Jason Greenblat, his chief international negotiator, and Jared Kushner, his son-in-law.

The president spoke to Netanyahu by phone before any other foreign leader. On February 15, both leaders will meet at the White House, Trump press secretary Sean Spicer announced it, saying:

“Our relationship with the only democracy (sic) in the Middle East is crucial to the security of both our nations, and the president looks forward to discussing continuous strategic, technological, military and intelligence cooperation with the prime minister” – Iran likely to top the list of topics.

Stephen Lendman

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