Israel needs some tough love + Foreign countries summon Israeli ambassadors over settlement controversy

By Avaaz Team: There used to be a saying in certain diplomatic circles that "the Palestinians never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity". It meant that Palestinian leaders often seemed more interested in making pronouncements and spouting anti-Israeli slogans than in negotiating a peace deal. But given Israel's petulant and short-sighted reactions to the overwhelming support for Palestinian statehood in the UN last week, it's clear that this time it's the Israelis who are missing the opportunity for peace.

The world speaks

Last Thursday, despite threats from the US and Israel, the UN general assembly voted to recognise the state of Palestine. The numbers were conclusive: 138 nations voted for the motion, 41 members abstained and only nine voted against upgrading Palestine to non-member state status. Given the strength of that global mandate, it would seem to make sense for the Israeli government to back off its strident rhetoric (foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman claimed in August that Palestine seeking UN recognition was "diplomatic terror") and try to meet the Palestinian Authority for serious negotiations.
Instead, the Netanyahu government has responded to the UN general assembly vote by announcing plans to build 3,000 more settlement housing units in East Jerusalem and the West Bank,
plus more building in an area that would cut off the West Bank cities of Ramallah and Bethlehem from Jerusalem. If settlements are actually built in the so-called E1 area, it would make impossible a viable, contiguous Palestinian state, and almost certainly doom the two-state solution, which is the best chance for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
As if that weren't enough, Israel also says it will withhold $100m in taxes it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, money it badly needs to pay salaries and maintain other government functions.
Both moves have been immediately criticised. UN chief Ban Ki-Moon said the move could be "a fatal blow" to hopes of peace. France and the UK are considering recalling their ambassadors to Israel. US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said the Israeli moves "set back the cause of a negotiated peace", while UK foreign secretary William Hague said he was "extremely concerned" by the decision. But the Israeli regime is defiant; Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting that “we will carry on building in Jerusalem and in all the places that are on the map of Israel’s strategic interests.”

Time for an intervention

With Israel's right wing firmly in control of the government, it might be too much to expect a Netanyahu administration to try to meet the Palestinian Authority's diplomatic efforts with diplomacy rather than retaliation. This means it's time for Israel's friends to stage an intervention and lay down some tough love.
The two-state solution has been and remains the best hope for a durable peace between Israel and Palestine. Rather then let the Israelis doom that hope in a fit of pique because they failed to defeat the UN general assembly vote, the US, the UK and other allies of the Jewish state should let it be known that their support isn't unconditional and unlimited. An astonishing amount of US money supports Israel's military might, used to keep the Palestinians in check. The Obama administration can, and should, do more than express feeble disapproval when Israel's leaders make the kind of mistakes they're making now – which will only prolong the agony of this seemingly endless conflict.
It's what a real friend would do.
Read more: Why – despite the Israeli tantrum – UN recognition of Palestine is good for Middle East peace.
Sources: Avaaz, Nation, New York Times, Global Post, BBC, France 24, Guardian

Unsettling settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank (AFP/Getty)  

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Foreign countries summon Israeli ambassadors over settlement controversy

International criticism has been mounting against Israeli plans to build new settlements. Several EU countries, including the UK and France, have summoned their Israeli ambassadors to show disapproval amid reports of recalls.

International reaction against Israel has been heated, but an official from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office says the country will not back down. 
The US has issued its third condemnation of Israel’s plan, calling the move "damaging" to the prospects of a two-state solution.
"The United States opposes all unilateral actions, including West Bank settlement activity and housing construction in East Jerusalem, as they complicate efforts to resume direct, bilateral negotiations, and risk prejudging the outcome of those negotiations," deputy spokesperson for the US state department, Mark Toner, said in a statement.
The statement came after White House spokesman Tommy Vietor called the move "counterproductive," saying it could make it harder to bring Israel and the Palestinians back to the negotiating table.
Palestinians are speaking out against the move, too.
"[The plans are] an insult to the international community, which should bear responsibility for Israeli violations and attacks on Palestinians," spokesman for the Hamas Islamist movement, Sami Abu Zuhri, said in a statement.
Britain is reportedly considering a strong reaction to Israel’s plans and has summoned Israeli ambassador for talks over planned settlements, asking for clarification on the issue. However, conflicting reports say that Britain has denied consideration for recalling its ambassador to Israel. 
"We are not proposing to do anything further at this stage…we are concerned about the situation…but we are not setting out any further action at this stage," a spokesperson for British Prime Minister David Cameron said in a statement.
France, which was the first major European country to announce support for Palestinian recognition at the UN, echoed the position of the UK. Paris sent a letter to the Israeli government, calling the settlement decision "a considerable obstacle to the two-state solution."
France and Sweden also consulted their ambassadors to Israel to decide on measures to show their disapproval. However, French President Francois Hollande says he does not want to impose sanctions on Israel. 
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Israel's plans were a "new area of colonisation" and, if confirmed, would "sap the necessary confidence in a resumption of talks."
The Danish and Spanish government have also called in their Israeli ambassadors for talks.
International reaction was triggered after Netanyahu ordered the construction of thousands of new homes in Jewish settlements in the area known as E1, between Ma’aleh Adumim and Jerusalem – a step widely seen as retaliation for recognition of Palestine as non-member state by the United Nations.
The new settlements would completely cut off Palestinians in East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank, UN head Ban Ki-moon stated.
"It would represent an almost fatal blow to remaining chances of securing a two-state solution.”
Also Germany has joined in and asked Israel to refrain from proceeding with settlement building.
"We appeal to the Israeli government to desist from this procedure," German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said at a news conference.
Swedish Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Bildt criticized Israel on his blog. "The Israeli government's plan is pure vengeance against the Palestinians following the UN vote.Israel's decisions to halt tax payment transfers and to extend illegal settlements around Jerusalem might dramatically escalate the situation," he said.
In addition, Turkey strongly condemned Israel’s plans and demanded to stop construction.
“Israel’s illegal settlement activities intentionally deprive conditions of lasting peace in the region,” said a statement released by the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has also issued a statement saying it is very concerned with Israel’s plans and is asking Israel “to reconsider its plans regarding the new settlements and transfer the money to Palestine,” referring to the tax revenues collected by Israel on behalf of Palestinians.
During the weekend, Israel canceled the transfer of US$120 million collected in taxes on behalf of the Palestinian Authority in an apparent response to the Palestinian UN-bid.
On Sunday Netanyahu clarified his stance on building new settlements, stating that the Israeli government gave the green light to zoning and planning, but not construction in East Jerusalem.
"We will carry on building in Jerusalem and in all the places that are on the map of Israel's strategic interests," Netanyahu said.
But critics say Israel needs to listen to the views of other countries around the globe.
“Netanyahu seems to have not caught onto the fact that the vast majority of the rest of the world support the right of Palestine to exist. They support the right of Palestinian recognition, and therefore not the occupation of the West Bank,” British Labour Party MP, Jeremy Corbyn, told RT.
But those who support the settlements aren't convinced that Netanyahu will follow through with his plans.
"The settler population does not believe that Netanyahu will go ahead with building these units. They believe it’s almost a cheap move by Netanyahu to try to gain support ahead of January’s elections and that this is an internal matter to try to build votes," RT correspondent Paula Slier, who is in Tel Aviv, reported.
The construction of the new settlements in the E1 area connecting the Israeli settlement Ma’aleh Adumim and Jerusalem could become a big obstacle for the future any Palestinian state as it would prevent territorial contiguity between the northern and southern West Bank.

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