Grand Words, Meagre Promises, Total Inaction on the
Occupation
By Jonathan Cook
CounterPunch
(Cartoon by Carlos Latuff)
"Those who hoped that Barack Obama would be arriving in Israel to bang Israeli
and Palestinian heads together, after four years of impasse in the peace
process, will be sorely disappointed......
The new Israeli cabinet lost no time setting out its legislative priorities.
The first bill announced is a “basic law” to change the state’s official
definition, so that its “Jewish” aspects trump the “democratic” elements, a move
the Haaretz newspaper termed “insane”.
Among the main provisions is one to restrict state funding to new Jewish communities only. This points to a cynical solution Netanyahu may adopt to placate the simmering social protest movement in Tel Aviv, which has been demanding above all more affordable housing.
By freeing up even more cheap land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, he can expand the settlements, further eat away at Palestinian territory, silence the protests, and wrong-foot the opposition. All he needs is Obama’s blessing."
Among the main provisions is one to restrict state funding to new Jewish communities only. This points to a cynical solution Netanyahu may adopt to placate the simmering social protest movement in Tel Aviv, which has been demanding above all more affordable housing.
By freeing up even more cheap land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, he can expand the settlements, further eat away at Palestinian territory, silence the protests, and wrong-foot the opposition. All he needs is Obama’s blessing."
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