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Joe Biden Condemns Israeli Settlement Snub

Ministry announces new Jerusalem apartments as he visits

By the Associated Press

Posted Mar 9, 2010 5:59 PM CST

(AP) – Joe Biden condemned an Israeli plan to build hundreds of homes in disputed east Jerusalem today, casting a cloud over a high-profile visit that had been aimed at repairing ties with the Jewish state and kickstarting Mideast peace talks. His remarks came after Israel's Interior Ministry said it had approved construction of 1,600 new apartments, an embarrassing setback for Biden after a day of warm meetings with top Israeli officials.

"The substance and timing of the announcement, particularly with the launching of proximity talks, is precisely the kind of step that undermines the trust we need right now," Biden said in a statement. "We must build an atmosphere to support negotiations, not complicate them." At a state dinner, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Biden he was caught off guard by the ministry's announcement, a top Israeli official said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, embraces Vice President Joe Biden in Jerusalem, Tuesday March 9, 2010.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, embraces Vice President Joe Biden in Jerusalem, Tuesday March 9, 2010.   (AP Photo/ GPO, Avi Ohayon, HO)
Vice President Joseph Biden and his wif,e Dr. Jill Biden, walk in the cemetery on Mt. Herzel in Jerusalem, Tuesday, March 9, 2010.
Vice President Joseph Biden and his wif,e Dr. Jill Biden, walk in the cemetery on Mt. Herzel in Jerusalem, Tuesday, March 9, 2010.   (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, Pool)
Vice President Joseph Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, are seen during their visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem, Tuesday, March 9, 2010.
Vice President Joseph Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, are seen during their visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem, Tuesday, March 9, 2010.   (AP Photo/David Silverman, Pool)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 23 comments
aust01
Mar 11, 2010 6:11 PM CST
The behaviour of Israel is pathetic. The behaviour of the Palestinians is pathetic. The behaviour of every race / country involved in this unintelligent fiasco is nauseatingly pathetic. The rest of us are completely over it and we would be happy if we could close our eyes for a few seconds and when we re-open them all of the Jews and all of the Muslims had disappeared. Oh what a peaceful world we would then have.
Mr_Joshua
Mar 10, 2010 12:36 PM CST
"At a state dinner, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Biden he was caught off guard by the ministry's announcement, a top Israeli official said".
What crap, this fool has his finger in everything and is usually the author of stupidity. He authorized the Dubai fiasco personally and has been responsible for every act that sends the peace process backwards. Someone once said that Palestinians wants resolution without negotiation and Israel wants negotiation without resolution. What an apt phrase. Netanknucklehead simply wants to wear the Palestinians down with endless antagonism. And you can call me.......Mr Joshua.
Snowleopard
Mar 10, 2010 4:42 AM CST
isreal now controls over 95% of what once was the multicultural Palestine, and is still expanding their territories

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Israel • Joe Biden • Jerusalem • Benjamin Netanyahu • settlements

 
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