Smiles and warm handshakes
exchanged by Barack Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu at their White House meeting
yesterday quickly turned into jibes and snarky rebukes which have been the
hallmark of the often hostile relationship shared by the two leaders, whose
mutual dislike for each other is fortunately overcome by the bond of the two
nations they lead. The squabble which overshadowed
the warm White House reception enjoyed by the Israeli premiere erupted when
reports of a Jerusalem Municipality decision to approve construction of 2,500
apartment units in East Jerusalem was publicized by leftist NGO Peace Now, just
hours before Obama and Netanyahu met in Washington. Shortly after the meeting,
the White House issued some of its harshest condemnation towards Israel to
date, warning that construction of these units would distance the Jewish state
from its “closest allies” and declaring that Israel’s decision to build in East
Jerusalem is “poisoning the atmosphere” with our supposed “peace partner,” the
Palestinian Authority.
Netanyahu and mayor of Jerusalem
Nir Barkat defended the building approval by stating that Jerusalem is
.jpg) |
| THE WESTERN WALL....KOTEL |
In general, Arab residents of
Jerusalem enjoy far greater freedom to live anywhere in the city than their
Jewish neighbors. Just this week, Jewish residents moved into legally purchased
apartments in Jerusalem’s Silwan neighborhood, on the eastern side of the
Western Wall, a mere five-minute walk from Judaism’s holiest site. Upon moving
into their newly purchased apartments, the Jewish residents were greeted by
their new Arab neighbors with a bombardment of stones and Molotov cocktails.
Riot police had to be called in to calm the situation. Obama’s White House
condemned the “Israeli settlers” – who moved into apartments purchased legally
from Arab owners – labeling them “provocative” and warning that such action
would serve to “escalate tensions at a moment when those tensions have already
been high.”
Why the White House chooses to
condemn Jews moving into East Jerusalem apartments and not the Arabs
 |
| JERUSALEM OF GOLD |
An undivided Jerusalem is and
always be the Jewish people’s position, and was clearly stated as Obama’s
position when he ran for president. So why is it that every time a
new building project is approved in East Jerusalem – especially when it
benefits Arabs as much as Jews – does it become
.jpg)
Why is the administration politicizing a municipality decision that
provides a solution for both Arabic and Jewish population growth in Jerusalem?
Could it be that Obama was being
disingenuous when reaching out to Jewish voters on such a vital policy position
when running for president? Under Israeli rule, the city of
Jerusalem has flourished for all faiths and races. Dividing the capital would
destroy the city and do irreparable damage to the Jews and the Arabs who live,
work, study, and practice their faith in the Holy City. Dividing the city would
also damage all public and private transportation across its intricate and
winding roads, and border crossings would greatly restrict access to many of
its holiest sites.
The free flow of tourists that
sustains the city’s economy would also be slowed or halted if it was to be
divided. Therefore, whoever truly wants to see Jerusalem continue to flourish
for people of all faiths must adopt the position so eloquently spoken by then
president-elect Barack Obama: “Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel and
it must remain undivided.”
On this, I could not agree more!
Ami Farkas
Author: Stand For Israel | October 2, 2014
Read more:
http://www.blog.standforisrael.org/articles/jerusalem-the-undivided-capital-of-israel#ixzz3FaLVmwYs
Follow us: @StandForIsrael on Twitter | StandforIsrael on
Facebook
AND REMEMBER.......
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment