Main focus of Thursday, March 11, 2010

Israel affronts the US

During his Middle East tour US Vice President Joe Biden has harshly criticised Israel's plan to build 1,600 homes for Jewish families in eastern Jerusalem. Israel is endangering the Middle East peace process with its settlement policy and provoking the United States, commentators write.

Der Standard - Austria

The planned construction in East Jerusalem is jeopardising the Middle East peace process, writes the liberal daily Der Standard: "What will happen now with the so-called peace process? Most likely nothing. But that was also true before the scandal. All that's changed is that now people are taking an even closer look at this crucial theatre of events. ... More and more people - also in the EU - are arguing for the recognition of a unilaterally declared Palestinian state, if it can't be reached at the negotiating table. Like all unilateral steps, that would also be a very dangerous undertaking with unpredictable consequences. There is only one way to avert this danger, and that is with real, meaningful negotiations. But that's a far cry from what we're seeing now." (11/03/2010)

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The Daily Telegraph - United Kingdom

In building homes for ultra-orthodox families in East Jerusalem Israel is stoking the flames of the Middle East conflict, writes the conservative Daily Telegraph: "This is simply not good enough. The international community is investing a great deal of time, effort and money in seeking to bring peace to the region; and while the Israelis may have their concerns over the direction of travel, as no doubt do the Palestinians, it is incumbent on all parties to avoid such provocation while the initiative is under way. With some justification, the Israelis consider Iran's quest for a nuclear weapon, and not the Palestinian issue, to be the region's most pressing problem. They believe that once Hamas and Hezbollah are emboldened by Tehran's military umbrella, then a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict will be further away than ever and nuclear proliferation will grip the Middle East. All the more reason why, surrounded by enemies, Israel must not exasperate its friends." (11/03/2010)

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Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany

With the announcement that it will build 1,600 new homes in the eastern part of Jerusalem, Israel has clearly snubbed its American partner, writes the left-liberal Süddeutsche Zeitung: "Yes, this is a provocation, and a show of brazen impertinence. The small partner is calling the tune. President Obama should now bring it forcibly home to Prime Minister Netanyahu that even the special friendship between the two states has its limits once Israel starts undermining America's authority. Any hesitation on Obama's part will up the chances of Jerusalem's also distancing itself from Washington on how to deal with Iran's nuclear programme. If Israel really does bomb Iranian nuclear facilities as it has threatened to do, the whole region could sink into war." (11/03/2010)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » U.S., » Israel
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