It's amazing to witness people undermining their brave new master-plan for the Middle East with such single-minded determination.
U.S. "Dispels Fears" over Israel Sanctions
The State Department rebuffed speculation that the U.S. was considering imposing economic sanctions against Israel over continuing West Bank settlement construction.Spokesman Phillip Crowley said Thursday that remarks made earlier this week that it was "premature" to talk about financial pressure on Israel "had been "misinterpreted." "We are not contemplating such action," Crowley said.
64% of Israeli Jews believe Israel would not be able to trust international pledges for its security in return for settlement withdrawals in the West Bank, while only 9% said it would, according to a poll released Thursday by Maagar Mohot.71% said the government must insist that the Palestinians freeze all West Bank construction if a similar freeze were forced upon Israel. Only 20% disagreed.
62% said that PA leaders want to establish a Palestinian state in place of Israel, while only 27% said Palestinian leaders want to live side-by-side.
58% believe any pledge from PA leader Mahmoud Abbas would not bind future Palestinian leaders.