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Christians United for Israel Deeply Concerned About Obama Administration's Recent Statements on Jerusalem Construction
Monday, March 15, 2010
By: System Administrator
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CUFIcalls upon the Obama Administration to abandon its unnecessary escalation of tensions with Israel.
WASHINGTON - Christians United for Israel is deeply concerned about the Obama Administration’sescalating rhetoric over last week'sannouncement by Israel's Interior Ministry that it was issuing permits fornewhousing units in aJewish neighborhood in East Jerusalem.
CUFIconcurs with statements made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Barak and other Israeli leaders thatthis announcement was ill-timed. AndCUFI notes repeated press reports that Prime Minister Netanyahu neither knew about this announcement in advance nor hesitated to apologize for it after the fact.
We are therefore surprised that the Administration has chosen to continue to escalate a conflict with one of our closest allies that could havebeen quickly resolved.
Timing aside, the fact remains that the Israeli policy behind this announcement -- to continue building in existing Jewish neighborhoods throughout Jerusalem -- is not new. When it comes to Israel's bargaining position, nothing has changed. It is therefore difficult to understand why this long-standing disagreement over policy -- which has never been a barrier to negotiations with the Palestinians-- is now the source of such tension with the US.
We remind the Administration that Israel has been a committed partner for peace and has taken repeated risks for peace in recent years.We further note that the Netanyahu government has made important gestures to the Palestinians, includingan unprecedented10-monthmoratoriumon West Banksettlement constructionand repeated callsfor the resumption of direct negotiations. The Palestinians, on the other hand, continue torefuse direct negotiations.
We call upon the Obama Administration to cease this escalation and return its focus towards more constructive efforts towards peace.
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