Obama administration evidently understands it went too far: Jerusalem is not a settlement

The Obama administration may have begun to understand that it has gone too far with its pressure on Israel for a settlement freeze, and particularly, its insistence that Jerusalem is a "Settlement."

 

From the Israeli point of view, if Jerusalem is a "settlement" then Tel Aviv can also be considered an ("illegal") settlement, and the erosion of Israeli legitimacy has begun.

 

A black flag waving may have been the statement by Alan Solow and Malcolm Hoenlein of the Conference of Presidents of Jewish organizations. Both are considered at least moderate, and Solow is a friend and backer of Obama. In the past, Malcolm Hoenlein was targetted by right wing Zionists for displaying what they considered insufficient zeal in the cause. Opposition by Solow and Hoenlein may have caused the administeration to reconsider. Here is the statement:

 

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STATEMENT BY CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENTS CHAIRMAN ALAN SOLOW AND EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRMAN MALCOLM HOENLEIN ON ISSUES RAISED REGARDING CONSTRUCTION IN JERUSALEM

New York, July 21, 2009 … The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations has long advocated and supported the unity of Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Israel.  As such, we believe that legal construction by residents of the city should be allowed as long as it is in keeping with the standards and requirements of the municipality and the national government.  We find disturbing the objections raised to the proposed construction of residential units on property that was legally purchased and approved by the appropriate authorities. The area in question houses major Israeli governmental agencies, including the national police headquarters. The United States has in the past and recently raised objections to the removal of illegal structures built by Arabs in eastern Jerusalem even though they were built in violation of zoning and other requirements often on usurped land. In addition to the Jewish housing, the project called for apartment units for Arabs as well. 

It is particularly significant that the structure in question formerly was the house of the infamous Mufti of Jerusalem Haj Amin al-Husseni who spent the war years in Berlin as a close ally of Hitler, aiding and abetting the Nazi extermination of Jews.  He was also linked to the 1929 massacre in Hebron and other acts of incitement that resulted in deaths and destruction in what was then Palestine. There has been an expressed desire by some Palestinians to preserve the building as a tribute to Husseini.

As a united city, Jerusalem's Jewish and Arab residents should be permitted to reside wherever legal and security requirements allow.  Hundreds of Arab families have moved into Jewish neighborhoods of Jerusalem and the same right should be accorded to Jewish residents in live where they choose in Jerusalem. To do otherwise would undermine and prejudge the status of the city.

No government of Israel has or can pursue a discriminatory policy that would prevent the legitimate presence of Jews in any area of its capital.

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Debkafiles maintains that the US is trying to turn down the heat on Israel. This is borne out by reports that George Mitchell has moderated his tone and is downplaying the US-Israel rift. .