US frowns on new housing in Maale Adumim
The Bush administration on Monday reminded Israel of its commitment under the road map to freeze all settlement activity, after Israel approved 600 new housing units in Ma'aleh Adumim, a large settlement east of Jerusalem.
"Our comment is that the road map calls for an end to all settlement activities, including natural growth," said State Department spokesman Adam Ereli. "We have discussed with Prime Minister Sharon the need to make progress on the settlement issue, beginning with the removal of unauthorized settlement outposts. We have obviously discussed this issue with the Israelis. Israel has made a commitment. We look forward to Israel abiding by that commitment and sticking by the road map."
Ooops. Welcome to reality. What happened to the fabled Bush administration acceptance of the largest Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria in return for the "disengagement" plan? Well, newsflash: Ma'aleh Adumim is home to 30,000 people. It's a thriving, deep-rooted community, not a "large settlement." And it's not going away.
Time to reassess, Arik? Of course not. There are none so blind as those who will not see. Sharon's transfer of Gaza's Jewish population, in the end, is going to win him nothing. No points, no credits, no hectares, no lives, no thanks.
No country has ever desired peace more or been more willing to sacrifice to achieve it. Given the established track record and proven aspirations of her enemies, though, I wonder if Israel can still afford that luxury.
