To those who drank the kool-aid and bought the story about "disengagement" facilitating the incorporation of the "major settlement blocs" into Israel proper, InContext presents Exhibit ... X:
Israel has given the American administration commitments that it will not build between Jerusalem and Ma'aleh Adumim, and that the contested project has been put on hold indefinitely, Vice Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Thursday.
The comments were the first public confirmation by a top government official that Israel has frozen the controversial building plans in the wake of American pressure.
"The State of Israel has committed itself to freeze the building," Olmert said in an interview with The Jerusalem Post.
"As such, we would be acting in an irresponsible manner if we would do otherwise," he added.
The long-planned construction of 3,500 housing units on the outskirts of the West Bank settlement of Ma'aleh Adumim, as part of a decade-old government proposal which will link the suburban Jerusalem settlement to the capital has been subject to fierce Palestinian and international condemnation, and to American resistance.
Olmert said that Israel made the commitment to the Americans several months ago when final approval of the plan, known as E1, seemed imminent.
"Several months ago." When Ariel Sharon and his erstwhile supporters were still touting the benefits of the "deal" that would end U.S. pressure re: the rest of Judea and Samaria in exchange for the sacrifice of Gush Katif et al.
Right.
Olmert went on to say that Israel has every intention of proceeding with the project. Absolutely. It's just that, right now, there's been some unavoidable capitulation to a little more arm-twisting from Washington and they have to, you know, wait a bit until Washington comes around. Because, you see, Israel hasn't actually taken any steps lately that have quite sufficed to accomplish that. Don't worry, though. It'll happen. Because, well, Israel will find some way to convince the White House that she's serious about wanting peace. Hopefully.
'Disengagement II,' coming to a theater near you -- any day now.
