The Trump impact on US policy

[OUTLAW 09]

Kyle W. Orton
Verified account
‏@KyleWOrton
John Kerry is now laying out principles that "do not to prejudge but to provide a possible basis" for a final settlement in Israel-Palestine

From what John Kerry has said he seems to fully embrace the 2002 Arab initiative.

Kerry now on a potted history of the Israel-Palestine conflict started at Basel, missed out everything until 1948. Not sure what's happening

It is pretty clear from Kerry's speech that, except for the political price inside the U.S., the Obama admin would have voted for UNSCR 2334

John Kerry speech on Israel-Palestine: "Friends need to tell each other the hard truths."

John Kerry says Obama administration has defended #Israel from attacks on her legitimacy, "fought for its inclusion across the UN system".

John Kerry says he has seen the troubles of the occupation, where checkpoints "can make even the most routine daily trips an ordeal."

John Kerry says facts on the ground are "combing to destroy hopes for peace on both sides ... cementing a one-state reality."

John Kerry says there is only a choice between one state or two states. There are those who argue for three states.

This section from Kerry on condemning the PA's and HAMAS's incitement to terrorism feels like a throat-clearing before criticizing Israel.

John Kerry says the Israeli governing coalition is the "most right-wing in history with the agenda driven by the most extreme elements."

Kerry: "Let's be clear: settlement expansion has nothing to do with Israeli security," some compound security trouble, driven by ideology.

Everything Kerry's said so far doesn't even approach an answer to the question he was asked to answer: Why did you change policy on 23 DEC?

Kerry says current trends would make Israeli occupation permanent, "separate but not equal". Such talk almost designed to antagonize Israel.

Oh wow. Now Kerry is about containing the #Iran|ian revolution, sees a chance for Israel and the Arab states to align against Tehran.

John Kerry: "We could not in good conscience protect the most extreme elements of the settler movement to destroy the two-state solution."

John Kerry says if US vetoed UNSCR 2334 it "would have been giving license to further ... settlement activity that we fundamentally oppose."

John Kerry says that "it is not this resolution that isolates Israel," but the policy of the Israeli government in establishing settlements.

Kerry says there was "absolutely nothing new" in UNSCR 2334 (this is in defending treatment of East Jerusalem in the resolution.)

John Kerry said that UNSCR 2334 was "balanced and fair"; "did not agree with every word" but it reflected "consensus" so didn't block it.

Interestingly........

1. this view by Kerry is an actual convergence between the EU and the US as virtually the entire EU and other global players are of this opinion when it concerns the current Israeli government.....

2. we will potentially see a divergence on 20 Jan 2017 between Trump/Israel and the rest of the world on this question.

IMPORTANT.....since Germany allows Israeli citizens immediate residency visas and they no longer need visitor visas the number of younger Israeli's bailing out of Israel into Germany is massive.....ALL because of the current Israeli government and they are tired of the constant conflict inside Israel....

Resolution of the Israeli Palestinian issue will greatly ease tensions across the entire ME....a simple fact....

[OUTLAW 09]

The lid is off. John Kerry in furious frontal assault on Netanyahu policies. Can hardly hide his rage.

But Trump also the target.

[OUTLAW 09]

I noticed this about two years ago - and was really surprised at how many. Particularly considering the country from where they de-facto fled is supposed to be one of 'milk and honey'...

Sure. But, this issue is not going to be solved any time soon.

It is a massive brain drain of their best and brightest...who in reality should be the future of Israel and actually want to be that future.......and who are sick and tired of the current violence inside a very conservative neo right led government also on the orthodox religious side....who controls virtually everything

Healthy dose of reality, as opposed to nationalist-cum-religious fantasy, from the JPost, which ain't no lefty rag.

http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Jerusal...-fight-476704#

BREAKING: President Abbas on #Kerry: If Israel halts settlements and implements signed agreements, we're ready to resume final status talks.