From Hebrew To Black Harlem to Black Atlanta

Ilana sent me this:

Theories about the origin of "copacetic" abound. The tap dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson believed he had coined the word as a boy in Richmond, Virginia. When patrons of his shoeshine stand would ask, "How’s everything this morning?" he would reply, "Oh jes’ copacetic, boss; jes’ copacetic." But the word was current in Southern Black English perhaps as early as 1880, so it seems unlikely that Robinson (born in 1878) could have invented the term.

Another explanation is that the word is from the Hebrew phrase "kol be sedher," meaning "everything is in order." Possibly it was coined by Harlem blacks working in Jewish businesses. The word’s popularity among Southern blacks, however, points to its originating in one of the Southern cities in which Jewish communities thrived, such as Atlanta.

Netanyahu's Words

At this year's AIPAC convention:-

...should be judged by the same standards applied to all nations, and allegations against Israel must be grounded in fact. One allegation that is not is the attempt to describe the Jews as foreign colonialists in their own homeland, one of the great lies of modern times. In my office, I have a signet ring that was loaned to me by Israel's Department of Antiquities. The ring was found next to the Western wall, but it dates back some 2,800 years ago, two hundred years after King David turned Jerusalem into our capital city. The ring is a seal of a Jewish official, and inscribed on it in Hebrew is his name: Netanyahu. Netanyahu Ben-Yoash. That's my last name. My first name, Benjamin, dates back 1,000 years earlier to Benjamin, the son of Jacob, One of Benjamin's brothers was named Shimon, which also happens to be the first name of my good friend, Shimon Peres, the President of Israel. Nearly 4,000 years ago, Benjamin, Shimon and their ten brothers roamed the hills of Judea.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
The connection between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel cannot be denied. The connection between the Jewish people and Jerusalem cannot be denied. The Jewish people were building Jerusalem 3,000 years ago and the Jewish people are building Jerusalem today.

Jerusalem is not a settlement. It is our capital.

In Jerusalem, my government has maintained the policies of all Israeli governments since 1967, including those led by Golda Meir, Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Rabin. Today, nearly a quarter of a million Jews, almost half the city's Jewish population, live in neighborhoods that are just beyond the 1949 armistice lines. All these neighborhoods are within a five-minute drive from the Knesset. They are an integral and inextricable part of modern Jerusalem. Everyone knows that these neighborhoods will be part of Israel in any peace settlement. Therefore, building in them in no way precludes the possibility of a two-state solution.

Nothing is rarer in the Middle East than tolerance for the beliefs of others. It's only under Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem that religious freedom for all faiths has been guaranteed. While we cherish our homeland, we also recognize that Palestinians live there as well. We don't want to govern them. We don't want to rule them. We want them as neighbors, living in security, dignity and peace. Yet Israel is unjustly accused of not wanting peace with the Palestinians. Nothing could be further from the truth

.

Fluctuating Filastin Finances

U.S. Foreign Aid to the Palestinians

U.S. aid to the Palestinians has fluctuated considerably over the past five years, largely due to Hamas’s changing role within the Palestinian Authority (PA). After Hamas led the PA government for over a year, its forcible takeover of the Gaza Strip in June 2007 led to the creation of a non-Hamas government in the West Bank — resulting in different models of governance for the two Palestinian territories.

Since then, the United States has dramatically boosted aid levels to bolster the PA in the West Bank and President Mahmoud Abbas vis-à-vis Hamas. The United States has appropriated or reprogrammed nearly $2 billion since 2007 in support of PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s security, governance, development, and reform programs, including $650 million for direct budgetary assistance to the PA and nearly $400 million (toward training, non-lethal equipment, facilities, strategic planning, and administration) for strengthening and reforming PA security forces and criminal justice systems in the West Bank. The remainder is for programs administered by the U.S. Agency for International Development and implemented by nongovernmental organizations in humanitarian assistance, economic development, democratic reform, improving water access and other infrastructure, health care, education, and vocational training. In December 2009, Congress approved $500 million in total FY2010 assistance pursuant to P.L. 111-117, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010.

A Cohen Gets A Traditional Jewish Wedding

That's Sacha Baron Cohen

Reported to have finally married actress Isla Fisher.

The pair, who have a two-year-old daughter together, are reported to have wed in a traditional Jewish ceremony during a break in Paris last week.

Fisher, 34, appeared to be wearing a gold wedding band alongside her huge diamond engagement ring as she strolled through the French capital with Cohen, 38, over the weekend...Fisher converted to Cohen's religion of Judaism three years ago and has adopted the Hebrew name Ayala.

Positive Jerusalem News

The actor, Mark Rylance, won best actor for his role in the play, "Jerusalem", of the British olivier award.

Hillary's Demography Dump

From Hillary Clinton's speech to AIPAC:

But the dynamics of demography, ideology, and technology make this impossible.

First, we cannot ignore the long-term population trends that result from the Israeli occupation. As Defense Minister Barak and others have observed, the inexorable mathematics of democracy – of demography, are hastening the hour at which Israelis may have to choose between preserving their democracy and staying true to the dream of a Jewish homeland. Given this reality, a two-state solution is the only viable path for Israel to remain both a democracy and a Jewish state. (Applause.)

Well, the short answer is that her figures, er, her statistics and population data are in error.

Just go through my blog, searching for "demography", reports by Yoram Ettinger, Yaakov Faitelson and more indicate that to "prove" the need for Israel to yield on Judea and Samaria due to numbers of Arabs is simply wrong.

The Flareup Over Jerusalem - in 1928-1929

From Hansard, the record of English Parliament debates:

WAILING WALL, JERUSALEM.HC Deb 26 November 1928 vol 223 cc10-1 10

§ 15. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of further infringements of the status quo at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem by the Moslem authorities, including the establishment of a hospice at a house adjacent to the Wall, besides other building activities and alterations; that a muezzin now appears on a roof adjacent to the corner where the Aronkodesh, or Ark of the Holy Scrolls, stands on Saturdays and calls to prayer five times during that day according to the Islamic rite; that this was not permitted under the Ottoman regime; that the Jewish religious authorities have protested to the District Commissioner; and whether he will take steps to prevent such action in the future by the Moslems and further infringements of the status quo?

§ Mr. AMERY No, Sir, I am not aware of any such incidents, but I am still awaiting further reports on the whole question. I am confident that the Acting High Commissioner for Palestine would do everything in his power to prevent an infringement of the status quo.

§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY When is the right hon. Gentleman's White Paper on the whole matter to be laid?

§ Mr. AMERY I hope quite shortly; but I cannot give an exact date.

§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to inquire into these particular charges, which might not appear very serious to him, but which, he will be aware, were an infringement of the status quo?

§ Mr. AMERY I have inquired into the whole position.

§ Colonel WEDGWOOD Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the action of the Governor on this occasion; and is the inquiry into the action of the police or into the action of any superior officer?

§ Mr. AMERY I have full confidence in the Acting High Commissioner.

and this:

WAILING WALL, JERUSALEM.HC Deb 12 November 1928 vol 222 cc471-3 471

§ 16. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Moslems in Jerusalem are erecting masonry constructions on top of the Wailing Wall; why this is being permitted by His Majesty's Government in Palestine, especially in view of the action taken by the authorities in Jerusalem to enforce the removal of temporary screens placed by Jewish devotees against the wall as infringing the status quo; and if he will give instructions that the status quo is to be preserved and that this new construction on this ancient wall should be forbidden?

§ Mr. AMERY The matter to which the hon. and gallant Member refers is engaging my close consideration, and I propose to take the highest legal advice open to me before coming to any definite decision.

§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY Has the right hon. Gentleman in the meantime taken any steps to inform the Administration of Palestine of the very deep feelings that have been aroused by the alleged action of the police in this case, and by the attitude of His Majesty's Government to the Moslems in allowing this building?

§ Mr. AMERY The Administration of Palestine is very well aware of the state of feeling in Palestine, and the question whether this building is a violation of the status quo is the very question on which I wish to make quite sure before I come to a decision.

§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that under the Turkish Government this kind of thing was never permitted, and that this is an entirely new departure?

§ 17. Mr. FENBY asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that on 24th September last, being the Jewish Day of Atonement, British 472 police, acting on the instructions of the deputy district commissioner for Jerusalem, broke through the Jewish worshippers at the Kotel Maaravi, generally known as the Wailing Wall, and forcibly removed a portable screen which had been placed there on the previous evening in connection with the Atonement services; and what steps it is proposed to take with a view to enabling Jewish worshippers to conduct their devotions without molestation at this holy place?

§ 18. Sir FRANK SANDERSON asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the action of certain Jews, the Government will take steps to make their intention clear of protecting the Wailing Wall at Jerusalem from acts of aggression, and so remove the cause of what may become a dangerous agitation?

§ Mr. AMERY I intend within the next few days to lay before the House a White Paper on the subject of the recent incident at the "Wailing Wall." That paper will deal fully with the events which led up to the intervention of the Police, the position of His Majesty's Government and the Government of Palestine and the steps which have been taken with a view to minimising the risk of the occurrence of a similar incident in future. I do not wish to anticipate what will be said in the White Paper, nor could I do so satisfactorily within the narrow limits of Question and Answer. But I think it necessary to make one or two points clear. In the first place I would explain that the concern of His Majesty's Government and the Palestine Government in this matter is to maintain the satus quo as between Jews and Moslems in strict accordance with Article 13 of the Mandate, and such action as was taken by their representatives on this occasion was solely directed to preserving this delicate equilibrium. At the same time His Majesty's Government deeply deplore the shock which was caused to large numbers of worshippers on a day so holy to Jews. The hon. Member for Darwen is, I think unnecessarily apprehensive on behalf of the Moslems. While it is not contested that those responsible for the arrangement for the conduct of the service at the Wall, acting in defiance of Government instructions, introduced certain innovations involving a departure from the established 473 practice and thus disturbing the status quo I am in a position to give him an absolute assurance that no question as to the ownership of the Wall has been raised by the Jews and that they have no intention of asking for anything inconsistent with the inviolability of the Moslem Holy Places, which is unreservedly acknowledged.

I am satisfied that the question at issue is one which could best be settled by friendly agreement between the two parties and I trust that as excitement on the subject dies down such a settlement, which would be most welcome to His Majesty's Government, will he reached. I need hardly say that His Majesty's Government would be most willing to use their good offices to that end.

§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY Will the White Paper contain any report of the alleged action of the police, and the alleged brutality that took place among the worshippers?

§ Mr. AMERY I think that the hon. and gallant Member will find that the White Paper gives a very full account.

§ 19. Sir F. SANDERSON asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any rioting has occurred in Jerusalem; if so, how many arrests have been made; and what sentences have been given?

§ Mr. AMERY No, Sir; there has been no rioting in Jerusalem.

§ Sir F. SANDERSON Has the Government received evidence of the widespread feeling existing among a large proportion of the Moslem population?

§ Mr. AMERY Yes, there is considerable excitement among all sections of the population.

Mr. BECKETT Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the status quo will be maintained?

and finally, the White Paper and this:-

WAILING WALL, JERUSALEM.HC Deb 03 December 1928 vol 223 cc813-4 813

§ 12. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the White Paper Cmd. 3229, purporting to deal with recent incidents at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, contains no mention of alleged infringements of the status quo by the Moslem religious authorities; if he intends to issue a further White Paper on this aspect of the matter; and whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the addition of further masonry courses to the wall itself by the Moslem religious authorities and the other alleged infringements of the status quo?

§ Mr. AMERY The White Paper is confined to the incidents which formed the subject of the question put to me when I undertook to lay that Paper before the House. It does not deal with matters in regard to which, as I have already informed the hon. and gallant Gentleman, I am awaiting further reports from 814 Palestine. I am not prepared to anticipate either the nature of those reports or the action which I shall take when I receive them. As I stated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Gentleman on 28th November, I am not satisfied that there has been a violation of the status quo by the Moslem authorities.

§ Lieut. Commander KENWORTHY How will the right hon. Gentleman make the further information known? Will he issue a further White Paper?

§ Mr. AMERY I will consider in what way.

§ Lieut. Commander KENWORTHY Will the right hon. Gentleman let me know when he has the information, so that I can put a further question, if necessary?

§ Mr. AMERY Yes, Sir.

and, a year later, after the riots, after 133 Jewish dead, we still have pro-Arabs in Parliament:-

WAILING WALL.HC Deb 13 November 1929 vol 231 cc2024-5 2024

§ 40. Colonel HOWARD-BURY asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the present position with regard to the Burak; whether he is aware that the Wailing Wall is legally the absolute property of the Moslem community, with the strip of pavement facing it; that the placing there of tables, chairs, screens, etc., is against the status quo; whether he can state the temporary regulations that are now being enforced; whether he is aware that this enforcement is giving rise to a serious situation; and when these temporary regulations are to be withdrawn?

§ Mr. LUNN A memorandum relating to the Western or Wailing Wall in Jerusalem was presented to Parliament in November last as a White Paper (Cmd. 3229), and I would invite the hon. and gallant Member's attention to the statements contained in that paper with regard to the status quo, which could not conveniently be summarised in a reply. I will place a copy of the temporary Regulations in the Library of the House. These regulations were promulgated, with the Secretary of State's approval, as a matter of urgency with a view to the preservation of good order and docorum. As the High Commissioner has announced locally, the regulations are of a temporary and provisional character. They do not purport to define the existing rights of either Moslems or Jews, nor do they prejudice the rights and claims either of Jews or of Moslems. I appreciate the necessity of an early and authoritative settlement to replace these temporary regulations, and His Majesty's Government are giving close and active consideration to this difficult question.

So familiar, yes?

^

Spotted: A New Anti-Obama Poster

At end of Aggripas Street.

It reads:

Beware! A PLO Agent in the White House

Shiloh's District Primary School Is Expanding

Taking care of our demographic needs or more pupils.

New Construction on Aggripas Street

Almost like Spain?

The EU and I

Today, I had lunch at this restaurant on Emeq Refaim Street in Jerusalem:



The reason: the 6th EU-Israel Media Dialogue.

This year, representatives of the Religious-National media, press, radio and Internet, were included in the program on the theme: The Religious-National Sector in Israel, European Media and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Moderated by Dr. Amiel Ungar, a contributing editor of the Jerusalem Report, columnist for Haaretz English edition and foreign affairs columnist for Makor Rishon, we met with 6 reporters, editors and correspondents from Spain, Hungary, Denmark, Poland and Belgium.

Yisrael Harel, former Chairman of the Council of the Jewish Communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, founder of the Institute for Zionist Strategies, columnist for Haaretz and founding editor of Nekuda magazine spoke on The Religious National Movement in Israel and the Israeli–Palestinian Conflict. Pazit Ravina, columnist for Makor Rishon, by the way, secular, a resident of Tel Aviv and a former Davar correspondent, addressed the topic of Coverage of Europe in the Religious Media in Israel and I dealt with the aspect of European Coverage of religious communities in Israel

On the New media vs. traditional media and coverage of Europe, we heard from Izhak Horovitz, correspondent for BaKehila Newspaper representing the Haredi media in Israel and from Yoni Kaplinsky, editor for the Israel National Radio web site in English.

Pictures:

a) Amiel (center) in animated discussion


b) Itzhak Horovitz handing out his email address


c) me (left)

d) providing translation


e) our moderator, Amiel Ungar


Yes, the food was good and soo was the company and the exchange of views.

HH #261

New Haveil Havalim.

Sometimes, You Need A Better Angle

Just in case, from Jerusalem they move north:

Jerusalem - As It Was When Under Jewish Rule

Two thousand years ago:

Before any Arabs.

Making a Mission Out Of Missionaries

Over the past year or so, a major new effort has been launched to combat what is perceived as a new form of missionary effort by Christians.

Leading this activity is Jewish Israel. I think it quite proper to ferret out those who disguise themselves as "friends". I think that the return to Zion deserves the cooperation and support of all peoples, especially the Christian world as they were in the forefront of trying to send us back to our homeland, if only because of negative reasons. And, of course, there were and are many who do so for all the right reasons.

A conference is being called during Pesach to educate Israelis, and especially those engaged in Torah study and who live in the Yesha communities, regarding financial inducements and contributions that need be checked. It wil be in Hebrew.

Here's the poster:

They are concerned that in a new guise, that of sympathetic monetary support, souls may be snatched.

Speakers include Rabbis Shlomo Aviner, Eliyhau Rachyamim Zini, Tzfanyah Drori, Elchanan Bin-Nun, Yochanan Blass, Tzvi Kostiner and Elisha Vishlitzky.

_____________

Update

Not Millions

In a nice letter in the New York Times today, Barry A. Wadler of Fort Lee, N.J. writes:

...The tragic refugee problem is one that the Arab nations themselves have prevented from resolution. In the same years that millions of Jews, unwanted in other nations, were systematically absorbed by Israel, millions of Palestinians under Arab dominion were systematically not absorbed by the surrounding Arab nations. This festering issue serves the Arab agenda.

What?

millions of Palestinians under Arab dominion were systematically not absorbed

Millions?

Maybe you mean that today there are millions but in that early period, there were

from about 520,000 (Israeli sources) to 726,000 (UN sources) to over 800,000 (Arab sources) refugees

One should be careful with numbers.

'Rip-Shit' Is Back In Use

Almost everyone who’s anyone at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or in Foggy Bottom will volunteer the news: Obama is “rip shit” with the Israelis. So how long has he been rip shit? I believe that he has been sitting in waiting for the opportunity to have others send the message: “The president has blown his top.” When talks fail, which they inevitably will, he will present his own plan. Beware.

Marty Peretz



and see this and also this.

Hillary Is Insulting

From a press conference:

MODERATOR: Next question. CBS News, please.

QUESTION: Sorry. This is Charlie Wolfson of CBS for the American Network pool. Secretary Clinton, in the wake of Vice President Biden’s visit to Jerusalem, you used the word “insulting” for events that took place there. Is the Obama Administration past that phase and – in this relationship with Israel? Do you plan to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu when he’s in Washington? And have you spoken with any of the Palestinian leaders in addition to the fact that you’ve now spoken with Prime Minister Netanyahu last night?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Charlie, as the Quartet statement makes very clear, we are all committed to the launching of proximity talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Senator Mitchell, who was here for the meeting, will be going to brief more of our European allies and then will be in the region to speak with both the Israelis and the Palestinians. He expects to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu before the prime minister leaves for the United States.

I expect to see the prime minister when he and I both address the AIPAC conference in Washington. Our relationship is ongoing. It is deep and broad. It is strong and enduring, and we believe that the launch of the proximity talks is very much in Israel’s interests as it is in the interests of the Palestinians. And to that end, we hope to see those talks commence as soon as possible.

So, she never did answer that question, which is insulting.

And even more so here (and look here):

Ghattas: You took a risk in escalating the tone with Israel last week, I understand the relationship is solid but the Israelis could have said we never promised restraint on settlments in east Jerusalem,- is the risk paying off?

Clinton: I think we're going to see the resumption of the negotiation track and that means that it is paying off because that's our goal. Let's get the parties into a discussion, let's [get] the principle issues on the table and let's begin to explore ways that we can resolve the differences.

Ghattas: Is the pressure on the Israeli prime minister meant to be a moment of clarity, either he delivers on his commitment to peace, or his right wing coalition falls?

Clinton: We're not taking any position and we have no particular stake in who the Israelis choose to govern them. They're a democracy and they make that choice. I think that different parts of government make action or statements that are not in the best interest of the government as a whole and I think what the Prime Minister has said repeatedly is that his government and he personally are committed to pursuing these negotiations and he just has to make sure that he brings in everyone else, that's his responsibility it's not something that the United states can or is interested in doing.

See this background.

Is The Reform Movement Reverting to Its Previous Siddur Content Lack?

I have a suggestion for Reform Rabbi Yoffie after reading this:

Top Reform rabbi: Freeze building in 'East Jerusalem'

NEW YORK (JTA) -- Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, the largest synagogue movement in the county, is calling on Israel to enact a construction freeze in eastern Jerusalem.

He expressed his views during remarks to rabbis and members of URJ's board of trustees on Thursday.

"There is also a substantive question of great importance that needs to be addressed: Should Israel continue to build now in East Jerusalem? I believe that it should not," Yoffie said.

Maybe he should return to the period when Zion was extracted from the Reform siddur:

David Friedlander, for example, demanded that all mention of Zion and Jerusalem be removed from the Siddur (traditional prayer book), given that "the Jews have only the Prussian Fatherland, for whose welfare they are obliged to pray." In France, Samuel Levi adopted a similar position in his declaration that

"France, which was the first country to remove the shame of her Jews, is our land of Israel. Her mountains are our Zion, her rivers - our Jordan."

Check this, too.

And he should be careful:

In nineteenth-century German Reform prayer books, such references to Jewish nationalism were altered or eliminated. In an age of growing European nationalism, this attempt to 'de-nationalise' Jewish identity was virtually unique. Responding to accusations that Jewish citizenship in the modern nation-state was incompatible with Judaism, Reform rabbis, who were engaged in the struggle for Jewish emancipation, claimed that patriotic loyalty to the German fatherland must supersede Jewish national identity. This article discusses the offending nationalist content of the siddur and the historical context in which it was suppressed. It concludes that the German reformers, by drawing attention to the nationalist potential of traditional Judaism, indirectly prepared the way for the rise of Jewish nationalism in reaction to racial anti-Semitism in the late nineteenth century.

As I Assumed - This Is Not Peace

In private conversations, I noted that the cancellation of George Mitchell's visit after the Ramat Shlomo incident was planned. He would return with a much forceful mandate to dictate to Israel, as a process of capitulation.

Here it is:

Joint Statement by the Quartet

Washington, DC
March 19, 2010

The Quartet – U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell, and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union Catherine Ashton – met in Moscow on March 19,2010. They were joined by Quartet Representative Tony Blair.

Reaffirming the fundamental principles laid down in its statement in Trieste on June 26, 2009, the Quartet welcomes the readiness to launch proximity talks between Israel and the Palestinians. The Quartet emphasizes that the circumstances which made it possible to agree to launch the proximity talks be respected. The proximity talks are an important step toward the resumption, without pre-conditions, of direct bilateral negotiations that resolve all final status issues as previously agreed by the parties. The Quartet believes these negotiations should lead to a settlement, negotiated between the parties within 24 months, that ends the occupation which began in 1967 and results in the emergence of an independent, democratic, and viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbors. The Quartet reiterates that Arab-Israeli peace and the establishment of a peaceful state of Palestine in the West Bank and Gaza is in the fundamental interests of the parties, of all the states in the region, and of the international community. In this regard, the Quartet calls on all states to support dialogue between the parties.

The Quartet reiterates its call on Israel and the Palestinians to act on the basis of international law and on their previous agreements and obligations – in particular adherence to the Roadmap, irrespective of reciprocity – to promote an environment conducive to successful negotiations and re-affirms that unilateral actions taken by either party cannot prejudge the outcome of negotiations and will not be recognized by the international community. The Quartet urges the government of Israel to freeze all settlement activity, including natural growth, to dismantle outposts erected since March 2001, and to refrain from demolitions and evictions in East Jerusalem. The Quartet also calls on both sides to observe calm and restraint and to refrain from provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric especially in areas of cultural and religious sensitivity. Noting the significant progress on security achieved by the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, the Quartet calls on the Palestinian Authority to continue to make every effort to improve law and order, to fight violent extremism and to end incitement. The Quartet emphasizes the need to assist the Palestinian Authority in building its law enforcement capacity.

Recalling that the annexation of East Jerusalem is not recognized by the international community, the Quartet underscores that the status of Jerusalem is a permanent status issue that must be resolved through negotiations between the parties and condemns the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem. The Quartet re-affirms its intention to closely monitor developments in Jerusalem and to keep under consideration additional steps that may be required to address the situation on the ground. The Quartet recognizes the parties can mutually agree on an outcome that realizes the aspirations of both parties for Jerusalem, and safeguards its status for people around the world.

Recalling that transformative change on the ground is integral to peace, the Quartet continues to support the Palestinian Authority ‘s plan of August 2009 for building the Palestinian state within 24 months as a demonstration of Palestinians’ serious commitment to an independent state that provides good governance, opportunity, justice, and security for the Palestinian people from the first day that it is established and is a responsible neighbor to all states in the region. The Quartet takes positive note of Israel’s steps to ease restrictions of movement in the West Bank and calls for further and sustained steps to facilitate the state building efforts of the Palestinian Authority. The Quartet endorses fully the efforts of the Quartet Representative in support of Prime Minister Fayyad’s state-building and economic development program which has seen significant improvement in the Palestinian Authority’s performance with respect to security and law and order and improved economic growth. The Quartet supports the Quartet Representative in his vital efforts to promote change on the ground in aid of the political negotiations.

The Quartet further calls on all states in the region and in the wider international community to match the Palestinian commitment to state-building by contributing immediate, concrete, and sustained support for the Palestinian Authority and, in the regard, looks forward to the upcoming meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) to coordinate international support for the Palestinian state building effort.

The Quartet is deeply concerned by the continuing deterioration in Gaza, including the humanitarian and human rights situation of the civilian population, and stresses the urgency of a durable resolution to the Gaza crisis. The Quartet calls for a solution that addresses Israel’s legitimate security concerns, including an end to weapons smuggling into Gaza; promotes Palestinian unity based on the PLO commitments and the re-unification of Gaza and the West Bank under the legitimate Palestinian Authority; and ensures the opening of the crossings to allow for the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid, commercial goods, and persons to and from Gaza, consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 1860. The Quartet takes positive note that the Israeli government has just communicated its approval of a number of the UN Secretary General’s civilian recovery projects, including a staled housing project in Khan Younis and looks forward to their early implementation The Quartet condemns yesterday’s rocket fire from Gaza and calls for an immediate end to violence and terror and for calm to be respected. The Quartet reiterates its call for the immediate release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Recognizing the significance of the Arab Peace Initiative, the Quartet looks forward to closer cooperation with the parties and the Arab League and urgers regional governments to support publicly the resumption of bilateral negotiations, enter into structured regional dialogue on issues of common convern, and take steps to foster positive relations throughout the region in the context of progress towards comprehensive peace on the basis of UN Security Council Resolutions 242, 338, 1397, 1515, and 1850 and the Madrid principles, including through the conclusion of peace agreements between Israel and Syria and Israel and Lebanon.

The Quartet commits to remain actively involved on all tracks and to encourage and review progress. The Quartet commits to meet regularly and tasks the envoys to intensify their cooperation, to maintain contacts with the Arab League Committee on the Arab Peace Initiative, and to formulate recommendations for Quartet action.

The Quartet re-affirms its previous statements and supports, in consultation with the parties, an international conference in Moscow at the appropriate time concurrent with direct negotiations.

My observations:

1) "independent, democratic, and viable Palestinian state"

Democratic? It'll never happen. And Israel should outline exactly what that means.

2) "within 24 months"

And every month the Pals. stall gets added on, double.

3) "the occupation which began in 1967"

Well, what about the "occupation" that began earlier by certain Arab states that encroached on Mandate territory?

4) "to act on the basis of international law"

Hopefully, Israel's powers-that-be will now get their act together. Read Howard Grief's tome, review Yehuda Blum, Eugene Rostow, Stephen Schweible and others.

5) "adherence to the Roadmap, irrespective of reciprocity"

"Irrespective"? Simply not acceptable. No way.

6) "freeze all settlement activity, including natural growth"

Does that apply to Arabs? I repeat: refer to Arab locations as "settlements", even in Israel.

7) "the annexation of East Jerusalem is not recognized by the international community"

Not an annexation. A reunification. But at least there's no demand for construction halt although there is this there: "condemns the decision by the government of Israel to advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem". Condemn all you want.

8) "The Quartet endorses fully the efforts of the Quartet Representative in support of Prime Minister Fayyad’s state-building and economic development program"

But Netanyahu's construction suspension and recognition of a Pale. state goes unmentioned. Just this anonymous point: "takes positive note of Israel’s steps to ease restrictions of movement in the West Bank". Not a good idea, Quartet.

9) Gilad Shalit is mentioned.

10) International conference bad idea. Just a gang-up on Israel, outnumbering her.