STOP ALL ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS ON PALESTINIAN LAND

Charles Krauthammer writes in today's The Washington Post that Obama is unfair to Israel when he calls for the cessation of new settlements. Writes Krauthammer:

"Obama says he came to Cairo to tell the truth. But he uttered not a word of that. Instead, among all the bromides and lofty sentiments, he issued but one concrete declaration of new American policy: "The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements," thus reinforcing the myth that Palestinian misery and statelessness are the fault of Israel and the settlements."

Krauthammer mischaracterizes the truth of Obama's assertions: Israelis have built their settlements upon land owned by Palestinians and taken from them by force. This land grab is both illegal and immoral. It is akin to ethnic cleansing in Bosnia.

Some in the Israeli government, like Netanyahu and Avigdor Lieberman, support these encroachers and would rather take land than establish peace. For them, land is more important than the rule of law. No wonder there is Palestinian hatred for the settlers and the government of Israel.

Settlers think that the bible gives them free rein to take as much land as possible, no matter that it does not belong to them. They imagine they have a divine right. This is ridiculous and against all international law.

I stand with Obama: Israel must cease all new settlements.