Netanyahu + Biden = More Illegal Settlements

On the eve of yet another meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Vice President  Joe Biden—this time Bibi came to our shores—Israel announced  plans to construct some 1,000 new housing units in Har Homa, the illegal settlement for Jews only on the outskirts of  the West Bank Christian towns of Bethlehem and Beit Sahour. (Israel considers Har Homa part of East Jerusalem, which it illegally annexed and expanded following the 1967 Six-Day War.)

Once again, Israel maintained that the timing of the announcement was coincidental, and not an attempt to embarass Biden. And once again, as he did during his March 2009 visit to Jerusalem, Biden responded with groveling praise of Israel.

Biden and Netanyahu had both traveled to New Orleans—which itself still lacks adequate housing for all its citizens—to attend the 2010 General Assembly of The Jewish Federations of North America. According to the organization’s Web site, www.jewishfederations.org, Biden told the gathering after his meeting with Netanyahu, “When it comes to Israel’s security there can be no daylight between the U.S. and Israel." He added, "The Jewish Federations’ recent initiative to counter de-legitimization attempts through the Israel Action Network is so important and so appreciated by the president and me."

Israel also plans to build an additional 800 housing units in the illegal West Bank settlement of Ariel. (All Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are illegal according to international law.)

Meanwhile, while visiting Jakarta, President Barack Obama criticized the construction plans, saying, “This kind of activity is never helpful when it comes to peace negotiations, and I’m concerned that we’re not seeing each side make the extra effort involved to get a breakthrough.”

Perhaps because Israel already has received its entire $3 billion in U.S. military aid for the coming year, Netanyahu was quick to shoot down his American benefactor. According to a statement issued by the Israeli prime minister’s office, “Israel sees no connection at all between the peace process and building plans in Jerusalem.”

Now that the Nov. 2 elections are over, it’s time to call the White House and your elected representatives in Congress to demand that American tax dollars not be used to further Israel’s illegal actions. Let elected officials know that they will be held accountable in  2012.