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Ambassador Friedman: Israel Shouldn't Have to Ask U.S. Permission to Build in West Bank
In extensive interview to Israeli daily, Friedman says the administration never challenges Israeli construction plans for settlements, addresses Trump statement that Israel will have to pay 'high price' for embassy move
Haaretz
Sep 08, 2018 5:32 PM
Ambassador Friedman meeting with PM Netanyhau in his office in Jerusalem May 16, 2017Mati Stern/ U.S. Embassy
U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman said that "Israel shouldn't have to ask permission from the U.S." to build in the West Bank.
The comment was part of an extensive interview with the envoy that was published in the Israeli newspaper Yisrael Hayom on Friday.
According to Friedman, Israel currently presents its construction plans to the Trump administration, which sometimes replies with notes and requests. "If we have an issue with something we say 'Do we really need to go that far? Can you build close to the existing settlement?'" Friedman said as an example of commentary the administration sometimes gives on Israeli construction plans in the West Bank.
He also noted that the Israeli government recognizes American reservations and takes them into consideration.
U.S. Ambassador David Friedman standing next to the controversial photo, May 22, 2018.Israel Cohen / Kikar Hashabat
Friedman reiterated President Donald Trump's opinion that the settlements do not pose an obstacle for peace.
"If the expansion continues unmitigated, there will be much greater limitations regarding the territory it would be possible to give to the Palestinians. So to preserve that option, there needs to be some balance."
When asked how the administration would react of Israel presented a construction plan for an "East Jerusalem Belt," Friedman skirted a direct answer and only noted the plan must serve regional stability and peace.
The U.S. envoy added that contrary to the Obama administration, Trump does not examine every house and neighborhood built in the West Bank. "We receive an encompassing overview and have an understanding of what the overall strategy for development would be," he said, noting that "We conduct talks … We never tell them [the Israeli government] 'this you have to take out of the list.'"
According to Friedman, the current administration has never challenged an Israeli construction plan in the West Bank.
Read more: Ambassador Friedman: Israel shouldn't have to ask U.S. permission to build in West Bank
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He is right ... It's like asking someone to hold your dick while going for a piss.
In extensive interview to Israeli daily, Friedman says the administration never challenges Israeli construction plans for settlements, addresses Trump statement that Israel will have to pay 'high price' for embassy move
Haaretz
Sep 08, 2018 5:32 PM
Ambassador Friedman meeting with PM Netanyhau in his office in Jerusalem May 16, 2017Mati Stern/ U.S. Embassy
U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman said that "Israel shouldn't have to ask permission from the U.S." to build in the West Bank.
The comment was part of an extensive interview with the envoy that was published in the Israeli newspaper Yisrael Hayom on Friday.
According to Friedman, Israel currently presents its construction plans to the Trump administration, which sometimes replies with notes and requests. "If we have an issue with something we say 'Do we really need to go that far? Can you build close to the existing settlement?'" Friedman said as an example of commentary the administration sometimes gives on Israeli construction plans in the West Bank.
He also noted that the Israeli government recognizes American reservations and takes them into consideration.
U.S. Ambassador David Friedman standing next to the controversial photo, May 22, 2018.Israel Cohen / Kikar Hashabat
Friedman reiterated President Donald Trump's opinion that the settlements do not pose an obstacle for peace.
"If the expansion continues unmitigated, there will be much greater limitations regarding the territory it would be possible to give to the Palestinians. So to preserve that option, there needs to be some balance."
When asked how the administration would react of Israel presented a construction plan for an "East Jerusalem Belt," Friedman skirted a direct answer and only noted the plan must serve regional stability and peace.
The U.S. envoy added that contrary to the Obama administration, Trump does not examine every house and neighborhood built in the West Bank. "We receive an encompassing overview and have an understanding of what the overall strategy for development would be," he said, noting that "We conduct talks … We never tell them [the Israeli government] 'this you have to take out of the list.'"
According to Friedman, the current administration has never challenged an Israeli construction plan in the West Bank.
Read more: Ambassador Friedman: Israel shouldn't have to ask U.S. permission to build in West Bank
---------
He is right ... It's like asking someone to hold your dick while going for a piss.