Obama to Israel, "Fuck you"

[Happy Monkey]

How does this screw them over? They wouldn't even stop putting up buildings when we asked them to. What do they care where we think the borders should be?

The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states.

Hasn't this been the US proposal for a long time? Is the major shift in foreign policy that now we said it at a stronger level of diplomat-speak?

[Uday]

Obviously, I would like to see the Sinai returned to full Egyptian control. Nobody in their right mind wants Gaza. I have no opinion about the rest of the disputed territories. If you lose a war, losing territory is the least that can happen to you.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by Uday

Obviously, I would like to see the Sinai returned to full Egyptian control.

I think it was, in 1979

[glatt]

Just went for a lunch time walk. There's a metric assload of security over at the White House today. I'm pretty sure I read that Netanyahu is in town today, so that would explain it. You know, to protect Obama from the pissed off PM.

Seriously, I've never seen that much security at and around the White House. But they have a spot right out in front where protestors are holding up signs calling for an end to aid to Israel.

[Uday]

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

I think it was, in 1979

No, the area is under the United Nations Multi-national Force Observers. Egypt governs the area, but it is not actually under Egyptian control.

To put it another way, how would you feel if the UN had a military presence in Texas?

[Big Sarge]

Originally Posted by Uday

No, the area is under the United Nations Multi-national Force Observers. Egypt governs the area, but it is not actually under Egyptian control.

To put it another way, how would you feel if the UN had a military presence in Texas?

True. We send a battalion of National Guard troops for that mission. Usual rotation is for 6 months

[Fair&Balanced]

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

...

Hasn't this been the US proposal for a long time? Is the major shift in foreign policy that now we said it at a stronger level of diplomat-speak?

The difference is that Obama is proposing it (pre-1967 borders) as a pre-condition for negotiations, along with pre-conditions on the PA and Hamas, whereas Bush and Clinton proposed it as a required outcome.