“At the same time, the White House clarified that President Donald Trump’s administration has not yet taken an official position on Israeli ‘settlement activity.'”
The idea that the Trump administration is even contemplating the possibility that a “settlements freeze” could help bring peace between Israel and the “Palestinians” shows that some people high up in the administration have no idea of the nature and magnitude of the jihad threat, and don’t realize that if the Palestinians’ problem isn’t the “settlements,” it will be something else: their goal is to eradicate Israel. No lasting agreement will ever be forged that will enable Israel and the Palestinians to live in peace as long as the jihad imperative remains, and the divine call to “drive them out from where they drove you out” (Qur’an 2:191).
It’s good that the administration hasn’t yet taken an official position. One may hope that wiser heads will prevail.
“White House: ‘Settlements’ may not help promote peace,” by Elad Benari, Israel National News, February 3, 2017:
The White House suggested on Thursday night that Israeli construction plans in Judea and Samaria “may not be helpful” to promote a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA).
At the same time, the White House clarified that President Donald Trump’s administration has not yet taken an official position on Israeli “settlement activity”.
“The American desire for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians has remained unchanged for 50 years. While we don’t believe the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace, the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful in achieving that goal,” said White House press secretary Sean Spicer in a statement.
“As the President has expressed many times, he hopes to achieve peace throughout the Middle East region. The Trump administration has not taken an official position on settlement activity and looks forward to continuing discussions, including with Prime Minister Netanyahu when he visits with President Trump later this month,” added Spicer.
The statement from the White House followed a report in the Jerusalem Post, which quoted an unnamed American official who said that Trump has warned Israel to stop its unilateral announcements of new construction in Judea and Samaria as they “undermine” his efforts to reach a peace agreement….

gravenimage says
Trump going wobbly? White House suggests Israeli “settlements” may “not be helpful” for peace
…………………..
Let’s hope not–but we knew this was possible. Still almost certainly better than the alternative would have been.
I suggest that patriotic Americans write the White House in support of Israel.
Westman says
There is an old jazz song, “Do Nothing Till You Hear It From Me”, that seems to apply here. I see no tweets from the Donald about this issue and there was a previousl rebellion at the Justice Dept that received the deserved resolution.
Trumps personal last word was support for Israel. I’ll wait for the birdie.
Angemon says
My feelings exactly, Westman.
Custos Custodum says
The fundamental problem is Western politicians thinking of Israel as a PROBLEM to be solved, of course through the exercise of their innate personal wisdom without reference to actual, you know, FACTS.
As an exercise, perhaps we should consider other countries as “PROBLEMS.” Should Alaska and Alabama really be considered part of the same country? Wouldn’t Switzerland be better off broken up and allocated to Germany, France and Italy? Italy itself clearly has no sense of national unity, as its Northern League has been saying for decades.
General Matis has the limited vision of a military man – in particular has indicated that he views Israel as a stumbling block in the great endeavor of securing Arab “loyalty.” (Arab nations are inherently incapable of loyalty.)
Trump’s great failing is to fall for the movie trope of the no-nonsense military leader who disinterestedly takes vigorous action to “clean up the mess” left by incompetent civilians. In reality, U.S. history suggests that military men tend to fall to venality and seduction even more quickly than their civilian brethren (and nowadays, sistren). Exhibit A: Ulysses S. Grant.
carpediadem says
Excellent and interesting post. Thought-provoking too.
Pastor C says
This is an ominous development, as is the very likely prospect the administration may not follow through on its promise to recognize Jerusalem as the God-given capital of the State of Israel.
Pray for our president. He’s surrounded by RINOs, which is tantamount to swimming in shark-infested waters…They will oppose him at every turn.
carpediadem says
Trump and Israel supporters need to camp out by the WH.
Terry says
As has been said by several people (including myself- although I was off by a month), TRUMP CANNOT RECOGNIZE \JERUSALEM PRIOR TO JUNE.
Because of when Obama signed a 6 month extension as to recognize Jerusalem. I thought the extension (in a law dating from the 1990’s) was signed in Nov. However, it was later clarified that it was signed in Dec.
Why the hysteria in early Feb.?
Richie says
First waffling on Obamacare and now this- If Pres Trump goes soft hes finished
no_one says
He almost lost me as a supporter after the Obamacare lie, now this. Not sure how long I’ll be supporting him.
Richie says
A criticism of Donald Trump is hes Mitt Romney on steroids- a moderate who pretended to be further right to get the votes, but will shift his positions like the wind. I have a wait and see approach- hes certainly better than Hillary, but if he goes full RINO he will lose my support
Richie says
How can there ever be peace in the middle east if the Muslims want all the Jews dead?
gravenimage says
Spot on, Richie.
overman says
“their goal is to eradicate Israel”
Yes exactly, their lmams have stated this many times – it’s nothing to do with Land and all about anti-semitic jew hatred.
Julie says
We must protect the Jews and Israel. I went through a time when I was angry at Israel, and I was dead wrong. It is imperative that the Jewish state expands. It is difficult to comprehend just how dangerous Islam is. I am very worried about the Jews in Western Europe. Are we going to see another Holocaust? That cannot happen!
Kiel says
There is a huge amount of hypocrisy among the lefties and liberals. MSM is definitely not on the Jewish side – so altogether Jews and Israel are pretty alone. If not a new and invigorated America with Donald Trump at the helm is more enlighted than this new statement by the WH the situation turns bleak for Israel.
Guest says
What always gets to me is that Jewish media and Jewish politicians talking to the MSM don’t emphasise this fact enough (the islamic ongoing threats).
I get that Israel doesn’t want to be seen as ‘weak’ or ever again victims, but so many left wingers now have absolutely *no clue* how extreme islamic texts and speeches against Jewish people are.
Kay says
Left-wingers don’t know and don’t want to hear about all the antisemitism, written, spoken and acted on.
It appears Israelis choose to keep living life to the fullest in spite of the threats and attacks. But I think they expected more empathy when Mohammeden attacks started happening in Europe because we.would know what they’re living with.
What a disappointing response with so many left-wingers all over the West.
Guest says
I still don’t think they make enough noise about the attacks, while muslims make a huge fuss about a pulled-hijab claim.
Phil Copson says
Kay – just think of “Left-wing” as going through life wearing special glasses that turn everything upside-down, inside-out, and back-to-front.
Freedom is oppression, capitalism is slavery, democracy is to be despised, facts are irrelevant.
Their only “good” is to have the right attitudes and to follow the Party Line.
So on a scale of importance, the general oppression of women in Muslim countries and mass sexual attacks by Muslim men on the population of the countries they move to, scores zero, whilst Donald Trump making a coarse remark 12 years ago leads to riots.
An invented incident of hijab-pulling will drive them into a synthetic fury, but the genocide of the last Christians, Jews, and Yazidi in the Middle East, leaves them yawning.
A bomb explosion, a mass-shooting, a truck-attack etc, are simply inconveniences that happen to other people, and are to be re-cast as the fault of “the system” then forgotten about as swiftly as possible. (“Yes, but that happened WEEKS ago……”)
Being Left-wing is essentially an inoculation against the truth, so that getting the Taliban off the backs of the Afghan population will be relayed as “invading Afghanistan”,and the surrender and collapse of civilisation is parlayed as “enrichment”.
If one day, the disaffected immigrant population of Brussels makes the short walk to the EU Lie Factory down the road and slaughters them all, I am sure that the last thoughts of Merkel, Schulz, Tusk, Juncker et al as their heads part company with their necks and make their last, even-shorter journey floor-wards, will not be the realisation that Islam is the motor of violent conquest, and cannot be pacified but only restrained, or that they themselves are guilty of having betrayed the best civilisation that has ever developed, but instead will be: “This is all Nigel Farage’s fault!”
Custos Custodum says
Precisely. It is for this precise reason that the existence and health of Israel is a core ideological interest of the U.S.
Conversely, it is precisely because the existence of Israel in its current form is a core ideological interest that internationalists want to annihilate the “Jewish state.” Israel’s very existence indicts their internationalist agenda.
cs says
Trump cannot capitulate under political violence, he has been challenged, and he cannot pull back now.
marc says
” Israeli construction plans in Judea and Samaria “may not be helpful” to promote a peace agreement ” technically they are right, nothing less than full submission would pacify the savages, and building homes for jews in Israel, is definitely not submission.
jewdog says
Trump’s not going wobbly; he just can’t fully grasp the connection between Islamic jihad and the Israeli situation. Let’s not forget that we have had years and years of a pseudo-narrative fueled by liberal idiots and Soviet propaganda.
Dana says
Well said.
Terry says
I think that Trump (or his aides) said that, NOT BECAUSE HE BELIEVES IT, but to show that he is not “ANTI – MUSLIM’. Saying, in effect, I am “neutral’, then doing what he wants to do.
(And, probably telling Bibi– do it, but shut the hell up about it. Just do it.
somehistory says
I think he wants Israel to do as you said, do as they need to, but don’t announce it each time. He did tell them help was on the way…not in those words maybe, but not to give up.
Ricky Bad Black says
Just like all the Dem’s say travel ban will make us less safe. but but I thought terrorism had nothing to do with islam
Julie says
Why no ban on Saudi Arabia, Qatar or Egypt? These countries are among the biggest supporters of terrorism…and the biggest oil reserves. We have the technology to persue renewable energy and it would be cheaper.
If we didn’t need their oil, we wouldn’t have Islam shoved down our throats. Multiculturalism has been an utter failure.
C T says
They have not been identified in the past as governments unwilling/unable to help us in identifying and keeping out terrorists. In other words, they are acting as though they’re cooperating with us.
Terry says
Ban ( temporary ban, by the way) is BASED UPON TWO LAWS-PASSED IN 2015 AND 2016 AND SIGNED BY OBAMA.
THE SEVEN NATIONS ON THE LSIT ARE THE SEVEN ANTIONS IN THE LAWS. THEY WERE NOT PICKED AT RANDOM. THEY WERE PICKED BY THE 9COMBINED) INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES AS TO THE SEVEN LARGEST SUPPORTERS/SUPPLEIRS OF TERRORISM.
FOR PRES TRUMP TO HAVE ADDED OR SUBTRACTED FROM THE LSIT WOULD LEAVE HIM MUCH MORE OPEN TO CRITICISM.’
WHICH LEADS TO THE QUESTION– WHERE WERE THESE PROTESTS AND BUSINESS LEADERS OPPOSING THEM, WHEN OBAM SIGNED THESE LAWS IN 2015 & 2016?????????
Catherine says
Sounds purposely ambiguous. I’ve heard some commentators getting apoplectic over this apparent “softening”.
On the other hand, the media circus has been going rampant, stirring the pot, misreporting extravagantly about recent activity such as the travel moratorium (“Muslim ban”???) and private conversations with PM of Australia and president of Mexico, which apparently got “testy”. (Just who leaked the supposed content of those phone calls, anyway?)
So maybe it’s not a bad idea to be a bit vague about the administration’s position on such a touchy subject as “settlements”, considering the potential for more incendiary media distortion and Rent-a-Mob action in the streets, should they appear to take too firm a stand at this point.
My imagination wants to fill in the blanks, but I’m plagued with insufficient information.
We can only stay tuned, and communicate our concerns to the powers-that-be. President Trump will meet with PM Netanyahu soon. Pray it goes well.
Terry says
Regarding the conversations with the PM of Australia- I heard on Thursday parts of his (P. M. press conference).
1. he was not upset.
2. his statement was-to the effect- we discussed the issues; we disagreed; agreed to speak at a later time, and the conversation ended. when a conversation ends, the phones are hung up.
Seems the media is making more out of nothing.
basics- OBAMA-AFTER THE ELECTION- MADE A DEAL TO TAKE X THOUSAND ” REFUGEES” ( I am not sure what the number is) BUT SOMETHING LIKE OVER 1,000 ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PEOPLE WHO ARE INCARCERATED IN AUSTRALIA FOR CRIMES.
And Trump is saying 9 AND RIGHTFULLY SO–WE ARE NOT TAKING YOUR CRIMINALS).
And McCain thinks that he is president- forgeting that he lsot, and HIS STAFF TORPEDOED HIM, is trying to make foreign policy. (Calkling the Australiam Ambassador- who was not even aware that there had been a phone call- according to what I heard) and blabbering about the storng ties, etc. etc. etc.
Clearsighted says
This shouldn’t be a surprise. I sensed that there might be trouble in River City when Trump nominated “Mad Dog” Mattis to Secretary of Defense; who believes in the two-state fantasy and has appeared to blame Israel for American troops being bogged down in the Middle East. But, I hoped he would follow Trump’s orders.
Then, Trump nominated Kelly, another military type not friendly to Israel with similar views.
Then, Trump said that although he thinks Enhanced Interrogation techniques are effective, he was bowing to Mad Dog’s views against EIT.
Then, Trump walked back the embassy move.
The forces hostile to Israel are gaining the upper hand with the Trump White House and Netanyahu and Bennett strutted right into the buzz saw.
Terry says
THE EMBASSY CANNOT BE MOVED UNTIL SOMETIME IN MAY, ANYHOW. IT SI NOW THE FIRST WEEK OF FEB.
TRUMP HAS BEEN PRESIDENT 2 WEEKS (TODAY).
COME ON.
BE REALISTIC.
( The reason for May- In Nov. Obama signed a 6 mmonth extension- removing the embassy- 6 months form when he signed in Nov. is May). That is the law.
gravenimage says
True–Trump cannot do everything at once.
Julie says
It’s clear Steve Bannen is in control. Bannen follows the doctrine of the John Birch Society. This group is notoriously anti Semetic.
marc says
@Julie, Evidence please that Steve Bannon is anti semitic, dont just throw slurs like that without some evidence, following breitbart I have seen nothing but support for Israel and patriotic Jews.
Julie says
@Marc, I’m pretty sure Breitbart has spoken both for and against Israel. KellyAnne Conway and Steve Bannon belong or have belonged to the Council for National Policy. It’s a secretive organization and with good reason. These people are Dominionists. Their idea of God is extreme and creepy. It reminds me of “Rosemary’s Baby.”At the end of this movie everyone chants “Hail Satan.”
marc says
@Julie, that’s not evidence, a link please, a quote, not more unsubstantiated slanders.
Terry says
Marc- regarding Steve Bannon & Breitbart–I posted this also a short time ago- the head of Breitbart’s London office is Jewish.
he was asked the question ( the interview is or was on U Tube)-. His answer- there (is or was) a palce for people to write their opinions. One (or possibly more) people wrote Anti-Israel and/or Anti-Semetic remarks. Breitbart did not remove them Someone asked Bannon why not. His response ( paraphrasing the London person- who is an American) – people have the right to their ideas-regardless if I or the staff agree or disagree.
The man went on to say that many of the top people at Breitbart are jews.
gravenimage says
I’ve never seen any evidence that Breitbart is antisemitic–just the opposite, in fact.
Terry says
The socalled evidence that Bannon is an anti Semite. ON BREITBART- THERE IS (OR WAS) A PLACE FOR OPINIONS.
ON SOME SUBJECT, SOMEONE POSTED ANTI-ISRAELI COMMENTS.
BANNON DID NOT REMOVE, SAYING THAT THE PEROSN IS ENTITLED TO HIS VIEWS.
THAT WAS THE EXTENT OF IT.
The head of Breitbart’s London bureau was interviewed ( actually was on U Tube also)- and spoke about it. He ( head of the London office-is Jewish). He further said that many of the top people at Breitbart are Jewish.
As to the John Birsch Society- when I was in college in NY, they were popular. I knew one of the top people in the NYC area- forgot the name- went to college with his daughter- NOT ANTI-SEMETIC AT ALL.
‘
Anti USELESS NATIONS. ANTI LBJ AND LIBERALS. FIRST ONES TO SAY: GET THE US OUT OIF THE US AND THE UN OUT OF THE US.
I never heard anything about Jews or Israel that was negative.
Had a GREAT BOOKLET—” NONE DARE CALL IT TREASON”– TRUER TODAY THEN BACK THEN.
And, I did not know that they were still around.
PRODOS says
Sean Spicer states: “… The Trump administration has not taken an official position on settlement activity and looks forward to continuing discussions, including with Prime Minister Netanyahu when he visits with President Trump later this month.”
That’s not a rejection of Settlements.
And Israel International News writes: “U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Israel to stop its unilateral announcements of new construction in Judea and Samaria, an UNNAMED official in Washington told the Jerusalem Post on Thursday.”
That’s an unverifiable claim.
The new American administration is quite capable of speaking plainly through NAMED officials when it wants to clarify its position.
If the “unnamed official” is a leftover Obama era appointee he’s not a reliable source of Trump administration views.
Commentor, Marc, writes: “Steve Bannon is anti semitic.”
I have not EVER come across any Anti-Semitism from Stephen Bannon.
PRODOS says
Correction: Marc did NOT state “Steve Bannon is anti semitic”
He was in fact CHALLENGING the claim made by Julie.
Marc, sorry about that. My stuff-up.
marc says
@PRODOS yep me either, I did not say that, I was asking the previous commenter, Julie for evidence to her claim that he was. I think he’s kosher, pun intended 🙂 Julie was admittedly recently a DNC supporter so may have to catch up a bit. The leftists have been smearing him with that nazi and kkk slander since he was first mentioned for the new administration, all based on one quote that his EXwife made regarding his not wanting his daughter to go to a school with a large proportion of Jewish Princesses, as a modern orthodox Jew, I might have that same concern.
putridislam says
Neither have I. Bannon’s Breitbard Jerusalem section proves some of that.
Terry says
I agree- BUT THERE IS ANOTHE RPOINT–NOT MENTIONED IN ANYTHING THAT I HAVE SEEN ON JW (OR EVEN MOST OF THE PRESS).
1. PERMITS WERE ISSUED. However, :
There was no time frame as to WHEN THESE SETTLEMENTS WERE TO BE BUILT-OR STARTED TO BE BUILT.
2. PERMITS WERE ISSUED SOME YEARS AGO, FOR SETTLEMENTS (I AM NOT SURE WHERE IN ISRAEL)- BUT NOTHING WAS EVER DONE WITH THEM. IE. NOTHIBN WAS BUILT IN THE AREA- for whatever the reasons. Could be politiical 9domestic or international); economic ( area cannot be self sustaining or viable); ecomogical (land unsuitablle for building); or using whatever means-people don’t want to live in the area; or a combination. Or, the issuing could have bene done to pacify the public.
Guest says
He can’t win. If he makes quick decisions, the left calls him reckless and extreme. If he says he’ll think and talk to people, his supporters here melt away? My main concern is that he should help Israel do what it wants, but I’m not convinced that Israelis are that sure – many do want a two state ‘solution’. Maybe one can only live surrounded by islamic neighbours if one tries hard to believe the ‘islam is peace’ meme….
underbed cat says
President Trump, said he will not signal some of his strategy….but if he says that Israel should back down to Hamas, and the Palestinians would be peaceful, the doctrine does not support that analysis nor has the history, no matter how good a “deal maker” Trump may be, he needs non- muslim Islamic experts at his side. Hamas wants Israel gone….and will protest ,send missiles, and use theatrics, even work to create victims. He may be currently be surrounded by influences that of the Democratic status quo that have done a full attack on his abilities, character and intelligence….the worst is the description he is unstable….I hope he sticks to being thoughtful, precise, directed and knowledgable, my disappointment is he often takes the bait.
Terry says
Actually, I think ” taking the bait” is to screw with the left’s and liberal medias brains.
Take- his claims about illegal voters. (By the way, the man who said the 3 million illegal voters- to prove his point- HE REGISTERED IN THREE DIFFERENT STATES – WITH HSI REAL NAME, SHOWING NO PICTURE ID. TO VOTE–I don’t know if he voted in all three- they are not contguous -I think ZTexas and Louisiana were two of the three- not sure.
After the media going crazy to disprove it, he (Pres. Trump says, ” well, that is not my top concern, now).
media and the liberals and far lefties are left looking like assholes- for all of the time spent.
putridislam says
This admission was made by an “unnamed person at the Jerusalem post”? ahem, yeah sure.
awake says
He’s under a collective global media assault. There were several “news” articles today that included unnamed sources in the administration and the military. It appears the place is still infested.
I can’t imagine Trump going publicly against Israel’s sovereignty, in any fashion.
underbed cat says
Agree awake, infested with the concern of hate speech, unable to speak truthfully about who the enemy is, when is comes to the global islamic terrorism….hopefully Bannon can steer the right people and remap the way which would elminate the current denial with the facts and not the current political correct and MB influence. Better relations with Russia may be possible since they also have been affected terrorism from the same source.
President Trump really has inherited Obama’s clever hidden destructive machinations, pressing for hate speech laws, arousing the ancharists just enough then remaining silent and in some hostile form always blaming racism. Right to the end of his administration he was setting the world to spin out of control. And then walk off with high ratings from the left….or so they say.
Kiel says
This set-off offers no new approach to the situation in Judea and Samaria and a “lasting peace.” Such a peace is not attainable – not as long as a jihad-prerogative is valid currency in the Arab world.
The new administration just sounds as all the former: more of the same which not working.
C T says
Yes, of course constructing new buildings isn’t helpful right now. What in the world can Israel be thinking? So grateful Spicer is honest about this. We can question the wisdom of an action even if we support the country doing it.
A new US administration is working to address the Islamist problem with a very hostile media at home, and Israel has to barrel ahead and cause problems right now? It’s idiotic of them, no matter how justified they might be legally. With weakened or failing states around and extremists looking for a cause to rally to, Israel is foolish to push a big confrontation with the people around it.
gravenimage says
So–Israel building homes is “causing problems”, but Muslims slaughtering Jews and vowing to “wipe Israel off the map” is not?
SaipanSam says
I agree. Trump should be doubling down. Send more funding to build settlements. Enough of this pathetic liberal rabble…
Noah T says
Why do we care what the Arab nations think? If guys like Mattis continue to care about this, we are going to lose the war against the Islamic Supremacists.
Guest says
The Breitbart article on this says it’s a clever way to sound appeasing while really supporting current settlements and more building within their current boundaries:
http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2017/02/02/settlements-fake-news-trump-opposes-israel/
“As legal scholar Eugene Kontorovich explains:
The White House Press Secretary’s statement about settlement building is a huge change of policy, in which the U.S. broadly accepts all building within settlements, including those settlements outside of “blocs.” This is huge.
In the statement, the White House says the building of entirely “new settlements” is not great (but not sharply criticized). On the other hand, building “within existing settlement lines,” ie municipal boundaries, is totally OK. Since all building for 20 years has been within existing lines, and all planned building is within existing lines, this is as big an authorization as it gets.
This is such a big deal, that the press is trying to spin it as a limitation on settlement activity, whereas it is a broad and historic green light. It can no longer be said that the US opposes settlement building.
Perhaps the White House deliberately spun the statement as a limitation to fool the media. That is not hard to do, and it is to President Trump’s benefit, as a negotiating tactic, to appear unpredictable — aggressive one moment, compromising the next.
Nevertheless, the Trump administration has just signaled its intent to back a permanent Jewish presence in eastern Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), with or without a Palestinian state. The Palestinians will see what the Times missed.”
David, Thailand says
Trump is the free world’s last chance to recognise and acknowledge that the ME conflict has nothing to do with land or settlements or global warming, and everything to do with Islam vs rest of humanity.
Najwa says
Our Leader may wobble, but he won’t Fall Off The Wall. You have to *trust* that he has a plan.