Staying Real in Israel
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Why is the U.S. so darned concerned about whether or not Israel builds homes for her citizens in the capital city of Jerusalem!!!

I think we are talking “Chutzpah” here…the Imperial Majesty of the United States of America is all in a tizzy because her vassal state of the Banana Republic of Israel will not bow to the demands of her master, the U.S., as to when, where and how to build homes…pretty unbelievable, if you ask me…

The Obama administration is snubbing the Mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat by not receiving him in an appropriate, dignified official capacity (welcome to the club, Mayor Barkat, says Prime Minister Netanyahu) because he has the audacity to say that his country, Israel, will, indeed, continue to build homes for Israelis in the capital, Jerusalem. And HOW DARE such a peon openly express his dissatisfaction with the public dissing of Israel by the American administration…who does he think he is, anyway?…The Mayor of Jerusalem, or something like that???

And then, the Americans think that they can sidle up and make nice with the Interior Minister, Eli Yishai, in spite of the fact that it was, most likely, Yishai himself that was responsible for the announcement of the Jerusalem building plans during US VP Biden’s visit to Israel…the event that started the tempest in the teapot boiling away in the first place…

Seems the Americans think that we Israelis are not only unimportant and weak, but stupid as well…

Good for you, Mayor Barkat, for telling it like it is and doing the job that you were elected to do…looking after the interests of the Capital City of Israel, Jerusalem and her inhabitants…

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat

Jerusalem mayor shunned by top US officials


Following harsh statements against Obama Administration, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat’s request to meet with Clinton, Mitchell denied; Israeli official slams mayor’s remarks, says his actions undermine renewal of negotiations

Reprinted from YNetnews.com Yitzhak Benhorin

Administration rejected Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat’s request to meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Special Mideast Envoy George Mitchell, Ynet has learned.

Barkat, who is visiting Washington, continued his attacks on the US government Wednesday, further embarrassing the Netanyahu government.

In the interview, Barkat said his positions on the Jerusalem issue are identical to PM Netanyahu’s views; however, an Israeli official expressed anger at the mayor’s conduct “at such sensitive period in US-Israel ties, when every housing unit in Jerusalem gains prominence.”

Uncoordinated meetings
A senior Israeli official said “Jerusalem is a sensitive issue when we’re on the verge of entering talks.” Addressing Barkat’s visit and remarks, the official said: “He arrived here without any authority to engage in diplomatic issues and without any responsibility – he arrived and is causing damage.”

On Tuesday, Barkat met American reporters and was quoted as saying that President Obama’s move constituted a slap in Israel’s face.

While the Jerusalem mayor informed the Israeli embassy in Washington of his arrival, he independently coordinated meetings in Congress and with the US media, without coordinating his moves with Israeli diplomats in charge of these issues.

Israeli Interior Minister Eli Yishai

Minister Yishai officially invited to White House


US seeks closer ties with minister held responsible for controversial construction decision

Reprinted from YNetnews.com Roni Sofer

American bear hug? Interior Minister Eli Yishai has been officially invited to visit the White House.

The decision is apparently the result of the US Administration’s desire to forge closer ties with the minister they perceive to be behind the east Jerusalem construction turmoil during Vice President Joe Biden’s visit in Israel.

During Biden’s visit last month, the Interior Ministry approved the construction of 1,800 housing units in east Jerusalem’s Ramat Shlomo neighborhood.

The invitation was handed to Yishai by Dan Shapiro, Director of the Middle East department at the National Security Council.

Shapiro was also the one who reprimanded Yishai following the east Jerusalem construction decision, yet despite the harsh tones, the interior minister was asked to visit Washington at that time already. The official invitation, as noted, was extended Wednesday.

At the time, Yishai expressed his satisfaction in respect to the US holding him responsible for the east Jerusalem construction affair.

In an interview with Shas’ journal, he said that he “thanks the Creator for being given the right to be the minister who approves the construction of thousands of housing units in Jerusalem. This is the Jewish people’s capital. We built in Jerusalem for many years, and we’ll continue to build it.”