** More Photos Added! ** Yesterday Hillary met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at a dinner. Earlier in the day she delivered strong words to Israel that the U.S. wants to "see a stop to settlements – not some settlements, not outposts, not natural growth exceptions." She continued by saying, "We think it is in the best interests of the effort that we are engaged in that settlement expansion cease. That is our position. That is what we have communicated very clearly, not only to the Israelis but to the Palestinians and others. And we intend to press that point."
Today the Secretary attended the President's meeting this afternoon with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. This came a day after Secretary Clinton called for Israel to halt all construction of settlements, considered illegal by the international community as they are civilian communities built on war-conquered land. Read the post on it here.
But today, just hours before President Obama and Secretary Clinton's meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, the Israeli government flatly rejected the U.S.'s demand.
Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said that "normal life in those communities must be allowed to continue," meaning that some construction will continue in existing settlements.
A spokesman for Mr Netanyahu said that permission would be given to continue construction in existing settlements, some of which are sprawling towns built in the four decades that Israel has occupied the West Bank. “Normal life in those communities must be allowed to continue,” said spokesman Mark Regev.
Mr Netanyahu refuses to endorse the concept of an independent Palestinian state, but today the President insisted that a two-state solution is the only way ahead.
Read more about the meeting with Abbas or a full transcript at the White House blog here.
5 comments:
It's so cool how Hillary is always the only woman when these meetings take place. She is still breaking barriers. I am in awe of her every single day.
She is definitely a trailblazer!
I don't think there is anything *cool* about Hillary being the only woman. It's pretty clear to me that Rahm Emanuel is snubbing her in these pics. My perception is that she and Biden are both increasingly marginalized within Obama's inner circle. And, given her policy experience, knowledge and great political skill, I think that is incredibly unfortunate.
hehe, I think the first picture of Biden and Hillary is cute!
I know that pic so CUTE! I love Hillary and Biden together!
I think in some ways it is AWESOME that Hillary is the only woman in these high level meetings... mostly because I know how deserving she is and how much she can bring to the table. but I can see the other side to this. There should be more powerful women in our government. Our government should be a reflection of our nations people, and it currently is not.
but still, props to Hill for being that woman among all the dudes!
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