Political Quotes

“This month marks Jewish American Heritage Month. So now seems a fitting time to look back on the history of the State of Israel and remember it accurately. In recent weeks there has been much attention paid to the announcement of new construction in East Jerusalem. Lost in the debate were some basic facts about settlements and the historical context that must be remembered. Today I want to set the record straight and outline six key facts about settlements. No. 1, the construction under debate is not in Arab East Jerusalem, but in a Jewish neighborhood in northern Jerusalem. Not only has this area never been governed under Palestinian authority, but there has never been a question of to whom the land belongs. Under every possible two-state plan, including the plan produced by President Clinton at Camp David in 2000 and the scenario and the letter from President Bush to Prime Minister Sharon in 2004, this area would be part of Israel. No. 2, Jerusalem is not a settlement. Jerusalem has been a Jewish majority since 1870. And every Israeli Government since 1967 has recognized Jerusalem as the sovereign capital of Israel, not part of the West Bank. To reduce Jerusalem to anything less undermines the very foundation of Israel. No. 3, settlements are not an obstacle to peace. This is where remembering history is especially important. Twice Israel has given up land and removed settlers in an effort to make peace, and each time peace was rejected.”