New York Times Editorial, "Shortsighted Thinking on Israeli Settlements": How About First Providing All of the Facts

In an editorial entitled "Shortsighted Thinking on Israeli Settlements" (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/13/opinion/shortsighted-thinking-on-israeli-settlements.html?_r=0), The New York Times takes the position:

"Why further complicate these already complicated negotiations three days before they start? And why add to the abundant distrust that already divides the two sides after nearly two decades of failed peace efforts? Mr. Kerry’s timetable may be overoptimistic, but no two-state solution can ever be reached if Israel expands its settlements on territory that will eventually become part of a Palestinian state. True, they can be removed, as they were when Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in 2005. But every increase in the settlement population expands the already politically powerful block of settler voters who will resist removal."

However, the Times editorial does not say where this new housing is planned. As reported by The Jerusalem Post (http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Israel-announces-tenders-for-new-settlement-homes-in-West-Bank-322690):

"According to the ministry, 793 of the new homes will be in Jewish neighborhoods of east Jerusalem. It includes 400 new units in Gilo, 210 in Har Homa and 183 in Pisgat Ze’ev.

In addition it plans to publish tenders for 394 new homes in West Bank settlement blocs that Israeli believes it will retain in any final status agreement with the Palestinians.

This includes 117 new homes in Ariel, 149 in Efrat, 92 in Ma’aleh Adumim and 36 in Betar Illit."

In short, the new housing is planned for areas which will be retained by Israel pursuant to the peace plans, involving land swaps, proposed in the past by Israeli prime ministers Barak and Olmert.

And if settlements will need to be removed as part of an all-encompassing peace with the Palestinians, Israel will do so, as was done in 2005 - as acknowledged by the Times - in Gaza.

You see, the Palestinians refuse to have any Jews living in their new nation, yet it is Israel that is forever being condemned as "apartheid."

Meanwhile, observe the plans of Bishara Shlayan, an Israeli Christian Arab from Nazareth, to build "a new Arab Christian settlement, open to all, in the West Bank" (see: http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/New-pro-Israel-Arab-party-says-EU-boycott-counterproductive-322864).

A new Christian settlement, albeit Arab Christian, in the West Bank? Do you think there is any chance that Fatah and Hamas will be open to such a proposal?

Not a snowball's chance in hell.