Mitchell postpones Israel visit

[Tripmann]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0316/breaking24.html

US Middle East envoy George Mitchell has postponed plans to visit Israel following a decision to proceed with a plan to build 1,600 Jewish homes in part of the occupied West Bank.

Protesters clashed with police in several locations in East Jerusalem over the plan and at least 40 Palestinians have been treated in East Jerusalem hospitals. Police said two policemen were hurt.

The violence was another challenge to US efforts to revive Middle East peace talks after Israel angered Palestinians and touched off a dispute with Washington by announcing plans to build 1,600 homes for Jews in a part of the occupied West Bank it annexed to Jerusalem.

Mr Mitchell postponed his trip to the region today after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would not curb such construction, opposed by the United States, in and around East Jerusalem.

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Good. This may help actually give the US some extra credibility in the peace negotiations.

[crim son]

1. Extra credibility.

We sure need it.

[Wilms]

2. He must be an anti-semite.

:sarcasm: