by Daniel Pipes
March 17, 2010
Cross-posted from National Review Online
Mar. 26, 2010 update: Rick Richman clarifies just how preposterous this “crisis” is by transcribing an interview George Mitchell gave in January 2010, where he indicates he has no problem with the Israelis building in Jerusalem. After noting that the 10-month moratorium on building does not include eastern Jerusalem, Mitchell notes with equinamity the announcement of new building there and explains that “for the Israelis, what they’re building in is in part of Israel.” The exchange then goes on:
GEORGE MITCHELL: Now, the others don’t see it that way. So you have these widely divergent perspectives on the subject. Our view is let’s get into negotiations. Let’s deal with the issues and come up with the solution to all of them including Jerusalem which will be exceedingly difficult but, in my judgment, possible. The Israelis are not going to stop settlements in, or construction in East Jerusalem. They don’t regard that as a settlement because they think it’s part of Israel. …
CHARLIE ROSE: So you’re going to let them go ahead even though no one recognizes the annexation?
MITCHELL: You say “Let them go ahead.” It’s what they regard as their country. They don’t say they’re letting us go ahead when we build in Manhattan.
Comment: The comparison of Jerusalem to Manhattan is priceless.
