Did Netanyahu Know?

[ProgressiveMuslim]

Joe Biden was kicked in the balls as he came to Israel with a simultaneous "fuck you" by the Israeli government announcing new settlements - 1600 houses - in East Jerusalem. The immediate spin was that Netanyahu was blindsided by the actions of his Interior Department and was embarrassed.

(snip)

I cannot read Netanyahu's mind. But I can observe Israel's actions. They intend to occupy and colonize the entire West Bank for ever. They may allow some parceled enclaves for Palestinians, but they will maintain a big military presence on the Eastern border of West Bank, and they will sustain this with raw military power and force. I certainly cannot see any other rationale for their actions these past few years that makes any sense at all. Many Israeli politicians now use the term "apartheid" for this future.

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2010/03/did-netanyahu-know.html#more

[ShortnFiery]

1. He knew. eom

[aranthus]

2. At this point, does it matter if he knew?

Did he know that there were plans to build? Almost certainly. Did he know that there was going to be an announcement about it just as Biden arrived? If he didn't, I think that he would do something about the embarrassment. He hasn't, at least not publicly. There's already been a Ha'aretz article posted about how this incident has (intentionally?) set back peace talks. The announcement was intended to send a message. Has Netanyahu done anything to counter that message? Has he done anything to reverse the predictable withdrawal of the Palestinian side from talks, or the equally predictable withdrawal of the Arab League? No. So, even if he didn't know about the announcement ahead of time, he's ratified it. Add to that that he's the PM, and the US can hold him personally responsible.

[LeftishBrit]

3. No idea whether he knew. It does however represent his general policies

Though, as regards the details, it's quite possible that different parts of the government don't know what other ones are doing.

As I said in another thread, the Netanyahu government seems both nasty and incompetent - these aren't mutually exclusive.

[aranthus]

4. Agreed.

Though I find it very hard to believe that he didn't know about a plan to build that many housing units. He may not have known that the announcement was going to be made just when Biden came by for a visit, but then he doesn't seem to have done much about it.