...applied racism, anti-Jewish racism, demanded by a self-declared "progressive" president and by his right hand woman, a self-declared "liberal", the US secretary of state. The territory in question is IN DISPUTE, to be resolved through direct talks without any preconditions, as was agreed by the US, Israel and the PLO/PA. And since these are the terms of reference, the US must insist on having the Arabs meeting them, without siding with the Arabs, demanding of Jews, only because they are Jewish, to refrain from moving into and building their homes in certain villages, towns and even city neighborhoods. Thus, let us all call to end racism, anti-Jewish racism included...!!

The US has been rewarding Palestinian bad behavior since Oslo. It has always been US policy to use it's veto in the Security Council to shield Israel from unfair & one-sided resolutions. Now, this policy has become conditional, it is used as a threat. Theoretically, the US has also maintained our military qualitative superiority. This too is now conditional. The Obama administration created the whole mess with it's demand for a settlement freeze. This was never a US demand. Naturally, the Palestinians seized the occasion to torpedo talks that they wanted to avoid. The fault is squarely on the Obama administration. If Mr Kurtzer is so experienced in the Middle-East, he should realize that the Palestinians do not want peace. So, he is either not an expert or he is a liar.

does not like the fact his advise is bad and his policy backfired-and refuses to admit the truth and reality. Obama seems to be promising not to allow anti-Israel motions in UN for one year...after that Obama will try to stick it to Israel. By then Obama will be campaigning for another term of office/ The recent US election was NOT pro-Republican party it was anti Obama !

Why hadn't he pointed out the pal incitement before he became an ex? Now he brings it only as a figleaf for his Israel bashing .

From Yid wth Lid: "When Daniel Kurtzer was part of the George HW Bush's administration he was known as one of Secretary of State James Baker's team of "Jew Boys."--- Kurtzer, Dennis Ross, and Aaron Miller. They were Baker's closest advisers and the designers of the Bush's policy to reach out to the PLO, appease terrorism and blame Israel for everything."

Where were the Palestinians? If 10 months weren't enough, why would 3 more months make a difference? #3 Misha makes an excellent point - Mr Kurtzer is probably partially responsible for the bad advice he gave Obama which caused this mess. Typical bureaucrat, he wants to cover his tuchas. I think, however, that there is a problem with putting the terms of this crappy deal in writing & this is an effort to start backing away from the deal.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN A FORMER AMBASSADOR WHO DARES TO INSULT THE FOREIGN COUNTRY WHERE HE WORKED

rather been the fact that the Arabs reject categorically Israel's right to exist as the national home of the Jewish people. If the former ambassador is eager to assist, he should suggest strongly to the US President to demand of the Arabs, before anything else, to accept Israel's right to exist as the nation state of the Jewish people.

For a crime whose regular punishment is 2-4 years, under the guise of allegations which were proven as completely false. (The first TB for this piece in the Hebrew site).

Mr Kurtzer has some very anti-Israel opinions. For those of you who are curious to see just how anti-Israel this guy is, there is an excellent article at The American Thinker website by Ed Lasky titled, ''Obama's New Foreign Policy Advisor Daniel Kurtzer.'' http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/04/obamas_new_foreign_policy_advi.html

Of course this deal making is harmful to both Israel and the US, but not for the reasons forwarded by Kurtzer. The initial freeze was the result of the US creating an impasse in demanding Israel to concede any claims on post '49 armistice lines by freezing all construction. This included Jerusalem and excluded any building by the Palestinians. The 10 month freeze that Israel instituted only whetted the appetite of the Palestinians and did not advance any negotiations. Perhaps if the Obama administration would invest less effort into toppling Israel's current coalition and more into further negotiations then this bad deal wouldn't be necessary. It is a disgrace that Netanyahu lets Barak guide him by the ear into the mud in order to keep Ehud in charge of labor. Hopefully both Netanyahu and Obama will mend their ways and start acting with integrity.

Another self hating Hamas loving Jew!!! Friend of Obama. What else to expect???? Kurtzer speaks Hebrew BUT is extremely biased against Israel and it is well known that he urged extreme concessions from Israel but NOT the enemies of Israel. Kurtzer another Soros puppet!!!!!

This has basically force borders to be set within a year but 40yrs lease from PA on some land will allow resettlement to be spread out. The settlers and refugees have lose but most don't fully understand it yet.

Kurtzer is just like all the rest of the foreign negotiators we've always had to deal with,naive,bordering on stupid.One day someone will step up to the plate and go directly to the heart of the issue and that is ,Islam.No Islamic people will ever except a Jewish state in their midst,period!END OF STORY!!

http://emunadate.blogspot.com/

Almost all those commenting appear deaf (when influential friends proffer serious advice) and legally blind to reality. Keep things as they are and Israel will be a minority Jewish state within a generation. Navel-gazing machismo (meet force with much more force; we don't need anyone else; anyone who disagrees is a Jew-hater or a self-hating Jew), imported Obama-bashing FauxNews selfrighteousness and out-of-touch religiosity are no substitute for national policy in the modern world.

When did it become okay to restrict only Jews from building. If they want a building freeze than it should be on everyone, Muslims and Jews. For Obama and Kurtzer it is fine that Iran and Saudi fund Muslim building in West Bank and Jerusalem at extreme speed while USA stops Jews from building. I can understand wanting to maintain the status quo- but that is no what is happening. This is pure discrimination against Jews! Thank goodness Kurtzer is no longer the ambassador- We have overcome many types of discrimination, hopefully, with God's help, we will overcome the Obama people and the self hating Jews as well.

All the money that goes to the "palestinians" is one big bribe because everyone knows that they would never play "peace" without being able to fill the bank accounts in switzerland.

It is quite unlikely Israel will come to regret it, 90 days freeze, after that full steam construction, written guarantees for UN vetoes, written guarantees for vetoing PA moves toward declaration of state, written guarantees for free F35 squadron. What exactly does the US or the peace process get out of this??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gTvoe2fkU2w

When he was the US Ambassador to Israel, he was widely referred to as 'Kurtzer the little Jew-boy' because he was/is always doing the bidding of Israel-haters. Some things never change.

or did he have it sewn back on????

First, for an envoy to ever speak of a country with the term "bad behavior" is unthinkable - this is like a parent disciplining child. Where in the world does this fellow get off saying such a thing? Second, to equate the Jewish people building on her own land with bad behavior is beyond moronic. Why doesn't this expert talk about the "bad behavior" of Iran developing nukes? Or doesn't this expert think that that is bad behavior? Third, Israel should not put up with a supposed friend threatening her. Fourth, if anyone's behavior is bad, aside from Kurtzer's, it is the Arabs. How many people do they need to kill or threaten to kill before Kurtzer gets it through his thick skull that they want to kill off the state of Israel. The Israel project poll just showed that most of the Arabs in the territories want to use a two state solution as a means to achieve a one state solution - which translated means the destruction of Israel. Fifth, I think I will join the diplomatic corp. and become an expert like Kurtzer because an expert is a fellow who doesn't want to learn anything new; otherwise, he wouldn't be an expert anymore.

The real problem is the U.S.'s failure to recognize the reality on the ground. It is that the Palestinians do not want peace. All the polls show it. And more importantly their leadership 's action indicates it clearly. Also do not forget that 'Hamas' will never even pretend to accept a Jewish state. The U.S. ignorance and immoral 'even- handedness' led them to focusing on the 'settlements'. They just have been fools about this. And continue to be. One - sided strong support of the only democracy in the area is the proper policy.

for bad behaviour or no behaviour at all. What is this ex-diplomat saying?

How could Dan Kurtzer really be a Torah believer? It makes no sense. He is against Israel retaining Jerusalem. He is in favor of a Palestinian State on Jewish-historically Jewish land. How can he go to shul and pray? If he was not Orthodox- then maybe- but Orthodox and modern? Really? Who is his Rav?

Is there is single person who responds in talkback who has the slightest knowledge of international law? The settlements are not disputed territory to the rest of the world, they are simply illegal. They violate article 49 of the Geneva Convention per a 2004 ruling by the International Court of Justice and 9 UNSC resolutions going back to 1978. You exist because of US vetoes in the Security Council. Three times every member of that Council voted for economic sanctions against Israel which were more severe than those currently imposed on Iran. I should say every member "but" the US which issued the vetoes. The United States has cast almost forty vetoes for Israel's benefit since 1948 and almost universally, in each instance, ours was the sole one cast. As a reward for that and $3 billion a year in free military aid we get, as a reward ,Jonathon Pollard. You will never get peace or the respect of the rest of the world unless you learn how to obey the law.

Asking Israel to freeze the construction in the West Bank and Jerusalem as pre-condition to the peace negotiations was bribe to Palestinians and a very bad advise to the new administration I hope that the agreement for the temporary freeze will be finally accomplished and the Palestinians will realise that bribe is not paying