Netanyahu defies U.S. over Jerusalem settlement

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday rejected any curbs on Jewish settlement in and around Jerusalem, defying Washington in Israel's deepening crisis with U.S. President Barack Obama's administration.

"For the past 40 years, no Israeli government ever limited construction in the neighborhoods of Jerusalem," he said in a speech in parliament, citing areas in the West Bank that Israel captured in 1967 and unilaterally annexed to the city.

The United States has condemned Israel's plan to build 1,600 new homes for Jews in Ramat Shlomo, a religious settlement within the Israeli-designated borders of Jerusalem, whose future status is at the heart of the Middle East conflict.

Israel's announcement of the project during a visit last week by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden embarrassed the White House. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in unusually blunt remarks, called it an insult.

The Palestinians, who had just agreed to begin indirect peace talks under U.S. mediation, have said they will not go ahead unless the plan is scrapped.

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Well thanks a bunch Israel! They sure as hell want a war don't they!!!

We need to get the HELL OUT OF THERE. We are putting our soldiers lives at risk because of this.

PULL OUT NOW. Take no sides and LEAVE as they all seem well intent to blow each other up.

It's time to start taking care of OUR OWN COUNTRY.