Surprise, surprise.

Can we at least stop funding the settlers with American taxpayer money then? (Too late to ask for our billions back?)

Can we withdraw American troops from the region, in the coming decades, and let the Israelis fend for themselves against the "terrorists" who will fight back, fight for the homeland that is continually being taken from them?

If the UN has no legitimacy to Israel now, having served its purpose back in '48, then let Israel fight -- alone -- to preserve the independence of their UN-created homeland. If it wasn't won fairly, and it can't be defended fairly apparently either, then why are we risking American blood and treasure to boost the misconceptions of religious extremists? (G-d given title, to take land as they see fit.)

Are we still pretending that what's going on between Palestine and Israel has no bearing on terrorism? Anybody still believe that? How about the belief that the U.S. is backing the wrong wronged party here? That one starting to catch on, in any enlightened circles?? Inquiring minds want to know...

U.S. Ends Push to Renew Israeli Freeze on Settlements
By MARK LANDLER

WASHINGTON — After three weeks of fruitless haggling with the Israeli government, the Obama administration has given up its effort to persuade Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to renew an expired freeze on the construction of Jewish settlements for 90 days, two senior officials said on Tuesday.

The decision leaves Middle East peace talks in limbo, with the Palestinians refusing to resume negotiations absent a settlement freeze and the United States struggling to find another formula to bring them back to negotiations. It is the latest setback in what has proved to be a tortuous engagement for President Obama.

Officials said the administration decided to pull the plug because it concluded that even if Mr. Netanyahu persuaded his cabinet to accept an extension — which he had not yet been able to do — the 90-day negotiating period would not have produced the progress on core issues that the administration originally had hoped for.

Speaking of pulling the plug,
symbolically, isn't it time to let Sharon -- and all his administrations stood for -- die the most dignified death possible? Let the past be past, and look to the future... But then again, why?

If you've got American troops stationed in your backyard, and the American Prez pretty much telling Israel, "Our ally: right or wrong. Your crimes are our crimes, and we will pay for your sins... We got your back, no matter what." Heck, you might not realize what you're risking until it's much much to late to take positive actions to improve your position... although I suppose they've got another potential ally all picked out to support them and replace us, once the American moneytree runs dry...