As Netanyahu aggressively pursues more settlements in the West Bank, he might run into a few snags, some of them of a diplomatic nature.
Romanian authorities have refused to let Romanian workers in the West Bank be employed in the construction of new settlements.
In fact, Netanyahu's settlement plans are running afoul of the entire EU lending structure. The new guidelines, when they do come into effect, actually prohibit any funding to any entity that works in the Palestinian territories.
Netanyahu, just yesterday also announced that he would not attend the memorial for heroic leader Nelson Mandela, citing the cost such trip would entail.
That alone, is sparking doubts on Netanyahu's ability to work within the frame of international diplomacy or whether he is wiling to live in an insular manner without any regard to what other countries are asking from the state of Israel in regards to the Palestinian question.
Maybe he has not taken notice of the growing global concern over the isolation and poor living condition of people in the occupied territory.
Just this week, Israel got into a row with Dutch representative in Israel who came to inaugurate a new security system, since Netanyahu accused the Dutch of wanting to impose conditions on the deal. In fact, Dutch Foreign Minister Fran Timmermans even refused an escort as he toured the West Bank. The security system was supposed to help export of goods from Gaza to the West Bank.
At this time, the occupied territories and especially Gaza, are running out of prime goods and materials, and especially fuel. Electricity service is sporadic, even in the depth of winter.
It is only a matter of time, until Israel will have to make concessions on the occupied territories. The rhetoric of wanting it all, at any cost, has caused even more pressure and scrutiny over Netanyahu's governance and in particular his plans for the occupied territories.
Op-Ed
Partial Source : al Jazeera/ 12.10.13
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