Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes, centre, visits an area in the process of reconstruction after the Israeli offensive in Gaza, east of Jebaliya in the northern of Gaza Strip, on Tuesday. Photo: AP. Israel has amended the country’s planning procedures on announcing new settlement projects, in the aftermath of what could become a key week is US|Israeli relations.

The change endorsed by a parliamentary legislation committee Thursday will require a representative of the prime minister to be present when development plans are approved. The change aims to ensure the country’s leader is not caught off guard by politically charged decisions, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was by the approval of 1,600 new homes for Jews in east Jerusalem during Biden’s visit. via AP

Calling the event a ‘mishap’, it seems that the Israelis are scrambling to correct a PR fumble, rather than admit that perhaps — once and for all — the cards are on the table. Whether accidental or intentional, it would have been worse for the announcement to be made two weeks from now, as Israel suggested a couple days ago.

The truth of Israel’s intentions are now clear. Metaphorically-speaking, Israel gave us the finger this week. Facts are facts.

via Flickr’s top pocket manI’m happy the event happened, although the US doesn’t need any more humiliation this moment. We’re starting to feel like Rocky Balboa!

Going forward, Anne of Carversville will not attempt to sugar coat this Israeili-Palestinian peace process for one more moment. There are no good guys in this whole mess - on either side.

We’re convinced there will be no peace in Israel-Palestine, and US foreign policy should be reframed with that understanding in mind. If peace comes, it will be as a big surprise and we will not make it happen.

As Israel’s chief ally and focus of Muslim hatred for this relationship, America should take the wider view of what this means to our country — not only Israel.

Americans and all the people in the region deserve consideration — not just all the believers that Jerusalem is the next scene of a Biblical fireball, and the saved are going to heaven.

America’s right-wing hawks, anchored in Christian fundamentalism, have vowed that not a drop of Muslim blood will ever have rights in Jerusalem.

The Associated Press reported that police will only allow Palestinian women and Palestinian men over 50 years of age to pray on Friday (today) at the Jerusalem holy site known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount. via NYTimes The Lede

Reuters reports a far more volatile situation: Confrontations, anger in Jerusalem over building. Haaretz reports that Jerusalem police are allowing far-rightists march in East Jerusalem.

“[Palestinians] cannot lecture us about construction in Judea and Samaria when in [this] village there are dozens of illegal houses,” said Ben-Gvir. “The law regarding illegal houses in [this] village is exactly the same law that applies to the houses being destroyed in our outposts.”

Jerusalem Police have warned the activists not to hold inflammatory banners or make discriminatory comments during the march. Police are also concerned that Muslim protesters will turn to violence in their demonstrations against Israel’s decision to approve the construction of 1,600 new houses in East Jerusalem. via Haaretz

There is no science or logic in this entire catastrophic situation.

via Flickr’s Spartan at ArmageddonThis is a Biblical war waged by extremist men: Christians, Jews, Muslims. I’m tired of calling the issue anything but the truth of what it is — a religious war on all sides. The rose-colored glasses are off.

Quite frankly, these guys won’t even shake my finger. Why should the women of the world go down for groups of men who won’t touch us or look at us, unless we’re unveiled? Can someone tell me why?

Let’s cut the sweet talk.

Let the men of the world go kill each other, and women will carry on, trying to rebuild a world without hate, vengeance and attribution. Men have committed atrocities against each other since the beginning of civilization, and the thirst for blood and revenge runs deep in their veins.

Religion has only exacerbated the hatred and thirst for a grand fireball ending — the coming of God.

Quite simply, this entire situation is insanity, but now I’m convinced that the key players have one goal: Armageddon. I believe the citizens of the world have a right to vote on whether this is what WE want.

Let me guess. Soon I will read a headline that the Devil isn’t only living in the Vatican, he’s now in Jerusalem. You guys really expect a lot out of an intelligent woman, and that starts with the smartest people on the planet — educated Jews — not coordinating the announcement of the new settlements.

Sorry guys. The history of your brain power preceeds you. This was not a screw up. It was a testosterone-rich, blood-thirsty f—- you, and you will never convince me otherwise. Anne