Palestinos protestan por expansión de asentamientos ante la visita de Obama

Bienvenidos a Democracy Now!, democracynow.org, el informativo de guerra y paz. Soy Amy Goodman. President Obama began his visit to Israel on Wednesday with a series of public statements affirming his commitment to Israeli government policies. In a joint appearance, Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed their shared stance on confronting Iran. Netanyahu: "If Iran decides to go for a nuclear weapon — that is, to actually manufacture the weapon — then it probably — then it will take them about a year." President Obama: "We prefer to resolve this diplomatically. And there’s still time to do so. Iran’s leaders must understand, however, that they have to meet their international obligations. And meanwhile, the international community will continue to increase the pressure on the Iranian government. The United States will continue to consult closely with Israel on next steps. And I will repeat: All options are on the table." In saying it would take a year for Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, Netanyahu appeared to be altering his own timeline on Iran to conform to President Obama’s. Citing an "unbreakable bond" with Israel, Obama vowed to extend the billions in annual U.S. aid. He also made no mention of illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land. Earlier today, a pair of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip hit the Israeli town of Sderot, damaging property but causing no injuries. President Obama is now in the West Bank for talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas. Ahead of Obama’s visit, a group of Palestinian activists erected a new tent camp aimed at stopping the expansion of West Bank settlements. The camp falls within the E1 settlement zone, which bisects the West Bank and cuts off Palestinians from their own land. Israeli forces dismantled previous encampments earlier this year. Addressing Obama, Palestinian lawmaker Mustafa Barghouthi said the protests will continue until Palestinians win their freedom. Mustafa Barghouthi: "We are here to repair the village that Israel has destroyed on our land. We are here to send a message to President Obama, our struggle, our non-violent peaceful resistance will continue until we are free. It his duty not to shy away and to see the Palestinian struggle for freedom, it is his duty to see the Israeli apartheid system and their system of segregation that his ancestors suffered from. It is his duty to tell the Israelis enough and double standard is unacceptable, settlements will have to be removed and Palestinian freedom has to be achieved." It’s unclear if Israeli forces will raid the encampment while Obama visits the West Bank or wait until he leaves. One sign at the camp addressed to Obama reads: "You promised hope and change, you gave us colonies and apartheid." Muchas gracias por ver este reporte de Democracy Now! su informativo independiente diario. No aceptamos publicidad o financiación corporativa por lo que dependemos de la donaciones de telespectadores como usted. Por favor, haga su contribución visitando democracynow.org, necesitamos su apoyo hoy para continuar ofreciéndoles estos impactantes reportajes en profundidad.