Over 500, I never had time to read them anyway.  But I still get update notifications from my friends, so if I have time I can check out their postings.

Israeli settlement action 'an insult': Obama aide

Here is the link:  link

I think the problem with Israeli plans to build settlements in mostly Arab East Jerusalem is that it will only make it more difficult for their to be peace with its Arab neighbors.  I don't know if Israel has decided that it will never have peace anyway, or if Netanyahu is playing to domestic politics - recall that a ultra conservative assassinated a previous prime minister for seeking peace with the Arabs - but the result is the same, and makes it difficult for the US to negotiate peace with other middle east partners.  In short, it will only make things worse for peace, and since the US is already hated by the extremist Muslims question arises "Can the US support Israel no matter what they do, even if their actions are harmful to any chance of peace in the region?"  Can the US support Israel when the Palestinians feel quite dispossessed and persecuted by the Israel army at every turn?  I realize Israel has a right to protect itself from rockets and suicide attacks that kill Israelis, but many Palestinians are peaceful, just trying to live.  It is a difficult situation.

Should US support for Israel extend to whatever Israel decides to do, even if the US believes their actions are detrimental for our own security and prospects for peace and stability in the Middle East?