VOA标准英语2009年-Israel Says Settlement Freeze Proves i

 

Palestinian officials say the Israeli move is insufficient¹ because it does not include disputed East Jerusalem or 3,000 homes already under construction in the West Bank

Robert Berger | Jerusalem 06 December 2009

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, gestures as he speaks about settlements during a press conference in his Jerusalem office last week

Israel is blaming the Palestinians for the failure to revive U.S.-sponsored peace talks.  An Israeli concession² on West Bank settlements is not enough for the Palestinians and too much for Jewish settlers. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his decision to freeze construction in West Bank settlements for 10 months is proof that Israel wants peace.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet meeting, Mr. Netanyahu said the Palestinians' rejection³ of his offer shows they are an obstacle to the peace process.

The Palestinians say the Israeli move is insufficient because it does not include disputed East Jerusalem or 3,000 homes already under construction in the West Bank.  The Palestinians claim the West Bank and East Jerusalem as territory for a future state, and they have conditioned a resumption of peace talks on a halt to all Israeli construction in those areas.

Mr. Netanyahu imposed the construction freeze under pressure from the United States, which sees the settlements as an obstacle to peace.  But the move has angered Jewish settlers and their supporters who helped bring Mr. Netanyahu to power.  He sought to reassure⁴ the settlers and his right-wing coalition⁵ partners, saying the measure is temporary.

The Prime Minister said the settlement freeze is limited and building in the West Bank will resume after 10 months, even if peace talks resume.

But that did not appease⁶ the settlers who accuse Mr. Netanyahu of betrayal.  Residents of the West Bank settlement of Kedumim threw eggs at inspectors⁷ and clashed with police who came to enforce the construction freeze.

Kedumim council leader Hananel Durani told Israel Radio the settlers will not cooperate with the authorities.

He said the Israeli government is strangling the settlements and residents have a legitimate⁸ right to resist.

 

1 insufficient   

adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的

参考例句：

• There was insufficient evidence to convict him.没有足够证据给他定罪。
• In their day scientific knowledge was insufficient to settle the matter.在他们的时代，科学知识还不能足以解决这些问题。

2 concession   

n.让步，妥协；特许(权)

参考例句：

• We can not make heavy concession to the matter.我们在这个问题上不能过于让步。
• That is a great concession.这是很大的让步。

3 rejection   

n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃

参考例句：

• He decided not to approach her for fear of rejection.他因怕遭拒绝决定不再去找她。
• The rejection plunged her into the dark depths of despair.遭到拒绝使她陷入了绝望的深渊。

4 reassure   

v.使放心，使消除疑虑

参考例句：

• This seemed to reassure him and he continued more confidently.这似乎使他放心一点，于是他更有信心地继续说了下去。
• The airline tried to reassure the customers that the planes were safe.航空公司尽力让乘客相信飞机是安全的。

5 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

6 appease   

v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足

参考例句：

• He tried to appease the crying child by giving him candy.他试图给那个啼哭的孩子糖果使他不哭。
• The government tried to appease discontented workers.政府试图安抚不满的工人们。

7 inspectors   

n.检查员( inspector的名词复数 )；（英国公共汽车或火车上的）查票员；（警察）巡官；检阅官

参考例句：

• They got into the school in the guise of inspectors. 他们假装成视察员进了学校。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Inspectors checked that there was adequate ventilation. 检查员已检查过，通风良好。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 legitimate   

adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法

参考例句：

• Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
• That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。