re: Why do Americans support Israel so much?

Israel doesn't want peace.

"The resolution, which was approved by a vote of 14 to 0, declares that Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem have "no legal validity" and constitute a "flagrant violation under international law".

It also calls the settlements a major obstacle to achieving a two-state solution and peace with the Palestinians. The US abstained instead of using its veto, breaking with a long-standing policy of blocking resolutions dealing with Israel.

Right-wing voices in Netanyahu's coalition have called on him to ramp up Israeli construction in the settlements, and some have even said it is time for Israel to annex parts of the West Bank.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Jerusalem Municipality said: "The Jerusalem Municipality has not changed its stance that building in Jerusalem is necessary for the development of the city and will continue to develop the capital according to zoning and building codes without prejudice, for the benefit of all residents."

Israeli human rights organisation B'Tselem estimates that, combined, about 600,000 Israelis live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The figures are based on official data provided by Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics and the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies. Palestinians say the figure is higher.

Sophie Lagoutte, a spokeswoman for the French Embassy in Tel Aviv, said the Paris initiative was not aimed at creating a new UN resolution but was intended to "reaffirm the importance of a two-state solution, with Palestinians and Israelis living side by side in security".

The French hope the decisions made at the meeting will help reignite the peace process, Lagoutte said.

Palestinian officials praised the UN resolution and the French initiative.

The Israelis have repeatedly stated that they will not go to Paris, and Netanyahu said on Friday that Israel would not abide by the resolution.

"Such steps are counterproductive to the situation," Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely told The Washington Post. "People are in love with an easy formula and ignore the complexity on the ground."

Israel does not intend to be part of the Paris conference, she said, or of "any international idea to force a final resolution on Israel" without it first sitting down and negotiating a peace deal with the Palestinians."

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Israel acts the way it does because we underwrite their crap and that needs to stop.