News Exercise #176

1. Why did police clear the settlement site?
2. The Israeli Parliament disagrees with their own Supreme Court (sounds like what’s happening in the US) and has responded in what way?
3. Complete this statement made by the reporter starting at 1:14.
“Many experts _________________ in Israel’s Supreme Court but __________________. Although there has been ________________ on land the Palestinians want for a state, Donald Trump _________________________________.”
4. What is the UK government’s view on these Jewish settlements, and why do they have that view?
5. What have the EU and the US done in response to this decision?
6. At the end of the answer to question 4 there was an idiom used to describe the US future actions. What was the idiom and what does it mean?

Answers:
1. Why did police clear the settlement site?
Because the Israeli Supreme Court had ruled that Jewish families had built their homes on private Palestinian land.
2. The Israeli Parliament disagrees with their own Supreme Court (sounds like what’s happening in the US) and has responded in what way?
They have narrowly passed a law to protect other outposts that had been built without government permits.
3. Complete this statement made by the reporter starting at 1:14.
“Many experts predict this law won’t stand up to challenges in Israel’s Supreme Court but it’s been seen as a sign of how the government feels emboldened. Although there has been international condemnation of plans to expand settlements on land the Palestinians want for a state, Donald Trump is taking a much softer stance than former US presidents.”
4. What is the UK government’s view on these Jewish settlements, and why do they have that view?
Prime Minister May expressed concerns about the announcement of 6000 new settlers homes, because all settlements are seen as illegal under international law.
5. What have the EU and the US done in response to this decision?
The EU has put a summit with Israel on hold, and the US is awaiting a Supreme Court ruling before weighing in.
6. At the end of the answer to question 4 there was an idiom used to describe the US future actions. What was the idiom and what does it mean?
“Weighing in” is a term taken from boxing. A boxer weighs in, meaning that his weight is measured, before the fight can begin. So in this case it means that the US will assess the situation fully before participating in any action.