Jordanian King Warns of War if Israel Resumes Building Settlements

Photo Courtesy - ABC News(NEW YORK) -- As the end of this United Nations week approaches, the world seems closer to a war in the Middle East, not farther away.

As previously reported, Israel’s 10-month moratorium on housing settlements in disputed territories is set to expire next week. If Israel resumes development, it seems likely that the Palestinians will leave the direct talks.

"If we fail on the 30th [of September], expect another war by the end of the year,” Jordan’s King Abdullah warned on Comedy Central's The Daily Show Thursday night. “And more wars that I foresee in the region over the coming years.”  That’s because, Abdullah said, “if the issue of settlements are still at the table on [the] 30th, then everybody walks away. And if they do, how are we going to get people back to the table? I don't see that happening in the near future.”

This, combined with President Obama’s plea at the U.N. for Arab countries to step up to the plate and help the process move forward, and his new language that the talks should continue regardless of what happens to the housing freeze, all seems to spell bad news for peace in the region.

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