Netanyahu stands firm against demands from Barack Obama

[Moledet]

Israel stood firm against demands from Barack Obama on Monday to cease the construction of Jewish settlements and embrace the "two-state solution" to achieving peace in the Middle East.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, in his first meeting with the US president, made it clear that while he welcomed Mr Obama's commitment to the region, he was more concerned about dealing with the threat of Iran than peace talks.

Mr Obama was unable to secure any commitments on ceasing the construction of Jewish settlements in the West Bank or embracing the "two-state solution" to achieving peace in the Middle East.

Sitting side by side in the White House, the two leaders hailed the friendship between their two countries but remained far apart on how to proceed towards a resolution of the 60-year conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

Mr Obama said the Palestinians had to take steps to guarantee Israel's security – but took a tough line on the construction of settlements on Arab land.

"Israel is going to have to take difficult steps as well," he said. "There is a clear understanding we have to make progress on settlements. Settlements have to stop."

He called on Mr Netanyahu, who leads a hawkish, Right-wing coalition, to seize a "historic opportunity" to work earnestly for peace.

"It is in the interests of Israel, the US and the international community to achieve a two-state solution. We have seen progress stalled on this front. I suggested to the prime minister he has a historic opportunity to get serious movement on this issue during his tenure," he said.

There was a conspicuous lack of praise for his 59-year-old Israeli visitor, whom he said had the "benefit of having served" previously as prime minister and for having "both youth and wisdom".

The meeting overran to two hours, suggesting that the two sides had struggled to find a way of presenting a unified face to the watching world.

Though Mr Netanyahu made clear he wanted to hold peace talks with the Palestinians, he refused to utter the words "two-state solution", the consensus approach towards peace agreed by previous Israeli governments and US administrations.

Mr Obama is expected to announce his own revamped version of the "road map" next month, after he has met Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, and Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian president.

"The terminology will take care of itself," said Mr Netanyahu. "The important thing is to resume negotiations with the Palestinians as soon as possible. The issue is less one of terminology than of substance."

He said that if a peace deal delivered a "terror base next door" to Israel than it would be worthless, and insisted that Hamas, the militant group that controlled Gaza, had to recognise Israel before he was ready to make concessions.

The prime minister dwelt at length on the threat posed to Israel by Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons.

His goal is to persuade the Americans that Tehran must be reined in before peacemaking with the Palestinians can progress.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/5346415/Netanyahu-stands-firm-against-demands-from-Barack-Obama.html

Not very surprising to me but kinda funny after previous headlines, "Obama to warn Israel's PM..." and "Netanyahu to feel the heat during Washington visit".

[LRPV]

Obama and Netanyahu hold first meeting


19th May 2009, 6:45 WST
US President Barack Obama on Monday held crucial talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu which highlighted divisions on confronting Iran and the notion of a Palestinian state.

The two leaders met at the White House for an intense first summit which stretched an hour over its allotted time of two hours, coming amid signs of tension between two allies with new leaders at the helm.
Obama said that Iran must show it is committed to progress in nuclear talks by the end of the year, while Netanyahu graphically described his fears that a nuclear-armed Iran could pose an existential threat to his nation.
The US president meanwhile praised Netanyahu's "historic" vision, renewed his call for a Palestinian state which the Israeli leader has yet to endorse, and said Israeli West Bank settlements must be "stopped."
Netanyahu, sitting feet from Obama in the Oval Office, stopped short of talking of a future Palestinian state, in friendly but frank exchanges in front of the cameras.
Obama said that US diplomacy with Iran would likely not get far until after the Iranian elections in June.
But he added: "We are not going to have talks forever," addressing Israel's fear that Iran will prolong diplomacy for months just to give it more time to build nuclear weapons.
"My expectation would be that if we begin discussions soon, shortly after the Iranian elections, we should have a fairly good sense by the end of the year as to whether they are moving in the right direction," Obama said.
Netanyahu warned that the "worst danger" Israel faces was Iran with nuclear weapons.
"Iran openly calls for our destruction, which is unacceptable," he said.
Obama also pressed Netanyahu on his vow to work towards a Palestinian state.
"I believe it is in the interest not only of the Palestinians but also the Israelis and the United States and the international community to achieve a two-state solution," Obama said.
Netanyahu did not mention the word "state" and said the two sides should not get hung up on "terminology" warning of dire consequences if the West Bank fell, like Gaza, under control of the Hamas Islamic organisation.
But he hailed Obama as a "great leader" and pledged he was ready to open talks with the Palestinians "immediately."
"I want to make it clear that we don't want to govern the Palestinians - we want to live in peace with them," Netanyahu said.
"We want them to govern themselves absent a handful of powers that could endanger the state of Israel."
"The goal has to be an end to conflict. There'll have to be compromises by Israelis and Palestinians alike. We're ready to do our share. We hope the Palestinians will do their share as well."
The White House meeting marked Obama's most testing diplomatic challenge yet after he made clear that he would push for a peace deal based on a Palestinian state and seek to defuse Iran's nuclear drive with diplomacy.
Netanyahu, at the head of a hawkish Israeli governing coalition, is working on his own regional policy, focused on countering Iran.
Netanyahu was also set to have a working dinner with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton later on Friday, and to hold talks with national security adviser James Jones.
His visit was the latest in a string of visits of Middle Eastern leaders to the White House in the run-up to Obama's long-awaited address to the Muslim world in Cairo on June 4.
Obama has already hosted Jordan's King Abdullah II and will meet Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak and Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas in the next few weeks.
AFP

This version emphasises Bibis tactics...and Obamas weight.

[ting]

It's interesting that their meeting used twice the allotted time. Otherwise I think it is to early to conclude anything. My guess is that we will see leakes to the Israeli press when Bibi returns. From the sum of leakes I think we might be able to get an idea of what they talked about in July-August.

[spider1]

I hope the prime minister will be firm and stand on our interests, maximum they will cut some aid, but i believe we can survive with out it, maybe in the past we couldnt. The thing that worries me is that president Barack Hussein Obama wants to talk to Iran with out a deadline.

[LRPV]

It's interesting that their meeting used twice the allotted time.

The meeting went for 1 hour over the scheduled 2 hour period. Not 4 hours past schedule.

Have I had too much rum or is your maths worse than mine?p-)

[ting]

The meeting went for 1 hour over the scheduled 2 hour period. Not 4 hours past schedule.

Have I had too much rum or is your maths worse than mine?p-)

No it's my math and reading comprehension that is off here:lol:

[keeperofpeace]

If Obama really wants to make progress in his two state solution he has to order Israel to stop building settlements on the west bank and then for jews to get out of the west bank and give it to the Palestinians along with parts of Jeruselum. His leverage would be to cut aid to Israel if they didn't do what he wants. Otherwise in the eyes of the muslims Obama will look like just another politician talking out of two sides of his mouth. Problem is if Obama would use that leverage he would piss off a lot of jews, christians, big money people, politicians, and people generally. So chances that he will go that far are very slim. All cards are on the table. He can't satisfy both sides without really pissing one side off.

Obama is now know to be kind of a middle of the road guy who talks a good talk in trying not alienate either side on most issues. It will be interesting to see what happens.

[Jobu]

Bibi's not stupid. He won't be suckered into any "peace" deal that legitimizes a Hamas terrorist state on Israel's border, free to acquire all the arms they want from Iran.

[Moledet]

If Obama really wants to make progress in his two state solution he has to order Israel to stop building settlements on the west bank and then for jews to get out of the west bank and give it to the Palestinians along with parts of Jeruselum.
Do you have an idea on how to remove half a million people from their homes? Where to reside them until new homes are built? How to get them jobs? How to pay them for their lost property that will mount for the entire GDP of Israel?

In addition, why should a Palestinian state be formed by ethnically cleansing Jewish residents? I mean, if we can live with Palestinian Arabs inside Israel's border (trust me, they aren't loyal and aren't very nice as people at all) why can't the Palestinians live with Jews in their new state?

[keeperofpeace]

Do you have an idea on how to remove half a million people from their homes? Where to reside them until new homes are built? How to get them jobs? How to pay them for their lost property that will mount for the entire GDP of Israel?

In addition, why should a Palestinian state be formed by ethnically cleansing Jewish residents? I mean, if we can live with Palestinian Arabs inside Israel's border (trust me, they aren't loyal and aren't very nice as people at all) why can't the Palestinians live with Jews in their new state?

Don't know any answers to your first questions. Also, don't have any answers to your second series of questions. Its one hell of a tough problem.

[keeperofpeace]

Do you have an idea on how to remove half a million people from their homes? Where to reside them until new homes are built? How to get them jobs? How to pay them for their lost property that will mount for the entire GDP of Israel?

In addition, why should a Palestinian state be formed by ethnically cleansing Jewish residents? I mean, if we can live with Palestinian Arabs inside Israel's border (trust me, they aren't loyal and aren't very nice as people at all) why can't the Palestinians live with Jews in their new state?

I'm not saying that a Palestinian state should be formed by ethnically cleansing jewish residents.

[Moledet]

I'm not saying that a Palestinian state should be formed by ethnically cleansing jewish residents.
You said, "jews to get out of the west bank and give it to the Palestinians along with parts of Jeruselum". People aren't going to leave their homes just like that, you would need to forcibly remove most of them and that's my friend ethnic cleansing.


ethnic cleansing
 
–noun
the elimination of an unwanted ethnic group or groups from a society, as by genocide or forced emigration.

I can also tell you why it's a demand, because the world believes that the moment the IDF leaves the Palestinians will murder all the Jewish residents which makes one wonder if people that are so eager to commit genocide should be given a state.

[Moledet]

US senators to Obama: Consider risks to Israel

As Netanyahu's visit draws to a close, Republican, Democratic senators send President Obama letter calling on his administration to push peace process forward while 'continuing to insist on absolute Palestinian commitment to ending terrorist violence'

WASHINGTON – A group of 76 US senators sent a letter to President Barack Obama Tuesday in which they expressed their "desire to see peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors" while stressing the need to take into account the "risks the (Jewish state) will face in any peace agreement."

The letter, signed by senators from both the Republican and Democratic parties, does not mention the disagreements between Obama and visiting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the peace process, but does state that "without a doubt, our two governments will agree on some issues and disagree on others, but the United States friendship with Israel requires that we work closely together as we recommit ourselves to our historic role of a trusted friend and active mediator."

The letter was sent shortly before Netanyahu was scheduled to conclude his visit to Washington. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) supported the senators' letter, which also called on Obama's administration to "continue to insist on the absolute Palestinian commitment to ending terrorist violence and to building the institutions necessary for a viable Palestinian state living side-by-side, in peace with the Jewish state of Israel.

"The more capable and responsible Palestinian forces became, the more they demonstrate the ability to govern and to maintain security, the easier it will be for them to reach an accord with Israel. We encourage you to continue programs similar to the promising security assistance and training program led by Lieutenant General Keith Dayton, and hope that you will look for other ways to improve Palestinian security and civilian infrastructure," the letter read.

The senators concluded by expressing their hope that Obama "will promote far greater involvement and participation by the Arab states both in moving toward normal ties with Israel and in encouraging moderate Palestinian elements. Everyone in the region has a stake in the success of these negotiations and should contribute to a lasting and comprehensive resolution."

A similar letter is being circled in Congress, and so far 200 representatives have signed it.

Earlier Tuesday, Netanyahu met with members of the US House Foreign Relations Committee. The prime minister said he told the senators who participated in the meeting that the threat from Tehran remains a strong part of any equation for negotiations.

Democratic Senator John Kerry, who serves as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said he was "encouraged by a number of things (Netanyahu) said."

Kerry said he had stressed to Netanyahu "the importance of Israel moving forward, especially in respect to the settlements issue." The senator also acknowledged to the prime minister that the issue was not "a one-way street" and that Arab steps toward joining the "regional road map" to peace were also critical.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3718545,00.html

http://www.ynet.co.il/PicServer2/02022009/1982464/Bibi-Gates-2_wh.jpg

http://www.ynet.co.il/PicServer2/02022009/1982442/3_wa.jpg
Nethanyahu and Foreign Relations Committee members.

[LRPV]

This is just the beginning of the roller-coaster ride. The two-State solution is on life-support from the Americans. Obama will reduce access to the aid program for Israel. Israel will re-assess it's exposure to American politics. The Arab bloc will become frustrated and start another intifada. The regional war wild-card is Iran, which only Israel sees as an existential threat.

[redvand]

This doesn't help the process:
Palestinians fired Kassam rockets into a Sderot residential area on 5/19/9.

[tecumseh11]

This doesn't help the process:
Palestinians fired Kassam rockets into a Sderot residential area on 5/19/9.

Wow that reminds me of 1984. No peace with Eastasia while they keep on firing flying bombs at us!

[spider1]

Also the head of the shin bet said that as long as hamas controls the strip there will not be a real "peace procces" and ofcourse you dont need to be the head of the shin bet to know that.

[gangplank6]

If Obama really wants to make progress in his two state solution he has to order Israel to stop building settlements on the west bank and then for jews to get out of the west bank and give it to the Palestinians along with parts of Jeruselum. His leverage would be to cut aid to Israel if they didn't do what he wants.

Obama has to ORDER Israel to stop? Obama is not going to ORDER Israel to do anything with Bibi at the helm. He can ASK Israel by saying pretty please with sugar on top if he wants, but even that might not work.:)

If FMS aid dollars are cut that will just be another economic blow to to US companies like Boeing and the others. Not a very smart idea.

[keeperofpeace]

You said, "jews to get out of the west bank and give it to the Palestinians along with parts of Jeruselum". People aren't going to leave their homes just like that, you would need to forcibly remove most of them and that's my friend ethnic cleansing.

yes I said that but am expressing what is a Palestinian point of view, not my own.