The Details are Released of Netanyahu's Climbdown.
We finally get to hear just what Netanyahu had to agree to to mend the fences he broke during Joe Biden's visit to Israel.
And one only has to look back at Netanyahu's first meeting with Obama to realise how much he has since conceded and how much ground Obama has gained.
For the first time since Operation Cast Lead, Israel has agreed to ease the blockade on the Gaza Strip.Nothing would please me more than to see young Mr Shalit reunited with his family. Indeed, it would be wonderful if Obama forcing Netanyahu to do the right thing in pursuit of peace should have Gilad's release as it's consequence.
Netanyahu has also agreed to discuss all core issues during the proximity talks, with the condition of reaching final conclusions only in direct talks with the PA. Senior officials in Jerusalem said that the prime minister's gestures enabling the UN to transport construction materials to Gaza to rebuild sewerage systems, a flour mill and 150 apartments in Khan Yunis.
Netanyahu also agreed to release hundreds of Fatah-affiliated prisoners as a gesture to PA President Mahmoud Abbas, a move which the defense establishment believes could prompt the release of captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
For too long his incarceration has appeared to be forgotten. He's certainly dropped way down the list of priorities, especially considering the fact that his capture was one of the reasons cited for the wars in Lebanon and Gaza.
But, despite Netanyahu's climbdown to Obama, the Israelis are already making it clear that they want no American plan to be forthcoming.
Israel's Washington envoy Michael Oren said on Saturday that outsiders cannot force peace on the Middle East, and any final settlement will have to be initiated by the Israelis and Palestinians themselves.How things have changed from the days of George W. Bush, when any American plan would have been written by the Israelis anyway.
In an interview with U.S. television station PBS, Oren said Israel was not interested in having the White House present its own peace plan. Any attempt by the United States to impose a peace deal would be like "forcing somebody to fall in love," Oren said.
Asked if Israel wanted Washington to present its own peace plan, Oren said: "No. I think peace has to be made between two people sitting across a table. America can help facilitate that interaction."
Click here for full article.
Tags:
2 comments:
AIPAC RESOLUTION
March 21, 2010
AIPAC RESOLUTION
“To urge members of the House and Senate to call upon ISRAEL to reaffirm its relationship with the US and to work closely with its primary funder and trading partner and not to further treat the American presidency with contempt.
And to adhere to international law in relation to illegal settlements and Jerusalem.”
posted by GDR
I'm presuming your tongue is firmly in your cheek.
The actual AIPAC Resolution reads:
Urge members of the House and Senate to sign letters to the administration calling on it to reaffirm the U.S.-Israel relationship and to work closely and privately with our ally.
Just watch, they'll all line up to sign it, especially now that Netanyahu has conceded.
Post a Comment