It seems quite clear that there has been a sizeable shift in the relationship between the new U.S administration headed by Obama and Israels own
incumbents headed by Netenyahu.
The Obama administration has been quite clear that is wants a freeze on settlement expansion and a strong pursuit of a two-state solution including
the division of Jerusalem.
www.haaretz.com...
It would also appear, at least on the extreme right that many Israeli citizens are turning against America and Obama in particular. Which is further
exacerbated by reports that Netanyahu has referred to Emanuel and David Axelrod as 'self-hating' Jews and auto 'anti-semites'.
maxblumenthal.com...
Now people can argue that these changes are only in speech and tone alone, citing that nothing has actually changed on the ground for Palastinians,
but it first has to change at the decision making levels before it can filter down to the people. I really feel Israel is going to have to manke a
decision to either wholly throw themselves into a proper peace dialogue which includes Hamas or face a threat to their 10's of billions of dollars
worth of loans and weapon supplies.
Some may feel that this is not possible, with the power of AIPAC to persuade Senators who they support that having the words 'anti-semite' on their
CV is not helpful to elction bids. But the administration in sending George Mitchell seem to be sending a clear sign to the Israeils that they are
serious.
Now it would be easy to paint this as abandoning Israel
www.thefreepressonline.co.uk... (an unelievable website), i personally do
not see that ever happening. This problem needs to be solved for there to be any progress on the other problems in the region, such as engagement of
Iran, bringing Syria out of the cold, taking away a rallying call for fundementalists. This would also help to secure Israels acceptance in the
region.
Of course there are two sides, actually mabye 3, or more! to this story. People will point to the Palastinians as killers and people who cannot be
negotiated with in particular with the government of the Gaza Strip, Hamas. People will point to the fact that Hamas will not accept the existence of
Israel, even though they have offered to do this many times since
www.guardian.co.uk...
www.antiwar.com... coming into power only to recieve a barrage of F-16 missiles, and assasination attempts.
Now clearly missiles launched against cities within Israel from the Gaza Strip are not helpful in prmoting an environment where peaceful negotiation
can be launched. But it was in fact Israel who broke the ceasefire signed in June 08, in November 2008 with a raid into Gaza which killed 6 members,
which led to the launch of rockets which Israel at the beggining claimed forced them to invade. Even CNN comfirms this
www.youtube.com...
Hamas had kept their side of the bargain and had managed to stop the vast majority of rocket attacks in exchange for border crossings, which never
happened.
bbsnews.net...
This is just one example of how Israel does not appear to be serious in finding a solution to the conflict, for others search Oslo Accords, a peace
settlement attempt during Clintons regin which tried to force peace on Arafat based on completly unacceptable terms for the Palastinains.Now i put it
to you all, that unless Israel begins to take steps towards comprehensive peace with the Palastinians without pre-conditions on either side, the U.S
should start to roll back its loan commitments and weapons deals.
Does anyone have any objection to this, if so why and what other way can you see?
[edit on 29-7-2009 by Peruvianmonk]