In interview with Jeffrey Goldberg for Bloomberg, Obama says he will ask the prime minister on Monday: “If not now, when? And if not you, then who?”
If Netanyahu “does not believe that a peace deal with the Palestinians is the right thing to do for Israel”, Obama said, “then he needs to articulate an alternative approach (and) It’s hard to come up with one that’s plausible.”
The door has openned. Sovereignty is not only plausible, its doable. Ted Belman
The American ability to protect Israel against global isolation is waning, US President Barack Obama said in an interview published Sunday, in particular if the Palestinians decide that there is no chance for them to achieve statehood.
“If Palestinians come to believe that the possibility of a contiguous sovereign Palestinian state is no longer within reach, then our ability to manage the international fallout is going to be limited,” Obama told Jeffrey Goldberg on Thursday in an hour-long Oval Office meeting.
Obama said that he would warn Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in their meeting Monday that time is running out for Israel as a democracy with a Jewish majority, and would make the case that Netanyahu alone “has the strength and political credibility to lead his people away from the precipice.”
Netanyahu left Israel on Sunday for a five-day trip to the US. On Monday, he will meet with Obama at the White House, and on Tuesday he will deliver a keynote speech at the annual policy conference of pro-Israel lobby AIPAC, also in Washington DC.
The president touched on the issue of Israel’s settlement construction, which has long been labeled by the Palestinians as key to the success or failure of peace talks; for years the US has attempted to slow down or even freeze the pace of Israeli construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The Netanyahu government insists that the construction has no real impact on the peace talks, but Obama made clear that he disagreed.
“…We have seen more aggressive settlement construction over the last couple years than we’ve seen in a very long time,” Obama said.
The US is the driving force behind the current negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, with Secretary of State John Kerry taking the lead. Obama took a caustic tone when he referred to the Israeli leadership’s perceived antipathy over the talks.
Obama’s comments to Goldberg were almost an echo of remarks by Kerry in recent weeks, which elicited a furious reaction from some of Netanyahu’s most senior ministers.
If Netanyahu “does not believe that a peace deal with the Palestinians is the right thing to do for Israel”, Obama said, “then he needs to articulate an alternative approach (and) It’s hard to come up with one that’s plausible.”
Obama continuously pointed to issue of time “there comes a point where you can’t manage this anymore, and then you start having to make very difficult choices,” Obama said.
“Do you resign yourself to what amounts to a permanent occupation of the West Bank?” he posited. “Is that the character of Israel as a state for a long period of time? Do you perpetuate, over the course of a decade or two decades, more and more restrictive policies in terms of Palestinian movement? Do you place restrictions on Arab-Israelis in ways that run counter to Israel’s traditions?”
The president even quoted Jewish sage Rabbi Hillel, saying that he intends to tell Netanyahu that: “If not now, when? And if not you, Mr. Prime Minister, then who?”
‘Abbas willing to recognize Israel’
Adopting a more conciliatory angle, Obama backed Israel’s demand that the Palestinians recognize it as the Jewish nation state, something that the Palestinians have consistently baulked at. Even so, he said, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is a ready partner for a peace deal, and Israel should take advantage of this fact.
Obama “believes that President Abbas is sincere about his willingness to recognize Israel and its right to exist, to recognize Israel’s legitimate security needs, to shun violence, to resolve these issues in a diplomatic fashion that meets the concerns of the people of Israel.
“And I think that this is a rare quality not just within the Palestinian territories.”
The president also reiterated his stance that a military option was still on the table when it came to Iran, despite his desire to resolve the issue of the Islamic Republic’s nuclear ambitions, and this was a stance that Tehran did not underestimate.
“…we have a high degree of confidence that when they (Iran) look at 35,000 US military personnel in the region that are engaged in constant training exercises under the direction of a president who already has shown himself willing to take military action in the past, that they should take my statements seriously,” he said. “And the American people should as well, and the Israelis should as well, and the Saudis should as well.”
Saudi Arabia, like Israel, is one of the most vocal opponents of Iran’s nuclear program. And like Israel, the Kingdom views Iran as a genuine threat.
@ the phoenix:
Thank you darlin, I think I shall Tran sphere my considerable internet affections to you, you are certainly more responsive. Did you read the “Times of Israel” on e-mail today. They have the most wonderful ancient masks. They would make wonderful jewelry!
@ honeybee:
It looks like he is busy with the american for a while….
so, if I may:
NETZ
@ yamit82:
I like that quote. Again how do you say Hawk in Hebrew.
@ CuriousAmerican:
Benjamin Shall Raven As A Wolf
“Benjamin shall raven as a wolf; In the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.” (Genesis 49:27)
CuriousAmerican Said:
I am not an apologist for any of the individuals that you mentioned in your comment. When Bush I was in office, there was no intifada. All of us donot have an info that we now have than then. Given what we have come to know I hold the current Administration at a highest standard.
As the only superpower power, any US president could make a difference in the world. It is just a question of ones ideology and commitment.
@ CuriousAmerican:
Reagan was the Palis best and most favorable supporter and the most anti Israel and antisemite of the Bunch and they were all antisemites. If he hadn’t saved Yasser’s stinking ass we would be in a different place today. Begin on our side was the most harmful.
honeybee Said:
Dear honeybee – you know who you you are. You are an intelligent, strong bee. Better to be your friend as the honeybees could act in unison to make your enemies run for their lives!
bernard ross Said:
Thanks for the clarification. I thought you were supporting everything you had posted. There should not be any illusions regarding this truth: Israel’s real asset is IDF,
patriotic Jews, supporters in USA and other parts of the world.
In the face of rising anti-antisemitism in the world, does Israel have an effective PR Department that takes care of mounting criticisms/propaganda against it in the western world and else where? It can play a decisive role to turn around a wrong image that Europeans and others have based on repeated lies (accepted as “truth”).
rongrand Said:
Don’t blame if you say dumb things and I find them.
Ted Belman Said:
You raised an important question. BHO is a leftist ideologue. Knowing his background is helpful to know what he may or may not do. The USSR stood with Palestinian Arabs. So many countries and individuals were brainwashed to believe a lie that once a Palestinian Arabs issues are resolved, there won’t be a problem in the Middle East (especially among Israeli’s and Palestinian Arabs). What so many may not understand is: 1) Arab countries benefit from having the conflict continue to divert the attention of its dissatisfied public away from themselves by blaming Israel; 2)They consider as their religious duty to get rid of Israel if they “could”; 3)The Palestinian Arab leaders failed to make an agreement when they were given
best offers by Israel because they were/are afraid of Arab countries. Those who want to limit the issue of Palestinian Arabs to Pal Arabs are simplistic and donot seem to understand the Arabs.
Since BHO is among those who were brainwashed, I donot thing that he understands the Middle East in general and the Arab Israeli conflict in particular. He may or may not side with Israel when a vote come up at UNSC depending on which way a political wind blows. Israel should get prepared on its own by having a contingency plan for any eventuality.
@ Mickey Oberman:
Mickey, oh Mickey for years here I have stated the need for a strong PR program to explain to the world what the liberal left anti-Semite media refuses to do but, like all else I say here falls on deaf ears.
We no longer have Ayn, we have a silly bee.
Mickey, first of all Netanyahu should stay away from barry ovomit and kerry, both have no love for Israel.
Should tell them he’s out to lunch.
Screw the Palestinians, they don’t want peace, if they did they would rid themselves of Abbas and Hamas (proxy of Iran leaders), both of whom want to wipe Israel off the map.
Netanyahu stop visiting ovomit he rather insult you than face Putin.
AbbaGuutuu Said:
dont misunderstand me, i am not being optimistic but reprinting how I think they see it. the muslims are cult robots who do what they are commanded by fatwa. yesterday they kill the Jews today the shias. They have issued their fatwas to concentrate on the Iranian proxies by employing the shia card, they massed in syria but not against Israel: that tells you something. Are they dependable, of course not. if things dont go their way they will rapproche with iran and kill the jews again. all they have to do is start quoting other passages of Koran where the jews are given Israel by G_d, etc etc., some quote them now. If they come to a deal with Israel they can turn on a dime. However, they are run by rich dictators who gambol, whore and get drunk in London. they know how to play the game of ruling through Islam. Islam is the vehicle by which their rulers rule and it is an excellent and highly successful vehicle where they get their robots to kill themselves at their will. that is why Prince Charles does the sword dance with them as he is envious of their success in finding a system of absolute rule that works in the 21st century. He imagines himself as caliph of britain. their is an affinity of the elite in respecting those who are successful absolute rulers controlling their masses. These rulers still get to whore and gambol like anyone else but they have nations of robotic slaves under their rule. What’s not to envy?
@ Mickey Oberman:
Mickey Oberman Said:
Try dance lessons
bernard ross Said:
Every time Israel was about to get a victory, I have observed USA and other countries stopped Israel from achieving its goals. Most of past wars with the Arabs (Hezbollah and Hamas included) confirm the truthfulness of my statement. How much is your assertions reliable? The GCC was formed as a unity of Arab Gulf States Council (Sunni Arab block) against the Shiites (Iran). The GCC’s potential agreement with Israel would be temporary just to weaken Iran. Once this goal is achieved,it is hard to anticipate they would agree with Israel on various issues. Although, I like your optimism, do you think the Arabs would easily accept the Jews by going against their “holy books” and start teaching their children to live in peace with Jews? I wish they do. However, I donot think the stuff you suggested in your statement could be realized. It remains to be seen.
@ the phoenix: the author says they are marketing a deal coming closer but I think it was worked out before ever arriving at talks. I read all these same proposals a year ago from a pal news source. its been obvious for years that the GCC wants to end it and doesn’t give a damn about the pals. they intend to unfold it over 10 years but I think they want Israel to do more in syria. In fact, recently I am suspicious that the 2006 lebanon war was meant to be the start of the recent syrian events but Israel did not play ball then. At the time the US was upset that Israel did not go in and get rid of hezbullah. I think they want the same now but Israel is cagey and slow to jump in.
@ bernard ross:
Neville chambibirland?
Peace in our time….
I guess I am always out of step. I admit I am no diplomat.
I think if Abbas once again walks away from the peace talks and If Israel makes his move abundantly clear by publicizing Abbas’ action, they could very well benefit in the long run.
When Abbas takes his inevitable stroll Netanyahu should very publicly throw up his hands in disgust and declare the impossibility of coming to any kind of agreement with Abbas’ set in stone mind.
Netanyahu should excoriate Abbas and announce that it is impossible to negotiate a two state solution with him and that Israel will go it alone from now on and Israel will work towards a one state solution on its own terms.
The world will hate us and bash us at every opportunity. There will be blustering and threats and name calling so nothing will have changed.
But Israel needs a public relations department that is up to the job.
@ Bert:
And how did that happen? After the holocaust is it any wonder that many Jews rather spit than acknowledge G-d?
Many times!
Maybe not often enough.
It was one of 9 nations to vote against Palestinian observer status.
@ Bert:
Bert, you have a good handle on this problem.
Security is the complete control of all of Israel by the Jews.
Never buy into this crazy 2 state solution.
Continue to build communities the land is yours Israel.
Jewish leaders are guided almost completely by fear. This is because they are almost all secular with no faith in G-d. The Torah is all about faith vs the idol worshipers. Without faith there is no Judaism and no protection from our enemies. After more than 3,000 years since Sinai our Jewish leaders have learned nothing and shake in fear while they make suicidal concessions in the vain hope of finding security.
Please, someone explain what is the attraction for the Palestinian support by this administration and the rest of the world.
Could it be this support is really an instrument of anti-Semitism.
Support for a people driven by gangster Hamas, a proxy of Iran leadership.
Support for a people who send children strapped with bombs to kill Jews.
Support for a people sending rockets into Israel to kill Jewish children.
Think world, please outside the anti-Semite box.
CuriousAmerican Said:
All we ask is that the US exercise its veto in our favour at the UNSC. That it can do. But will it?
In a way, Obama is the last of a line of American presidents with a failed policy list.
George Bush I – Madrid
Clinton – Peace Deal
George Bush II – Gaza pullout
and now Obama?
You have more to be mad at with the Bushes than Obama. More to be mad at with Clinton.
Since you do not want to give up any of the land at all, Bush I should be your chief target of criticism.
Even if Sarah Palin were president, she could not protect you from the blowback. She could stand by you; but that would not protect you from Euro-BDS etc.
9 Nations voted against giving Palestine observer status
Israel,
the United States
Canada
the Czech Republic,
Panama
Marshall Islands,
Micronesia,
Nauru and Palau.
Even when the US stands up for Israel, the world ignores the USA.
If you want your patrimony, you have to ignore the blowback.
The world will never accept you, and you cannot blame Obama for that.
Obama did not alter the world’s mind in the UN vote.
I am not in favor of division of the land; but Obama is right on thing – when Israel sinks the two state solution – as it should – there will be blowback. America will not be able to curtail that blowback
AbbaGuutuu Said:
It is possible like anything but I believe they have a specific approach. The same proposals we are reading now I read from Pal sources over a year ago. Re settlements that they will keep the major blocks and maintain security in the Jordan valley for 5-10 years. That during this time those in outlying and Jordan Valley settlements will have the choice to return or to stay and take Pal citizenship when the IDF withdraws. these days I understand that they can have dual citizenship. this is how BB is able to say he will not evict the settlers because they will have a “choice”. I expect that they will get good incentives to leave, possibly even new homes to move into. For those that stay I would expect that the PA would guard those settlements carefully so as not to provoke a situation, like a massacre, where Israel comes back and drives them all out. Plus he would want to make a show of the Jews living in Palestine. Right now he is removing religion from their ID’s.
Overall I do not believe that the current talks are real but are more of a staged drama whereby they have agreed certain outcomes. By outcomes it can be that they walk away, declare a state and Israel stays where it is and annexes certain areas and continue to negotiate from new positions. It can be that they have a 10 year agreement that is in phases and it fails leaving it at a stage where both can live with but would be suicidal to agree overtly upon.
I think that all parties wish to kick the can down the road and maintain a slowly progressing status quo. Neither Abbas nor Israel can deal with millions of refugees flowing into a new pal state and therefore I expect a situation that does not allow until everyone can figure out how to deal with it. I dont think abbas or Israel want a final agreement now as it would bring many difficult complications that neither wishes. I think that many pals and Israelis do big business together and I expect this to grow and determine the situation.
I distinguish what I desire from what I think is likely to happen. EG I am for annexation and transfer but I do not expect that to happen. Therefore, once one assumes that the arabs remain then there are not many final possibilities other than haggling over land and sovereignty issues. I expect Israel to give some land to the pals near to their large population centers like Jericho to develop for growth in the short to medium term. I think they will like to see the pals closely settled if final borders come into play later. I have a suspicion that both the arab league/GCC and Abbas would be willing to settle for less for the Pals but cannot do it overtly in the short term. Also, I believe that this will play out in relation to the GCC/US adventure in syria and with Iran. I am of the view that much has been determined in relation to that over the last few years including the covert rapprochement between Israel and the GCC. I think the GCC and the US adventure in Syria is related to blocking the Iran pipeline to the Med and having one of their own through a new Sunniland. Qatar/GCC brokered the deal at the last gaza cease fire and I believe Israels targeting of certain gaza elements may have been in collusion with GCC and targeted Iranian links in gaza. Mursi began the leashing of hamas and Sisi increased that leashing at the behest of the GCC. I believe it is all connected. I am even beginning to suspect that the 2006 Lebanon war may have been related to the same agenda. I had a feeling then that the US had wanted Israel to do more in Lebanon and the same recently in Syria. Both times Israel did not do more and this may be the real problem for the US and the GCC.
Obama has pretty much confirmed some of these suspicions at various times alluding to a GCC Israel security relationship as recent as his latest interview with Goldberg.
bernard ross Said:
Is it possible to have a final agreement in which a Jew would be secured under Palestinian rule? All the evidences I have seen thus far is in the opposite direction. Without a change of heart, absent a miracle or/a decisive military and diplomatic victory,the hatred and bitterness built up over many generations may not go away.
nfarbstein Said:
I think we all know the answer!
1
“Obama took a caustic tone when he referred to the Israeli leadership’s perceived antipathy over the talks.”
Antipathy? How is the release of 104 murderers, baby killers, etc. to entice the terrorist Abbas to negotiate equivalent to antipathy? Can anyone explain?