Comments on: Somewhere, Khaled Meshal Is Laughing

By: macaquerman

macaquerman — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:27:46 +0000

You’re correct. A settlement freeze is good in itself and needn’t be linked to negotiations.

By: joemarkowitz

joemarkowitz — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:31:24 +0000

Maybe I missed something, but I don’t recall the Obama administration saying that they were insisting on a settlement freeze as a pre-condition to negotiations. I know that is the Palestinian position, but I don’t recall that the US endorsed it. I also understand that the US has consistently favored a settlement freeze, but that still does not imply that we are insisting on that as a pre-condition to negotiations. There is a difference.

By: michtom

michtom — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:46:22 +0000

Clinton/Obama position here is the same as the Obama position on health care: give away the farm, then start negotiating.

By: CasualObserver

CasualObserver — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:15:20 +0000

Very disappointing.

By: Leen

Leen — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:07:09 +0000

that sounds rather violent

By: FredJ

FredJ — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:44:31 +0000

There is some confusion on what the “Freeze” would mean, and what it would mean to “Expand” the settlements. Is anything that’s not a freeze considered an expansion? I really don’t get what they are talking about here. Can somebody explain?

I also don’t see what difference it could make if construction or modification goes on in the middle of cities like Ariel or Maale Adumin (both of which are in the West Bank). Why would that effect negotiations? I can see an issue if they borders of one of these towns is being pushed outward, but that’s different.

No, I don’t think Netanyahu would negotiate with Hamas. Why would anybody care? The two sides in such talks would never agree.

Are there any confidence-building measures coming from Hamas? From the PA? From anybody? And whose confidence in what event is supposed to be built?

By: stacyb

stacyb — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:30:46 +0000

I’m a big Hillary fan- I have a whole blog dedicated to her foreign policy as Secy of State and when I saw her news conference with Bibi, I almost fell out of my chair. I couldn’t believe how effusive she was and how it seemed like the Obama admin. was hanging Abbas out to dry. What I cannot figure out is why? You can’t tell me that no one in the WH or State Dept. understands that Bibi wants to create a situation where Hamas is the only one left standing so that he can then turn around and blame the Palestinians for creating the roadblocks to negotiations. This is so obvious. And in the past when Bibi has agreed to halt *some* settlement construction, he doesn’t, plain and simple. Avigdor Lieberman has made clear that a) the US will do whatever Israel wants it to do and b) they really have no interest in a two state solution. Does the Obama administration really not “get” this?

The US could have at least given public props to Abbas for his willingness to set aside Goldstone for now particularly given that his willingness to do so may mean the end of his political career and the strengthening of Hamas.

I’m just baffled by all of this.

By: JasperJohns

JasperJohns — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:57:47 +0000

i woke, read clinton’s statement and have been saddened the balance of the day. i’m afraid it’s more if the same for the middle east with no leadership from the US.

By: macaquerman

macaquerman — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:10:38 +0000

Not under the bus, Hamas belongs inside a bus. One that’s blasted and burning.

The Israeli government belongs underneath

By: Leen

Leen — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:39:44 +0000

Clinton ” Well, I would add just for context that what the prime minister is saying is historically accurate. There has never been a precondition. It’s always been an issue within the negotiations. What the prime minister has offered in specifics of a restraint on the policy of settlements, which he has just described – no new starts, for example – is unprecedented in the context of the prior two negotiations. It’s also the fact that for 40 years, presidents of both parties have questioned the legitimacy of settlements.

But I think that where we are right now is to try to get into the negotiations. The prime minister will be able to present his government’s proposal about what they are doing regarding settlements, which I think when fully explained will be seen as being not only unprecedented but in response to many of the concerns that have been expressed. There are always demands made in any negotiation that are not going to be fully realized. I mean, negotiation, by its very definition, is a process of trying to meet the other’s needs while protecting your core interests. And on settlements, there’s never been a precondition, there’s never been such an offer from any Israeli government. And we hope that we’ll be able to move in to the negotiations where all the issues that President Obama mentioned in his speech at the United Nations will be on the table for the parties to begin to resolve.”

Clinton “no new starts”

All thewhile Israel expands under the spin “natural growth”
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Clinton “It’s also the fact that for 40 years, presidents of both parties have questioned the legitimacy of settlements.”

“questioned” The Israeli government gives a rats ass about our President’s “questioning the legitimacy of settlements”

Spencer “Netanyahu knows what he’s doing. Does Obama?” Sure does not look like it
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Hell according to Phillip Weiss over at Mondoweiss. The Goldstone report was not even whispered about over at the J Street conference. Real big changes. Not happening!

J Street throws Gaza under the bus

by Philip Weiss on October 31, 2009 · 35 comments

J Street’s leaders repeatedly said they are part of a “movement.” The funny thing is that movement within leftwing Jewish life was galvanized by the Gaza slaughter. But J Street says not a word about Gaza. In fact, in reaching for the Jewish center, it threw the Goldstone report, and the human rights of a persecuted people, under the bus.

http://mondoweiss.net/2009/10/why-j-street-doesnt-say-the-g-word.html

http://mondoweiss.net/2009/10/rabbi-yoffie-returns-all-j-streets-favors-by-praising-aipac.html