Clinton says two-state solution 'inescapable' for Middle East

[Turborama]

Source: The Times (UK)

James Hider, Jerusalem

Hillary Clinton threw herself into the turmoil of the Middle East crisis today, backing the creation of a Palestinian state despite opposition from the incoming Israeli government, and dispatching high-level envoys to Syria to feel out the opportunities for regional talks.

Mrs Clinton met with Tzipi Livni, Israel’s Foreign Minister, and like her urged continued dialogue with the Palestinian Authority to create an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. "We happen to believe that moving towards a two-state solution is in Israel's best interests," Mrs Clinton said. The new administration of President Barack Obama "will be vigorously engaged" in pursuing that goal, she said.

=snip=

Mr Netanyahu and others on the Right warn that a Palestinian state could pose a threat to Israeli security, pointing to the example of Gaza, which Israel left in 2005 but whose Islamist rulers Hamas – backed by Tehran – continue to fire rockets at Israel. Hamas, which refuses to recognise Israel as a state, has said it will not halt its attacks until Israel ends a longstanding blockade that has crippled the coastal strip

Many Palestinians are also losing hope in a two-state solution, pointing to the relentless expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank even under Ms Livni’s outgoing government.

A report this week by Peace Now, the leading Israeli anti-settlement group, said that the Israeli housing ministry had plans to build 73,000 more housing units in land that Israel conquered in the 1967 war, which would double the number of settlers and seriously impede any plans for an independent Palestinian state. Mr Netanyahu has said he would not freeze settlement expansion, and would offer only an “economic peace” to the Palestinians, with Israeli forces retaining security control of much of their land.

Read more: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5840294.ece

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Clinton presses Israel on Gaza crossings

Source: Ynet

Visiting US Secretary of State voices concern over closure imposed on Gaza Strip, asks Defense Minister Barak to reopen them in effort to ease humanitarian needs of Palestinians.

By Roni Sofer

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ratcheted up the pressure on Israel regarding the ongoing blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.

In her meeting with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Clinton expressed her concerns regarding the impact the closure has on the humanitarian situation in the Hamas-ruled coastal territory.

The secretary, on her first visit to Israel since being appointed by President Barack Obama, said she believed Israel should open the border crossings to ease the Palestinians' humanitarian needs.

While the other Israeli leaders who met with Clinton earlier in the day reported no overt pressure from the secretary on matters the Obama administration sees as critical, such as the dismantling of West Bank outposts and the cessation of construction in existing settlements, the issue of Gaza's crossings was put squarely on the defense minister's table.


Read More: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3680756,00.html

[Captain Hilts]

1. That's been her, and most Dems' policy for years. Tuff if NutsAndYahoos don't like it. nt

[subsuelo]

5. but it has not been position of Dems to really push for it

[Captain Hilts]

6. True. Maddening. nt

[byeya]

8. I thought Jimmy Carter made a genuine attempt at it. eom

[the other one]

2. There can be no other choice.

No way palestinians and israelis can form a peaceful democracy together.

[aquart]

3. Well, yeah. Except right now it's three states, isn't it?

[Chulanowa]

4. And under the last Clinton plan...

it would have been five states.

Well, one state and four Bantustans

[DavidDvorkin]

7. Livni's position, too

I wonder if there's any realistic chance of her eventually becoming PM, or if her time is now past.

[endarkenment]

9. It might be inescapable for us too.

[SOS]

10. Laughable

Israel will continue it's expansion into the West Bank and the US will do nothing.
Why do they even bother with this foregone theater?

[EFerrari]

11. What year is this?

[On the Road]

12. I Will Hold Out Hope

but not believe it until the borders are drawn. Most recent proposals have not been anwhere close to the 1967 borders, much less the 1948 UN map.

[classysassy]

13. The gutless

law makers,both republican and democrats are scared shitless of Israel and their supporters.