Obama demands Netanyahu’s peace answers by Saturday

[Poll_Blind]

Source: The Jerusalem Post

Officials in the Prime Minister’s Office continued to throw a blackout on the Netanyahu-Obama meeting, as well as give only very sketchy information about the commitments that the US is demanding of Israel as a precursor to starting the proximity talks with the Palestinians. The US, according to officials, wants these commitments by Saturday so it can take them to the Arab League meeting in Libya and receive that organization's backing for starting proximity talks.

--snip--

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, one of the members of Netanyahu’s “septet” inner cabinet, told Channel 2 on Thursday that while Israel was not looking for a fight with the US, it would not give up on its “basic right” to build in Jerusalem. This sentiment was repeated by Netanyahu a number of times during his visit to Washington. Lieberman, according to some reports, called the prime minister during his Washington talks to urge him not to bow to US pressure and not to sign off on any new commitments.

Read more: http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=171846

---

Unfortunately, trying to pare down such a large article never does it justice. This is very "fresh" news (less than an hour old as of this posting) and unlike most of the "row" articles over the last few days, this is addressing the more serious issues- like Obama's timing, what he wants/needs within a short period of time, how that affects Netanyahu politically and the question of exactly how he will respond.

Return to pre-1967 borders has been in the Democratic Party Platform for quite a while now and I'm pretty sure the language survived the last convention as well. These news articles coming out of Israel in the very near future and the ones which will inevitably also come out from the Arab press are going to almost certainly be less flashy reads- few things top the excitement of a political snub-fest, but they're going to have a lot more meat.

If readers aren't really familiar with what the issues are about, this is a good article to read in full just to get a basic idea.

PB

[DCBob]

1. Good.. put the screws to them...

About time someone did.

[Poll_Blind]

3. It is a politically savvy move but Netanyahu (esp. with Avigdor Lieberman at his ear)...

...is much more likely to turtle-up than give in. His entire government is interwoven in with much, much more hardline elements.

If Netanyahu "gives in" it could cause resignations and destabilization (including very close cabinet ministers) in his coalition government, something which may actually be planned by President Obama.

That's hardball politics. On reflection, I think he knows he's got a hell of a battle in a long drawn-out process so he's trying to railroad both parties (because the Palestinians will come under the gun by his administration even more, soon, just like Netanyahu) into action.

Many have speculated that if Netanyahu does lose the ultra-ultra conservative bloc that Kadima (a much less conservative group by Israeli standards) could join him to shore his government up. Which would mean that Netanyahu would be a little more free to actually negotiate.

At this point, "putting the screws to" Netanyahu is putting it mildly. Obama is rolling Chicago-style on this one, it would seem.

PB

[DCBob]

4. We shall see.. this is likely just the first chess move...

I got my money on the guy from Chicago.

[whats_a_zip]

17. I guess you have to pick your battles?

I know it's not mutually exclusive, but how is the decision made to be tough on Israel, yet to back off on Iran?

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iPp6b61b-BhriB3rHZVfWAapAz2g

US softens Iran sanctions plan to win support: report
(AFP) – 1 day ago

WASHINGTON — The United States has stepped back from a series of harsh measures against Iran and softened proposed UN sanctions to win the backing of China and Russia, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

The newspaper said proposals that would have effectively closed international airspace and waters to Iranian state-owned air cargo and shipping lines had been scrapped.

The proposed package of sanctions had also been stripped of plans targeting insurance for certain Iranian companies and the sale of Iranian bonds.

[polichick]

2. Can we stop sending monetary aid yet? nt

[Jefferson23]

5. Evidently, no.

update - 20:27 25/03/2010


Exclusive / Despite row, U.S. and Israel sign massive arms deal


As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Washington this week absorbing the full wrath of the Obama administration, the Pentagon and Israel's defense establishment were in the process of sealing a large arms deal.

According to the deal, Israel will purchase three new Hercules C-130J airplanes. The deal for the three aircrafts, designed by Lockheed Martin, is worth roughly a quarter billion dollars. Each aircraft costs $70 million.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1159155.html

[polichick]

6. So U.S. taxpayers continue to pay Israel's military costs - what crap. nt

[FrenchieCat]

7. Who appropriates the funds? Isn't it the House?

They already got the money....they are on a buying binge right now.

[marshall]

8. What an appropriate slap in the face to Netanyahoo

Screw your sabbath day!

[dogfacedboy]

9. No fan of BeeBee here, but aim it at him, not a religion's holy day...

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[marshall]

11. I was paraphrasing the order

Giving him his marching orders and telling him to get the job done on his sabbath was the ultimate "in your face". Hopefully it will get some action out of him, though the clock is ticking.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[marshall]

13. So true

Too bad we don't have a transcript!

[leftynyc]

14. That was aimed at you

Not Bibi.

[marshall]

15. Oh, well thank you

My point was that it was a classic and smooth way to get the message across that things have changed--like telling a kid he has to have his book report turned in by Christmas day.

There are no more free rides!

[leftynyc]

16. I foresee you

being bitterly disappointed in how nothing is going to change.

[marshall]

18. I'm happy with the change we have on this side of "the pond"

I'm happy that Obama is taking a forceful stand--that is more than enough change to make me happy. I would like to see a change in Netanyahu, but I'm not holding my breath waiting for one. And he is not as much my concern as is our own president.