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Did Obama Get Suckered?
Charles Dharapak / AP Photo
Far from taking risks for peace, like freezing settlements, the Israeli prime minister just laid down new preconditions. Martin Indyk, former ambassador to Israel and director of the Saban Center at Brookings on what Obama didn't get from Netanyahu.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s press availability with President Obama at the White House on Monday conjures up memories of a time 16 years ago, when a young new president, committed to achieving Middle East peace, stood next to a newly elected Israeli prime minister and inaugurated a partnership in peacemaking.
Then, as on Monday, they had just concluded an extensive private meeting in which Yitzhak Rabin had told Bill Clinton he was willing to make a full withdrawal from the Golan Heights to achieve peace with Syria. Reflecting the tone but not the content of that secret conversation, Clinton told the assembled press that Rabin had expressed a willingness to take risks for peace and that he had responded to the Israeli leader, “If you do that, my role is to minimize those risks.”
Netanyahu was completely silent on the settlements freeze in public; in private, I’m told, he said it would be difficult to do.
Whatever else happened in the private Netanyahu-Obama meeting, this Israeli prime minister certainly didn’t sound like he was willing to take any risks for peace. Reflecting his fear of antagonizing his right-wing supporters, Netanyahu avoided publicly committing himself to accepting an independent Palestinian state as the outcome of peace negotiations. Instead, he spoke of “self-government” for the Palestinians and laid down what sounded like a new precondition: The Palestinians would have to “allow Israel the means to defend itself.”
What Netanyahu apparently means by that is a Palestinian state minus the means to defend itself, or to control its airspace, or its international passageways. Not unreasonable concerns given Israel’s experience with Gaza, but to put forward such requirements at the outset looks more like a well-practiced Netanyahu negotiating tactic: Raise the bar as high as possible and require the United States to lift the Palestinians over it before he has to make any concessions.
So too with the new potential for Arab state involvement in the peace process: Netanyahu correctly identifies the shared concern of the U.S., Israel, and the Arab states about Iran’s hegemonic regional ambitions and its aggressive nuclear program. In Obama’s view, working with Arab leaders to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could help counter Iran. But Netanyahu appears to have tasked Obama with the challenge of bringing these Arab leaders to the peace party without indicating what he will do either to get them there or to reward them for the risk of coming. That’s an invitation they will easily refuse. And if they do, will Netanyahu then have the explanation he needs for taking no risks himself?
There’s one Israeli action that might help move things forward, and Obama was not shy in bringing it up at the press conference—Israel’s roadmap obligation to stop settlements. A real settlements freeze would give Palestinians renewed hope in negotiations and boost the failing fortunes of their president, Mahmoud Abbas. And if Netanyahu were willing to live up to that commitment, Obama might be able to persuade the Saudis and other Gulf Arabs to reciprocate by normalizing relations with Israel—through diplomatic engagement, direct flights, phone communications, etc. Such confidence-building steps could in turn give Israelis greater faith in the potential of peace with the Arab world. Not exactly a breakthrough, but some baby steps in the right direction. Only trouble is Netanyahu was completely silent on the settlements freeze in public; in private, I’m told, he said it would be difficult to do.
Netanyahu’s approach is understandable if all he plans to do with his second term as Israel’s prime minister is to maintain his unruly coalition. Perhaps it was in the hope that he is made of more Rabin-like qualities that Obama suggested in their press conference that he might rise to this historic occasion. But Bibi didn’t respond to the enticement of potential statesmanship, either.
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melissamsouza
You end your article by referring to the last time Bibi was PM. Well, he lost his Prime Ministership in large measure because he antagonized the Clinton Administration and damaged U.S.-Israeli relations. I think he learned his lesson; afterall, he does have Labor as part of his coalition, and he would be crazy to risk a rift with a popular American President at the beginning of his term as PM. I don't think Netanyahu is a fool, and Obama will not be steamrolled. The American President is fully aware of Bibi's gimmicks and his current situation; I believe Obama is ready to push Israel forcefully if need be. The U.S. President's entire national security policy depends on his success in bringing peace to the Middle East; Iraq, the struggle against terror, Af-Pak will fall apart with continued tensions and violence in the region. This is why the answer is no, Obama did not, and will not, get suckered. It's not his style. It will not be his legacy.
Issywise
It is an open question whether Arab public opinion will accept anything short of the last Israeli being pushed into the sea, but so long as Israel keeps building settlements it cannot be said Israel is striving for peace in good faith.
The settlement policy is colonialism in its most classic form: the use of armed force to clear land of one people to make room for preferred immigrants. The US is culpable in this policy, funding it by over a million dollars a day.
Obama is a trimmer. Expect no more from him than from Carter and Bush, unless the American public indicate a preference that it no longer be complicit with Israel's colonial policies.
On the other hand, Netanyahu's election was more a result of Hamas' missiles than any other factor. I can't blame Israeli's for the impulse to take a hard line when withdrawing from Gaza resulted in 10,048 missiles launched at Israeli schools and homes.
There is no open question about Hamas enjoying wide support in the Arab and Muslim worlds and especially among the Palestinians.
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n--Y--toodogsThis comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
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n--Y--toodogshidflect
I think your post is having the opposite effect of what you intended...
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n--Y--toodogsAntinous
It might well be a nuclear Iran will be a useful counterbalance to Israeli aggression in the Palestinian territory. With the threat of nuclear annihilation they might be more willing to consider a less harsh policy toward what has been a captive people for many decades. A condition the world seems to have come to except.
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n--Y--toodogsMTFinch
Israeli agression??? Read the post above yours, and read some of the references.
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n--Y--toodogsAntinous
Yes, 1.62 bil. Muslims and 4 mil.Jews. And the Taliban nearing control of Pakistan, a nuclear power that can hit Israel with impunity. The noose is tightening and the Israeli need to accept that their punitive actions toward the Palestinians are not the guarantor of peace they think it is but a path to destruction. It's a matter of time.
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n--Y--toodogsspinozareader
THE Alan Dershowitz...? Wow. (And I do mean that.)
Issywise
Antinous
Yes, and a good plague would solve the problem of school overcrowding too.
Judgment: It's something worth working on getting.
AmiBlue
Israel has lost this long-time supporter. Israeli hardliners got their way with the bush administration and now they are behaving like spoiled children. What is needed is a firm hand and some tough love. I hope Obama stays the course.
A little-noticed news item last week noted that Hamas and Fatah may open talks soon. If so, a good deal of the credit for getting them together goes to the Obama administration, I imagine. Each party, the Palestinians and the Israelis, must put its own houses in order before peace will prevail. Considering their current leadership, I'm betting the Israelis have a harder time with that than the Palestinians.
kspear
Here is another "little-noticed new item" from yesterday showing the Palestinians to be more splintered than ever.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1242212416346&pagename=JPost %2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
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n--Y--toodogsIssywise
toodogs
You say no one supported Israel? Gee, I thought the million dollars a day plus that American tax payers give it was support. I thought providing all the diplomatic support was support.
What's not support?
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n--Y--toodogsDelmotte
Everyone did their best to "spin" the meetings as productive, but there was no doubt that the two men see the world in starkly different ways. Prime Minister Netanyahu made it clear he will defend the security of his country. He better mean it. I believe the evidence is already clear that Barack Obama is clueless about Israel's security and, for that matter, America's enemies.
The most disturbing development in recent weeks has been media reports in Israel, Europe and the United States that the Obama Administration has repeatedly warned Israel not to take military action to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Obama revealed yesterday that his plan to deal with Iran was "all carrot and no stick." The toughest thing he said was, "We're not going to have to talk forever," and he added that Iran shouldn't interpret his willingness to talk as a sign of weakness. But that is exactly how it is being perceived by Ahmadinejad, who is now saying in virtually every speech that Obama's "outreach" is proof that Iran is winning and America is losing.
Here is what Obama and the American Left do not understand. When you negotiate with Iran, you aren't negotiating with a country - you are negotiating with a cause. Countries can be convinced to make concessions. But a "cause," in this case the creation of a worldwide Islamic caliphate, does not make concessions or follow the rules of diplomacy. Ahmadinejad and groups like Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad see themselves as warriors for Allah. To them, every Western concession is further proof that Allah is bringing them victory; it is further justification for terrorism and other barbaric tactics. Israel understands this. Sadly, our president does not.
TRIATHLON
THE JEWISH CAUSE
Yes, every Wing-Nut-Religious group has a cause, and so does Israel, to be the head of a Hierarchical Structure New World Order with the (AIE), American Israeli Empire, that the top with Israel at the apex, Israel already controls the Empire, you Jews control the (IMF) International Monitary Fund, The World Bank, Wall St., and the (544) Imperial Court of the Western half of the Empire, you maintained the Dollar as the International Currency, you control the most powerful military establishment that the world has ever created.
The Media Messiah Imperial President of the West has no CORE VALUES period, he thru his own religion under the bus to get where he's at, and you think he wouldn't throw the Jews under that same bus, wake up drink the coffee and smell the roses. What do you see marked Made in America, and then see if you can find anything marked made in Israel. beyond Ammunition, and drones sold to the Russian Federation.
The Jews of Israel have to understand they are FAST losing support within the Western (AIE) American Israeli Empire, they have already lost the rest of the global community. The Magic Negro, is not a Messiah, his own party is showing signs of splitting, Pelosi and Reid are seen as not only over supportive of Israel but as Race traitors, and this is from the Jewish Press.
You have tunnel vision, The Russian Federation, and the (PRC) Peoples Republic of China are Spheres of Influnce supporters who do not support Israel and any attack on Iran, would put your Global Support at (0%) Zero, and Red China can make the economic life of the Western Empire a shambles, the Russian Federation could twist the arm of Europe.
Your Magic Negro Messiah has two Mossad Agents helping him Emanuel and Axelrod, plus the (AIPAC/AZC) American Israel Public Affairs Committee/American Zionist Council, and its getting shaky. Israel will have to accomodate a lot more than refugees from Boro Park and Brighton Beach in Brooklyn Non-Israeli-Jews will have to flee for their lives from around the globe.
It's begining to look like a Deal or Die moment! You Jews have got it made your in the cat bird seat, you have no one to blame but yourselves if you end up going it alone.
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n--Y--toodogsbcaldwell
Triathlon. Just for a reality check, Iran pulls something stupid on Israel, and it does not knock out Israel's nukes.... the Ahmadinejad and the mullahs better get ready for 70 virgins in paradise because that is where he is and they will be going.
You know, I really love all of you folks who criticize Israel...oh you want fair play for the Palestinians. Those poor Palestinians who when they were offered peace in the 1990's responded with an Intifada and suicide bombings. You know Tri, the Palestinians and the Arabs start a fight with Israel, Israel kicks their arses 3 times and the Israelis are the bad guys? Hezbollah builds military bunkers in the middle of villages in Lebanon, shells Israel from said villages, the Israelis respond by attacking those that attack them ...and the Israelis are bad guys?
As to your assertion thast the PRC and the Russkies are the new big boys on the block....please. We could shut the ChiComs down tomorrow. Torpedo their new fleet they are building and bankrupt them all before breakfast. The Russkies, all we need to do is to call them and tell them its over. Both are third world countries with second world militaries.
But I will say this, the western world needs to get over its moral indignation complex when it comes to Israel. I would much rather deal with the Jews than the Muslims. Actually, for Western Europe its not so much a moral indignation thing is it.... no its more like a fear thing because the decadent Euro -trash stopped making babies a while back and then imported in a whole mess of North Africans and Middle East types to do the work. Now they are expanding.
Actually the more I think about it, you sound an awful lot like an Aryan Nation guy
PARRYISLE2
There will always be a need for Israel to accomodate the refugees from Boro Park and Brighton Beach in Brooklyn.
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n--Y--toodogsAntinous
BS being statements you don't agree with. What if one did not accept the concept of the Balfour agreement to start with. Then the Zionist nation has no legitimacy at all. This is neither good nor bad, but a point of view. I am merely stating what I see happening and the eventual conclusion. If that does not coincide with your view, to bad. As far as historical facts, facts being in this case, the concocted story to suit the Zionist position..
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n--Y--toodogsGenni2002
In the interview Obama seemed to get sucker punched. Sorry, but did sound pretty same old same old from Netanyahu whatever they or the others talked about outside of it.
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n--Y--toodogsTRIATHLON
OPEN DISCUSSIONS ARE NEVER WASTED TIME!
If we don't hear or read what the other sides point of view then we are locked into a blind my way or the highway confrontation, you see your way, I see it mine we walk towards the middle along a long Georgia Line. Facts are viewed from two view points. Which comes first the chicken or the egg, Iran or Palestine? Since (1948) we have seen nothing but death and destruction in the middle east, with it just getting worse and now a serious Nuclear threat, which effects the global community, Israel does not want to face an angry global community alone, the (AIE) American Israeli Empire West has chosen the Palestine problem first, tandum could also see a position but Iran first will not work. There are a lot of Muslims out there and the (AIE) West can't nuke them all.
I don't agree with what you say, but will defend to the death your right to state them.
Genni2002
Your facts are enlightening and you know we cannot have a real discussion if we aren't allowed to express differing views. It just seemed like; in this case, it was nothing new.
Sadly appears to be same old arrogance w/ no new ideas to get a resolution - from any of the participants. And, they have a lot to be worried about. Two states or multi states or new countries- they are all having problems. Is there one example of a situation that has worked well after splitsville?
TRIATHLON
ISRAELI JEW VS NON-ISRAELI JEWS
(Joseph Bar Bin David (J.C.) Jesus Christ)
So, what does Joseph Bar Bin David (J.C.) Jesus Christ have to do with the Israeli Jew and the Non-Israeli Jews, and the answer is pretty much everything. Now, over time and having at times nothing better to do, we have talked to various religious individuals Rabbis, Priest, Latter-Day Saints and one that switched from being a Jew to the Latter-Day-Saints, and a few others just to get a feel for what made individuals of faith tick. The one thing that came up all the time was just how much of Buddhism filtered into each one. We are now getting to (J.C.) we could make a pretty good argument that in fact (J.C.) was a Buddhist if not the re-incarnation of the Buddha, and he was in fact trying to teach the Jews of (2K) Two-Thousand years ago, that the STATE AND RELIGION were not FAITH, that a building made of stone upon dirt, in the STATE and was not the TEMPLE OF FAITH, but simply a structure built to enforce the POWER OF THE STATE THRU RELIGION, along with others RELIGIONS.
(The Israeli Jew)
The Israeli Jew has not changed over (2K) Two-Thousand years, and theirs is a faith based upon the concept that a Deity was first in a Box, and then the box was placed into a building a Temple, behind a curtain and to this day, the ones that have returned to the now STATE OF ISRAEL, once again believe that their Deity and the Box will once again come together, once the Dome of The Rock is removed, a new Temple is built, and then the Box, containing the Deity will appear, and back behind a new curtain, taking the STATE OF ISRAEL, to the apex of power within the New World Order.
(The New Non-Israeli Jew)
The New Non-Israeli Jew, is seeing the effects of not assimilating into the communities in which they live and have lived over the last (2K) Two-Thousand years, and admit there have been benefits in not having assimilated, but now are once again seeing that the cost of non-assimilation far out weight those of remaining a community apart. In the Western part of the (AIE) American Israeli Empire many (JAP's) Jewish American Princess's and their Queen Bee mothers are no longer interested in this time next year in Jerusalem, but this summer in the Hampton, and this winter in Miami, You can hear the (JAP's) now, Mom dad wants to move to Israel why do we have to move to Israel, all my friends are here, MOM! Don't worry dear if your Father really wants to move to Israel, we will let him, we keep the Condo, Half of everything he owns, and if that does not maintain us to the standard of living we have been accustomed to (More), and a trust fund for your college education. So, do not worry your little head, Daddy may think twice once we get a Gat, and he reads the divorce agreement settlement cost.
The New Non-Israeli Jew is more pragmatic, and see's that after (2K) Two-Thousand years of not having a Box, Curtain, or Temple, the Jewish FAITH has survived without a STATE BASED RELIGION, based upon a Box, Curtain and Temple. It does not make them Christians, it simply means they figured the difference between FAITH AND RELIGION, and just were a deity would in fact exist A BOX, BEHIND A CURTAIN, IN A TEMPLE IN THE STATE OF ISRAEL, or in each one of them with or without a beanie, and funny looking clothes and strange customs.
THE JEWS OF ISRAEL ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME ON MORE THAN ONE FRONT! They are facing a revolt from within, as many Non-Israeli-Jews, along with many forced to return to Israeli have rejected the BOX, CURTAIN, TEMPLE, JEWISH REGION for a simple PERSONAL TEMPLE FAITH BASED JUDAISM. The Clock it ticking Iran has to be dealt with, the Box, Curtain, and Temple have to be brought together, and the STATE has to be put back in order, yesterday. Tick-Tock-Tick-Tock.
morris1030
Bibi the rightist has it wrong. Iran and the Palestinians have to be dealt with. Bibi the hardliner will lose if his positions remain rigidly out of step and out of time.
PeorgieTirebiter
President Obama's clear rebuke of Netanyahu's "Iran comes first" meme, as being exactly backwards, makes clear nobody got suckered. But we can all count on Kristol, Krauthammer, Martin Indyk and the usual suspects to play patsy for the dangerous prime minister. With the slaughter in Gaza, Netanyahu forfeited any and all chips he may have had with the new young president. Unfortunately, he may not realize it until he's taken Israel into the choppy seas outside the wake being cut by Obama's new course.
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n--Y--toodogshidflect
Looks like the Shin Bet blogging shills are out in force today... Don't they have jobs? Or is this it?
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n--Y--toodogsnothyslf
toodogs
I would love to read your comments about the Max blumenthal story regarding the Isreali settlements in the West Bank. Is Israeli policy to ALWAYS shoot at civilians, or JUST arab civilians defending THEIR right to exist? You articulate "facts" well, but you have yet to justify the aggressive policy Isreal has towards her ARAB occupants, or problem or terrorists or whatever the Du Jour name Isreal has for Palisitinians that refuse to go down without a fight.
Thank you.
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