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Palestinian Officials to Obama: Get Tougher With Israel

Feb. 7, 2013 9:01am Billy Hallowell

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Palestinian officials said Thursday they hope President Barack Obama’s upcoming visit to the region signals readiness to re-engage in Mideast peace efforts, but that negotiations can only resume if Washington is ready to get tough with Israel.

The Palestinians have long been anxious for the U.S. to revive serious talks with Israel. Their expectations were dampened following a White House statement that Obama will not pursue any new peace initiatives on his visit, expected in late March.

Jibril Rajoub, a former Palestinian security chief and prominent West Bank official, told Israel’s Army Radio that Washington is the only one that can “build a bridge of trust” between the two sides.

“If there is anyone who can press the Israelis to change their attitude, it’s the American president,” Rajoub, speaking Hebrew, said Thursday. “I see his visit as important. We all need it. I hope something will come of it.”

Peace talks between the two sides collapsed in 2008. Palestinians refuse to negotiate until Israel stops building settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, areas they want for a future state.

Palestinian Leaders to Obama: Get Tough With Israel and Help Negotiations Proceed

In this July 6, 2010 file photo, President Barack Obama talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they walk to Netanyahu’s car outside the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. After a long and chilly four years, Barack Obama hopes to reset his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with his first trip to Israel as president this spring. And it could be a step toward reopening a pathway toward peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, although Obama is carrying no big new Mideast peace plan(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

Israel has refused to halt settlement construction in the two areas, which it captured in the 1967 Mideast war, saying there should be no preconditions for talks.

Under heavy U.S. pressure, Israel agreed to a temporary slowdown in building that helped Obama to restart talks in 2010. But those negotiations collapsed after several weeks when the Israeli moratorium expired.

The Palestinians hope to establish an independent state in all territories captured by Israel in 1967, a position widely backed by the international community. Netanyahu opposes a return to the 1967 lines.

Given the wide gaps between Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, talks have remained at a standstill and the U.S. has remained largely on the sidelines.

The Palestinians believe they don’t have enough common ground with Netanyahu for successful negotiations. They also fear the Israeli leader wants negotiations more to ease diplomatic pressure on Israel than to truly seek a deal. A final agreement would require difficult concessions, including a division of Jerusalem.

Israel, for its part, believes the Palestinians are to blame for refusing to return to the peace table without preconditions. Netanyahu has said peace talks cannot be fruitful if the Palestinians continue to refuse to recognize Israel as the Jewish homeland.

CAIRO, EGYPT – FEBRUARY 5: In this handout image supplied by PPO, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attends an official reception with Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, on February 5, 2013 in Cairo, Egypt. Protests have continued across Egypt nearly more than one week after the second anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution that overthrew former President Hosni Mubarak. Credit: Getty Images

Abbas and his aides argue that negotiations can only resume if the U.S. engages fully and if Obama is willing to spend political capital on pressuring Netanyahu. Wednesday’s White House comments suggest that such involvement is unlikely in the near future.

Hanan Ashrawi, a senior Palestinian official, said Thursday that she hopes Obama’s visit “signals an American promise to become an honest and impartial peace broker.”

“The U.S. can play this positive role by engaging in an effective and constructive manner rather than by repeating the same policy of negotiations for their own sake,” she said.

Previous visits to the region by U.S. presidents have raised high expectations for U.S.-brokered peace deals. The White House tried to lower those expectations this time, emphasizing that the president’s focus will be to turn a new leaf with his Israeli counterpart, with whom he had frosty relations during his first administration.

U.S. officials said Obama will meet with Netanyahu and Palestinian leaders and will stress the importance of getting the parties back to the negotiating table, but that the administration does not see the immediate revival of the peace process as a realistic prospect.

“That is not the purpose of this visit,” said White House spokesman Jay Carney. The White House has not announced a date for Obama’s visit, but Israeli media reported he will arrive March 20 for a three-day visit.

Danny Ayalon, who recently stepped down as Israel’s deputy foreign minister, said there may be more hope for bringing the sides to the negotiating table following Israel’s recent election, in which Netanyahu won another term.

Netanyahu is building a new coalition now, and he has signaled that he seeks to include centrist parties that have demanded a resumption of peace efforts.

“The next government may have more wiggle room because of the coalition,” Ayalon said.

Newly sworn-in Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to visit Israel, the Palestinian territories and other countries in the region this month to prepare for Obama’s trip. Kerry also spoke with Netanyahu and Abbas over the weekend to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to the peace process.

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Comments (40)

universalphilos
Posted on February 20, 2013 at 10:03pm
A prophetic parable, February 1, 1980: “We have told you of another time, yet it could be your own, now. For the Palestinians are quiet now, but they are working in earnest. Those of the Russian continent have made but puppets out of the world. And yet, you have another power who hungers for the world; it is afraid of the Bear. That is that that you call, China.
We have told you before to prepare – [to] prepare a place to bring stores. And we say unto you, it is but the whispering of a wind that keeps you from a war at this moment. It is but the words, “One nation under God,” that has held you sacred unto the Lord.
We say unto you, lands and many lands shall come aflame as this great threat continues. And the Anti‑Christ and those who prepare the way for his coming are making great progress.
We say unto you, love one another. Take that that the Lord has given you. Hold the name of the Lord sacred in all things. Do not allow the mark of the Beast to come upon you….” http://www.angelfire.com/in4/aup_messiah/1980February01.audio.html

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NigelTufnel
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 10:59pm
Someone better tell the Palestinians that President Obama has no cards to play. He’s all 6′s,7′s and nines baby. Our bond bubble is getting ready to burst, our Senate can’t make out a budget, our military is waning, sequestered cuts loom, Obamacare exchanges won’t be open in time, the dollar is in shambles and Obama won’t even get gun control or blanket amnesty. Israel and Palestine are gonna have to duke this one out themselves. We can’t even protect our own embassies.

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KIOTI-TEXAS
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 8:46pm
We need to stop all the billions of dollars going to the Palestinians Brotherhood…Look at the Suits the TERRORIST ARE WEARING ON TAX PAYER EXPESENCE…

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- Thatsitivehadenough
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 5:38am
  Holy cow! You are right! I think this could actually be an interesting point to push in the media.
  
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KIOTI-TEXAS
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 8:39pm
Palestinians are TERRORIST,,,how come we have talks with TERRORIST GROUP WANTING TO DESTROY ISRAEL???I would tell the Palestinians TO GO TO #ELL and give them all a PIG TO EAT…

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watashbuddyfriend
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 7:18pm
Netanyahu, when you hear these kind of comments from the Palestinians, it is time to take action!

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Rileydj
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 7:00pm
Barack Hussein Obama will likely listen to his Muslim brothers. He has disrespected Israel and his own country for the entire first term.
Worst traitor the US has seen since Benedict Arnold!

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jessieH
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 1:16pm
I hope Israel tells him to piss off.

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B-Neil
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 12:33pm
I think the Palestinians should put more cocern to cleaning there dirt streets and mud huts. Then again thats a little tough for them.

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jeffile
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 11:16am
I can’t understand why no one reminds Palestinians that they are the ones who refuse Israel’s right to exist and want no Jews within the borders of Israel. How in the whorl does one make peace with these pissants.

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RaydocX
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 10:20am
Palestine movement… as there is no country, sorry to have to break this to you, but our President, with his many flaws and problems, is NOT your President.

Taking care of your needs is NOT our problem.
You have not demonstrated yourselves to be a peaceful, friendly power in the Middle East.
You are more concerned with Israel than the safety and well being of your stateless people.
You ignore the benefits your nemesis Israel provides your people.
You ignore the growth and prosperity Israel proves is possible in that desert.

In short, you need not speak to your own leaders, Palestinians, and Palestinian leaders, rein in the terrorists and seek to work with Israel for the benefit of all… Lacking that, there is nothing we can offer; the US has learned the hard way that endless handouts create a dependent resentful population of serfs…

oh wait, that’s at the guidance of OUR President… damn, he may just listen to you…

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willingtoupe
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 9:57am
Yea, Stop giving them freebees and money we can’t afford!

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Fubared
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 9:46am
We need assault rocks.

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- Dismayed Veteran
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 12:18pm
  Fubared
  
  Please don’t be so aggressive. We need personal defense rocks.
  
  Report this comment
shorelineliz
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 9:46am
The stupid Hamas in the West Bank have no idea who Bebe is. I laughed at this one big time! Netanyahu could give a flying flip what Obama thinks or wants. He will ultimately and at the right time act in Israel’s best interests.

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- momrules
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 1:55pm
  I agree LIZ……..Netanyahu puts the safety of Israel above whatever Obama might say or want.
  
  God bless Israel.
  
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- Thatsitivehadenough
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 5:41am
  Well, seems like Barack will be stuck between a rock and a hard place. This should be good.
  
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AUsername
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 9:41am
Americans to Obama: Ignore Israel

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- Fubared
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 9:45am
  No thanks. Smoke up.
  
  Report this comment
- kryptonite
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 9:52am
  Ignore this member of the United Nazi-Islamist Party of America, founded by Ron Paul.
  
  Report this comment
- AUsername
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 9:57am
  right anyone who doesn’t want our troops to die for israel or our tax money going out of the country is a nazi lol. this nation is a user of America not an ally.
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 10:07am
  A User
  Just for giggles, point to a nation that isn’t “a user” of us? The Israeli’s provide us with all kinds of intel, smarty stuff for your sake. They also test many platforms we later improve on, and they actually have our back in the area. Smoke more, smoke more often, and quit humping that inflatable Paul doll. It’s sick.
  
  Report this comment
- Lloyd Drako
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 10:15am
  We shouldn’t ignore Israel. We should support Israel. We should not, however, make it appear that we will support anything any Israeli government, ever, may decide to do.
  
  Report this comment
- ofass
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 11:21am
  Hey AUSERNAME, get back to your cave.
  
  Report this comment
- tzion
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 11:34am
  More like leave Israel alone. The USA has interfered in Israel’s affairs far to often and only succeeded in dragging out the conflict. We installed Arafat and gave him money and he then builds suicide bomber training camps for children.
  
  Ignoring Israel means forgoing access to the best intelligence in the world. Not a good idea.
  
  Report this comment
- AUsername
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 11:35am
  All Israel does is make us more enemies, get us into wars like Iraq and rob the tax payers of their money.
  
  Report this comment
dustbunnieskill
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 9:33am
Yes,there will be peace in our time,I have a signed promise from Adolf!

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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 9:28am
War is coming and I can imagine Obama will join with the Arab invasion to ensure that the Palestinians have their homeland under the “Right to Protect” precedent he established for the use of force in Libya that he went around the back of Congress to achieve.

Obama desires to be seen as a savior and liberator of the ‘oppressed Arab masses’ as Lincoln freed the slaves in the United States.

Obama is insane and bent on a course of war and a orgy of bloodshedding.

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- Cavallo
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 9:47am
  Israel needs to just build a border fence/wall, declare the borders of its own country and that of the Arabs in what used to be Lebanon, and close down their borders. Withdraw all Jewish settlements on the far side of that wall and let the Paleo-stinians stew. No tax collection, no aid, no cross border employment or visitation. Treat every cross border assault as an act of war.
  
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- Lloyd Drako
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 10:07am
  You are outdoing yourself in the Silliness Sweepstakes. What Obama would like is to broker peace between an Israel with defensible borders and a viable Palestine with full state sovereignty. Just like almost every president since Nixon, he would like to leave a legacy of “peace in the Middle East.” Nothing more. (That’s not to say he’ll get it, any more than his predecessors.)
  
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- RaydocX
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 10:25am
  @Drako,
  i don’t doubt that’s what O would like… to actually EARN that Nobel prize.
  it’s hard to accomplish that when the Palestinian’s military arm see no benefit to peaceful coexistence, since that would render them obsolete. Until the Palestinian people stop offering their children as human bombs and stand up like the Irish did, Hamas and its ilk will not allow any true peace or stability to an Israeli/ Palestinian settlement.
  
  And I suspect O recognizes that, and so is content to seem the fat well fed man on TV ‘helping’ the starving children… offering other people’s money for sustenance makes him look and feel good, without really putting himself out and without truly impacting the situation, merely kicking the can down the road.
  
  Report this comment
- tonypro
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 2:46pm
  Touche’ Snowleopard
  
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maumau
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 9:18am
Of course the palestinians want Israel to back off, Israel is tired of being bullied and they will take out the palestines once and for all. Look you fought and didn’t win so stop crying about the land you gambled with and lost fair and square. As far as obama, what do you think he can do ? He ignored and disrespected Israel from the get go, yea thats right though I forgot hes the messaih, jewish , gay president he can do it all…..

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- Lloyd Drako
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 10:12am
  It wasn’t the Palestinians who gambled with the fate of the West Bank either in 1967 or in 1973. It was the Jordanians and the Egyptians. The Palestinians are simply the people who happen to live in the land the Jordanians and Egyptians gambled with.
  
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MiCurmudgeon
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 9:18am
Watch out, “Nevile” Obama is headed to Israel. How did that work 74 years ago?

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- WillG
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 9:32am
  That came to my mind as well.
  
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- Lloyd Drako
  Posted on February 7, 2013 at 10:09am
  Since Chamberlain went to Munich and not to Czechoslovakia, the comparison is not very apt.
  
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bigbear_awake
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 9:15am
going there to use the thugery like he uses with all the other spineless Washington occupiers

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progressiveslayer
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 9:14am
Get tougher with Israel? Don’t worry he will I’m sure,he wants Israel to go back to 67 borders and give his friends more ‘land for peace’ BS that nobody’s buying. I recall years ago Burak offered Arafat a lot of ‘land for peace’ an insane amount and Arafat didn’t take the deal because he wanted a perpetual state of war to exist between the Palestinians and Israel. Israel ignore Barry and get rid of your squatters,they’ve squatted long enough.

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barber2
Posted on February 7, 2013 at 9:09am
Never fear. With John Kerry , Joe Biden, and Barack Obama in charge, peace will reign soon in the Middle East. ( snark off now )

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