Obama to U.S. Jewish leaders: Israel must engage in self-reflection

[Scurrilous]

Source: Haaretz

<snip>

"U.S. President Barack Obama met yesterday (Monday afternoon) for the first time with 15 American Jewish leaders at the White House, for talks aimed at clearing the air following allegations that his administration was taking a tough line with Israel over settlement activity.

At the meeting, Obama told the leaders that he wants to help Israel overcome its demographic problem by reaching an agreement on a two-state solution, but that in order to do so, Israel would need "to engage in serious self-reflection."

<snip>

"One of the participants at the meeting asked the president to take a lower profile regarding the public differences between his administration and the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the United States' demand that Israel freeze all settlement construction activity in the West Bank. "This situation is not helpful," he told the president, who rejected the request, saying that during the eight years of the Bush administration, such disagreements were never made public but that such an approach was not helpful in advancing the peace process.

Obama added that there is a narrow window of opportunity for advancing the peace process and that he plans to speak openly and honestly with Israel - "a true friend of the U.S." - just as he did with the Arab nations in his speech at Cairo University in June."

Read more: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1099966.html

[sasquatch]

1. You'll have to explain what that means to them

[crim son]

2. I'd say it's time for that, yes.

It's spectacularly obvious that their approach for the last many decades has failed, again and again. Time to try something new.

[whosinpower]

3. depends on what the objective is

The Israeli's have not failed totally....they do still exist after all.

The settlements are a significant instigator of perpetual unrest, seen by palestinians as an in-your-face disenfranchisement, being forcably protected by IDF....their existance is keystone to one thing - control of land. They have not failed in that - peace was never in the equation. The settlements breed/encourage more extremism, from both sides - but if you are in the business of security, defense, weaponry, arms - well peace is talked about, but never really pursued. That is bad for business.

[crim son]

6. Well-stated.

You have probably guessed that "business" per se isn't my very highest priority though it's what makes the world go 'round.

[fascisthunter]

4. about time (nt)

[McCamy Taylor]

5. "Allegations" that they want Israel to follow the rules re: settlements?

Since when is it criminal to question the illegal activities of others?