Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., January 27, 2009 Shvat 2, 5769 | | Israel Time: 06:24 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Comments:  34
Last update - 20:43 26/01/2009
U.S. State Dept.: Mideast envoy Mitchell to visit region to listen, assess situation
By Barak Ravid and Natasha Mozgovaya, Haaretz Correspondents
Tags: Hamas, Barack Obama 

U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Wood held a briefing Monday ahead of George Mitchell's first visit to the Middle East in his new capacity as U.S. President Barack Obama's envoy to the region. Mitchell is expected to visit Israel, Egypt, the West Bank, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

He is coming to listen to regional leaders, Wood told reporters ahead of Mitchell's expected trip to the region Wednesday. He wants to begin working. He will assess the situation and report his conclusions to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Wood added.

The spokesman stressed that Mitchell does not intend to visit Syria, nor does he plan to speak with Hamas, not even indirectly via Egypt. He added that the new U.S. administration seeks to advance peace between Israel and the Palestinians in an active and aggressive manner, to promote a system to prevent arms smuggling and to resolve the humanitarian issues facing Gazans.
Advertisement
Meanwhile Monday, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said that Obama could use Israel's success in its recent offensive against Hamas to change the reality in the Middle East.

"The IDF operation in Gaza can and must serve as a turning point, not only restoring calm to the residents of the south, but also strengthening the regional processes which both Israel and the U.S. seek to advance," Livni told James Cunningham, the U.S. ambassador to Israel.

Israel killed about 500 Hamas militants and hundreds of other gunmen, the Israel Defense Forces says, during the 22-day campaign in Gaza that ended Jan. 17. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights says the operation killed more than 1,200 Palestinians, more than half of them civilians.

In the meeting with Cunningham, Livni added: "The operation created a strategic change in the status of Hamas and the extremist forces, and can serve as a stimulus for the new [U.S.] administration and the international community to change the reality."

She said that Israel made it clear that "we will not return to the status quo which prevailed prior to the IDF operation, and that we must take advantage of Hamas's weakness and work together to create opportunities that will strengthen the moderate forces in the region."

A Foreign Ministry official said Saturday that Mitchell will arrive on Wednesday for a visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority for talks on boosting a Gaza cease-fire and reviving negotiations. This signals the new U.S. administration's first direct foray in peace efforts.

Mitchell is expected to meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, as well as with candidates for prime minister, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Likud chairman MK Benjamin Netanyahu.


Related articles:
  • Mitchell due in Israel Wed. as Obama launches peacemaking efforts
  • Obama: We will aggressively seek lasting Middle East peace
  • Netanyahu: Likud-led coalition wouldn't build new settlements
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Venezuela's Jews
    Jewish community head: 'Chavez's government endorses anti-Semitism.'
    Breakthrough start-up
    WATCH: Israeli company invents radiation-free lung imaging system.
      1.   You mean the Hamas success? 14:00  |  John 26/01/09
      2.   Newsflash for Livni: Attila the Hun, maybe. Obama no! 14:07  |  Natallie Durson 26/01/09
      3.   Livni has lost her 14:12  |  Chris Linthwaite 26/01/09
      4.   Success? 14:16  |  fritz t. 26/01/09
      5.   Livni wants US to fight its war 14:20  |  ahmer 26/01/09
      6.   Hey Chris Linthwaite 14:27  |  Neil 26/01/09
      7.   Reality Check 14:35  |  Bazmann 26/01/09
      8.   Who created the problem must fix it. End the occupation first. 14:40  |  judy 26/01/09
      9.   she run amok! 15:33  |  Stem Cell 26/01/09
      10.   Arrest Livni now! 15:45  |  Tom007 26/01/09
      11.   alter mideast reality 16:40  |  rob 26/01/09
      12.   No "normal" audience in Israel to test on Natallie... 17:26  |  BBSNews 26/01/09
      13.   Hey, Neil 17:49  |  Hugh 26/01/09
      14.   Its not just an Israel issue 17:52  |  Dave Duncan 26/01/09
      15.   Tailwagging 17:59  |  james phillips 26/01/09
      16.   #6 Niel of Jerusalem 18:37  |  Chris Linthwaite 26/01/09
      17.   Judy`s "problem creation" 18:38  |  SDHD 26/01/09
      18.   NORTHERN IRELAND SHOWS THAT LIVNI MAY BE RIGHT 18:52  |  Ian 26/01/09
      19.   Good analogy Dave Duncan, but... 18:53  |  BBSNews 26/01/09
      20.   Livni on Gaza 18:54  |  Ron Cohen 26/01/09
      21.   hey livni? i just checked jordan times..you are wanted 19:02  |  check it 26/01/09
      22.   Obama Can Use Livni`s Delusion to Alter Reality 19:43  |  Mark 26/01/09
      23.   clarity- for israel. against iran. for obama? 19:43  |  yonah 26/01/09
      24.   After Iraq, US will not fight Israel`s wars 19:49  |  Jaan 26/01/09
      25.   Success? 19:58  |  Concerned Global Cit 26/01/09
      26.   Livni: Obama can use Gaza op success to alter Mideast reality 20:35  |  Anne 26/01/09
      27.   She is Correct 20:39  |  Ron 26/01/09
      28.   Israeli Bashers 20:52  |  Ron 26/01/09
      29.   #15 The tail won`t wag this dog..... 20:52  |  Peter Mall 26/01/09
      30.   Livni is right - Israed has made the US task easier 21:06  |  ivo 26/01/09
      31.   Livni is right - Israed has made the US task easier 21:06  |  ivo 26/01/09
      32.   He did a great job in Ireland! 22:41  |  Pat 26/01/09
      33.   BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE A MUST, NOT A LEARN-AS-YOU-GO CONFLICT 22:57  |  dp 26/01/09
      34.   Ron? you must live in alternate reality 00:35  |  amazed 27/01/09
     Read & React
    Livni: Israel should strike Hamas again to halt arms smuggling
    Responses: 86
    Egypt to Hamas: Take Gaza truce before Netanyahu is voted PM
    Responses: 98
    Netanyahu: Likud-led government wouldn't build new settlements
    Responses: 72
    Akiva Eldar: Saudi plan offers Israel united front with Arab states against Iran
    Responses: 59
    IDF rabbinate publication during Gaza war: We will show no mercy on the cruel
    Responses: 83


    More Headlines
    03:23 Diplomatic effort stymies French push to lift Hamas boycott
    03:31 ANALYSIS / Recognizing that Israel's effort to topple Hamas has failed
    00:23 Obama: Mideast peace is personally important to me
    01:24 Kadima kicks off campaign with threat to bump off Hamas leaders
    05:33 In bid to gain Russian vote, Barak mimics Putin 'we'll kill them on the toilet' remark
    02:20 Head of right-wing think tank: Settlements must be evacuated
    03:02 Miri Eisin / Is only the Israeli narrative 'the truth' and all the others wrong?
    22:07 'In Venezuela, anti-Semitism is endorsed by the government'
    01:51 Conference concludes: Gaza war legitimized equating Jews with Nazis
    02:30 Eurovision contenders withdraw from benefit concert for Gaza civilians, citing political tug-of-war
    04:15 Gideon Levy / My Shabbat dinner with Rabbi Avraham Ravitz
    05:24 After 60 years, siblings separated in WWII reunited
    04:45 Pedophile case suspect ran child prostitution ring
    05:25 Vatican: Comments by Holocaust-denying bishop unacceptable
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Blue And White Forever Israel Army T-shirts
    Wear with Proud Donate the Soldiers Kit
    You can make a direct IMPACT!
    on the life of an Israeli soldier
    State of Israel Bonds
    During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help.
    SURF RAMBAM
    Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research.
    Camp Kimama Israel 2009
    The best place for your children this summer
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved