Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., May 30, 2009 Sivan 7, 5769 | | Israel Time: 22:36 (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 Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
 (AP)
Last update - 09:11 05/05/2009
Obama gets tougher with Israel on Palestinians, Iran
By Barak Ravid and Natasha Mozgovaya
Tags: Iran, Israel News 

As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington May 17 approaches, the United States is sending strong messages on the establishment of a Palestinian state and Israeli settlement activity.

Gen. James Jones, national security adviser to President Barack Obama, told a European foreign minister a week ago that unlike the Bush administration, Obama will be "forceful" with Israel.

Meanwhile, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel told an AIPAC conference last night that two states for two peoples is the only solution the United States is committed to.
Advertisement

"Relations between Israel and the U.S. are unbreakable," Emanuel said before a gathering of 350 AIPAC donors, adding that "this is the moment of truth for Israel and the Palestinians."

He also declared that "Iran is the number-one threat to the Middle East," and noted that it is hard to make progress wherever Tehran is involved in the Middle East.

Emanuel called for Israeli-Palestinian cooperation if Iran is to be countered effectively.

He said the United States was trying to enter a dialogue with countries such as Syria and Iran, even though it was still unclear whether these countries would alter their behavior. He reiterated that the United States wants to talk with Iran in the hope that Tehran will relinquish its efforts to gain nuclear weapons.

Jones is the main force in the Obama administration stressing the Palestinian question and believes that the United States must become more intensively involved in the matter vis-a-vis both Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Several days ago, a classified telegram was received in Jerusalem discussing a meeting between Jones and a European foreign minister. Jones told his European interlocutor that President George W. Bush had avoided actions on the Palestinian question that Israel opposed, but the Obama administration intended to change this practice and become more active. It would not make concessions on matters that Israel had committed to.

"The new administration will convince Israel to compromise on the Palestinian question," Jones said. "We will not push Israel under the wheels of a bus, but we will be more forceful toward Israel than we have been under Bush."

Jones is quoted in the telegram as saying that the United States, European Union and moderate Arab states must redefine "a satisfactory endgame solution."

The U.S. national security adviser did not mention Israel as party to these consultations.

In the face of the strongly worded American signals, Netanyahu reiterated yesterday to the Knesset that "recognition of the State of Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people is the necessary basis for genuine peace between us and our Palestinian neighbors."

In the upcoming days Uzi Arad, Netanyahu's national security adviser, will travel to London for a meeting with his American counterpart to discuss the meeting between the prime minister and Obama on May 18.

President Shimon Peres also addressed the AIPAC conference and complimented the new U.S. president. He described Obama's election as having "engulfed the world with a huge wave of hope."

"President Barack Obama was elected at a time of difficult crises around the world," Peres said. "I am convinced that he has the abilities to transform these crises into opportunities."

Peres also said that "Israel is extending its arms with open hands for peace with all peoples, with all Arab states, with all the Arab peoples. To those who still stand with clenched fists I have only one word: enough. No more war. No more destruction. No more hate. Now is the time for change. The definition of success according to Israel is not by wars that were imposed on us and which we won, but by the peace we gained with some of our neighbors."

Peres' speech drew criticism from the main opposition party, Kadima, which accused the president of becoming a public relations agent for Netanyahu.

"Instead of being president of Israel he became president of the government," a source in Kadima said.

Former finance minister Roni Bar-On described Peres as a defense attorney for Netanyahu who was sent to the United States "to ease the hearing that will be held on May 18" before Obama.

Meanwhile, some observers in the United States have expressed concerns that the differences between Israel and the new U.S. administration are leading to a clash.

Robert Satloff, the director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said he is concerned by the disagreements between Israel and the United States regarding Iran.

"If there is no complete agreement on all the details in dealing with this issue, there is a chance for the most serious dispute between the U.S. and Israel in the entire 61 years of relations between the two," Satloff said.

Related articles:
  • Netanyahu: 'We want peace with Arab world'
  • Peres tells AIPAC Netanyahu wants to make history with peace
  • Bradley Burston / Michael Oren, Ambassador, or, this is how the occupation ends
  • SPECIAL FEATURE / Live blogging from AIPAC conference
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    'Racist, fascist bills'
    Israeli Arabs irate over spate of recent legislation proposals by rightist MKs
    Two men and a baby
    Israel's gay community is experiencing a baby boom
      1.   Israel should be treated as just another misbehaving nation 07:51  |  Natallie Durson 05/05/09
      2.   Whining Politicians 08:04  |  Mark of Lewiston 05/05/09
      3.   White House gets tougher with Israel 08:14  |  Joshua 05/05/09
      4.   Sticking another Hamastan down Israel`s throat 08:14  |  Fortuna Benmayor 05/05/09
      5.   You Can`t Make Somebody Give You a Haircut 08:16  |  Dave 05/05/09
      6.   I TOLD YOU 08:21  |  indrajaya 05/05/09
      7.   used car salesmen 08:23  |  Michael 05/05/09
      8.   How exactly could the US "get forceful" wih Israel? 08:31  |  redbourn 05/05/09
      9.   Obama needs to negotiate with Bin Laden 08:32  |  Richard 05/05/09
      10.   The Great Warrior of change in the election days .. 08:55  |  Akram Zekaria 05/05/09
      11.   Carte blanche stops with Obama, bravo! 08:59  |  Ivar 05/05/09
      12.   Tell Them What To Do 09:15  |  Angela 05/05/09
      13.   Two state solutions.... Gaza / Israel 09:20  |  samer-palestian 05/05/09
      14.   In the past, the U.S. being "forceful" with Israel...... 09:41  |  Swiss (Dino) 05/05/09
      15.   be good boy US? 09:45  |  mary 05/05/09
      16.   Way To Go Obama, Bully Your Most Loyal Ally! 09:49  |  Laguna Geno 05/05/09
      17.   US should treat Israel like Serbia and Kosovo. 09:50  |  Michael 05/05/09
      18.   REINSTATE SADDAM HUSSEIN 09:58  |  Steve 05/05/09
      19.   Barack H. Obama 09:58  |  Albrecht Klein 05/05/09
      20.   All refugees and their families back home 09:59  |  Palestinian 05/05/09
      21.   obama wants it his way and I suppose bibi will give in,he has 10:00  |  glenna 05/05/09
      22.   Court Jew Rahm Emmanuel is a disgrace 10:02  |  RB 05/05/09
      23.   Cooking up a meal in Washington. 10:09  |  Stephen. 05/05/09
      24.   Samer-Palestinian 10:17  |  Ruby 05/05/09
      25.   Natanyahuh is playing flute in the age of house music! 10:18  |  Tom Lobo Meyer 05/05/09
      26.   a little bit of blackmail never harmed anyone 10:19  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 05/05/09
      27.   Fortuna Benmayor #3 10:20  |  TonyL 05/05/09
      28.   Obamanation 10:57  |  Unchel Ben Joseph 05/05/09
      29.   Two principles 11:03  |  Danny 05/05/09
      30.   Realpolitik back in business? 11:09  |  Roo 05/05/09
      31.   #4 "Hamastan" is largely the making of the Quartet 11:13  |  Outsider 05/05/09
      32.   #5 Strange comment 11:16  |  Outsider 05/05/09
      33.   #22 That`s pretty funny, RB 11:17  |  Johnboy 05/05/09
      34.   #24 Overruled 11:24  |  Outsider 05/05/09
      35.   #26 Cipora 11:31  |  Chris Linthwaite 05/05/09
      36.   High time... 11:32  |  Esther 05/05/09
      37.   Amateur Night 11:38  |  leo 05/05/09
      38.   The War Mongers in America 11:40  |  Maigoro 05/05/09
      39.   Who are these Fools in the Whitehouse 11:41  |  Karl 05/05/09
      40.   By far the most interesting bit in this article 11:44  |  Johnboy 05/05/09
      41.   Is Obama pushing for war or peace? 11:46  |  Dr D. 05/05/09
      42.   Not to worry... Obama will be softer that Rahm... 11:51  |  Esther 05/05/09
      43.   to Cipora Julianna Kohn 11:54  |  Maigoro 05/05/09
      44.   Leave us alone America. 11:54  |  Don Lary 05/05/09
      45.   will obarmy produce his birth certificate to show he really is 11:59  |  vhardman 05/05/09
      46.   to #3 and 27 12:03  |  Non-Arab Saudi 05/05/09
      47.   The dawning of a new age. 12:17  |  Razi 05/05/09
      48.   Non-Arab Saudi 12:20  |  TonyL 05/05/09
      49.   vhardman: Untruths 12:20  |  Davids 05/05/09
      50.   33. The pie in the sky is Israel... 12:29  |  Dutch 05/05/09
      51.   #17 Michael: you put your finger right into the wound 12:32  |  Paul S 05/05/09
      52.   Accepting the 1967 borders is not a compromise 12:34  |  jens 05/05/09
      53.   Nataniyahoo should re - schedule meeting 12:35  |  Miron 05/05/09
      54.   Netanyahu will laugh behind Obama`s back 12:39  |  jens 05/05/09
      55.   Sorry Michael You Are Dead Wrong 12:40  |  Angela 05/05/09
      56.   Who`s going to "get forceful" with the US? 12:41  |  IW 05/05/09
      57.   redbourn 8 13:07  |  potobac 05/05/09
      58.   cjk 26 13:13  |  potobac 05/05/09
      59.   Abbas = Iranian Agent 13:19  |  Jeff 05/05/09
      60.   #9 Richard--Simply Brilliant!! 13:28  |  No Dope 05/05/09
      61.   Kadima is bankrupt 13:29  |  Alan R 05/05/09
      62.   Rahm is very blatant, abrupt... (2nd try) 13:31  |  Esther 05/05/09
      63.   Wasn`t Emmanuel to be Indicted? 13:33  |  Jeff 05/05/09
      64.   Obama Et Al Are Out Of Their Depth 13:33  |  Jeff Northridge 05/05/09
      65.   #33 V Hardman aka Paul Harris--out of steam 13:35  |  Labhras 05/05/09
      66.   #34 V Hardman 13:58  |  Chris Linthwaite 05/05/09
      67.   Israeli-Palestinian cooperation? Impossible 14:15  |  Bananna 05/05/09
      68.   Jeff Northridge #52 How many wars would you like sir? 14:19  |  Roo 05/05/09
      69.   Just cut off the funds to Israel 14:23  |  Raffa 05/05/09
      70.   Jeff Northridge #56 How many wars would you like sir? 14:26  |  Roo 05/05/09
      71.   redbourne # 8 your view is irrational 14:31  |  American in NY 05/05/09
      72.   Obama and Comments 14:31  |  Jerryk 05/05/09
      73.   Jeff Northridge how did Obama insult we Europeans. 14:38  |  Labhras 05/05/09
      74.   Let`s call-a-spade-a-spade... 14:39  |  Esther 05/05/09
      75.   Obama may be able to achieve what others failed 14:40  |  Jane 05/05/09
      76.   # 62 jeff the political sage 14:46  |  Axel 05/05/09
      77.   Dutch # 42 Most Palestinians Are Late Arrivals Too 14:48  |  Jeff Northridge 05/05/09
      78.   Jerryk #72 15:20  |  Esther 05/05/09
      79.   Rahm Emanuel.... one tough ombre 15:25  |  allang 05/05/09
      80.   How stupid can they be? 15:40  |  Matt 05/05/09
      81.   I support Obama 15:46  |  Dangor 05/05/09
      82.   #42 Jeff Northbridge: you can only understand this conflict 16:23  |  Paul 05/05/09
      83.   I can`t see what is wrong in putting more pressure on Israel... 16:23  |  tristan 05/05/09
      84.   To Jerryk And Obama`s Comments?@72/ 16:51  |  Kathy 05/05/09
      85.   PA never Pressured 16:52  |  Devin 05/05/09
      86.   Israel, as all other states of America... 16:57  |  Maureen Ann 05/05/09
      87.   Axel # 76 Obama`s Insults 17:11  |  Jeff Northridge 05/05/09
      88.   Dont do it Israel! 17:18  |  Brian 05/05/09
      89.   To #17 - Serbia, Kosovo, Israel comparison? 17:21  |  Col [Res] Cohen 05/05/09
      90.   Thank You President Obama 17:30  |  Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf 05/05/09
      91.   Thank You President Obama (2) 17:36  |  Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf 05/05/09
      92.   Israel will "back" its way into a calamity 18:07  |  Redrum 05/05/09
      93.   Jeff Northridge 18:19  |  Chris Linthwaite 05/05/09
      94.   Please, Mossad, save America 18:25  |  American Jew 05/05/09
      95.   #90, 91 Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf 18:27  |  Chris Linthwaite 05/05/09
      96.   Paul # 82 18:27  |  Jeff Northridge 05/05/09
      97.   #1 NATALIE IS VERY RESPONSIBLE (YEAH SURE) 18:58  |  Big Sur 05/05/09
      98.   some thoughts 19:08  |  17 05/05/09
      99.   #88 Brian - who is taking land away from Israel3rd try 19:27  |  Labhras 05/05/09
      100.   Re #92 19:34  |  RME 05/05/09
      101.   #99 Lahbras Jerusalem since biblical times was JEWISH 19:43  |  Big Sur 05/05/09
      102.   pigs fly 19:47  |  RME 05/05/09
      103.   Labhras.....Arabs stole a lot of land from Israel! 19:49  |  Maria 05/05/09
      104.   Even Lahbras can learn..... 19:52  |  Big Sur 05/05/09
      105.   Americans want a PA terror state more than Palestninians themselv 19:52  |  zz 05/05/09
      106.   If the Hebrews stayed on their land and obeyed God....this could 19:53  |  MMM 05/05/09
      107.   # 87 jeff 19:57  |  Axel 05/05/09
      108.   Here`s the solution: Give Gaza back to Egypt 19:57  |  MMM 05/05/09
      109.   Interesting and true. ( first try) 20:05  |  Big Sur 05/05/09
      110.   # 96 jeff the mathematician 20:07  |  Axel 05/05/09
      111.   Dont do it Israel 20:16  |  Brian 05/05/09
      112.   Strange tactics! 20:26  |  rial 05/05/09
      113.   Jeff Northridge # 64 I see no insults and no kowtowing 21:23  |  a reader 05/05/09
      114.   Israel 21:46  |  Ellie 05/05/09
      115.   #71 American in NY. Really a very fine post. 23:06  |  Lou Medel 05/05/09
      116.   American in NY 23:57  |  arik 05/05/09
      117.   #64 Jeff Northridge 00:12  |  Chris Linthwaite 06/05/09
      118.   a reader 113 `kowtowing` 00:38  |  Roo 06/05/09
      119.   Gen. Jones 00:40  |  David Zukerman 06/05/09
      120.   Steve on "nice guys." 00:51  |  David Zukerman 06/05/09
      121.   Maiogoro on Obama 00:55  |  David Zukerman 06/05/09
      122.   # 14 00:56  |  ehud 06/05/09
      123.   #77 JEFF NORTHRIDGE 01:01  |  Courcey 06/05/09
      124.   To Jeff Northridge.Brilliant Post,and Truth in Essence. 01:05  |  Whiskey 06/05/09
      125.   # 17 01:07  |  oz 06/05/09
      126.   Obamanation? 01:08  |  David Zukerman 06/05/09
      127.   US Rights to Holy Land 01:10  |  Joe C 06/05/09
      128.   Land for peace 01:15  |  David Zukerman 06/05/09
      129.   # 24 ruby 01:15  |  ehud 06/05/09
      130.   To Matt.Indeed stupid,stupid..I mean Korea is 01:26  |  Whiskey 06/05/09
      131.   #87 Northridge 01:34  |  Courcey 06/05/09
      132.   # 35 01:40  |  udi 06/05/09
      133.   Gen Jack Jones 01:44  |  Paul M Berman 06/05/09
      134.   bus 01:44  |  Muskens 06/05/09
      135.   To Ellie 01:47  |  joan 06/05/09
      136.   maureen ann 01:48  |  oz 06/05/09
      137.   non arab 01:56  |  ehud 06/05/09
      138.   If you don`t like how the NPT is being enforced... 01:57  |  binny 06/05/09
      139.   #38 Maigoro 01:58  |  Jim 06/05/09
      140.   #44 Don Lary, the deocrat 02:11  |  Jim 06/05/09
      141.   pretext 02:26  |  ehud 06/05/09
      142.   #50 Dutch 02:27  |  Jim 06/05/09
      143.   This is all about a GLOBAL GOVERNMENT and it is not about Israel. 02:29  |  now1984is2009 06/05/09
      144.   Obama loves Osama 02:34  |  zizi 06/05/09
      145.   #52 jens 02:37  |  Jim 06/05/09
      146.   justice 02:46  |  Ya`akov Ben-Israel 06/05/09
      147.   RB - You are the disgrace 02:59  |  Obama brings hope! 06/05/09
      148.   Hey you - Ruby 03:02  |  Obama brings hope! 06/05/09
      149.   Ellie - Israeli people are hurting, but they don`t whine 03:17  |  Obama brings hope! 06/05/09
      150.   To Cipora #26 04:52  |  Otto Rand 06/05/09
      151.   We are all having `Fundamental problems` with discourse 04:52  |  William W Haywood 06/05/09
      152.   To Cipora #26 (cont.) 05:07  |  Otto Rand 06/05/09
      153.   Forcing Israel to do what it already has done 05:10  |  MichaelF 06/05/09
      154.   To Brian #111 05:30  |  Otto Rand 06/05/09
      155.   #118, ZIZI 05:32  |  indrajaya 06/05/09
      156.   Arens has an article in this very issue explaining why a 2 state 05:38  |  ks 06/05/09
      157.   thank you gen. james jones; obama`s wisest choice... 05:53  |  eric 06/05/09
      158.   Israel and Jones 06:21  |  martin 06/05/09
      159.   Dave/#5 06:26  |  Deacon2 06/05/09
      160.   Dave/#5 06:51  |  Deacon2 06/05/09
      161.   the most serious dispute in 61 years? so be it then! 07:03  |  eric 06/05/09
      162.   Obama - Let`s Hope He Means Business 08:01  |  Bill 06/05/09
      163.   following Rome`s New World Orders 08:37  |  emerson 06/05/09
      164.   stench from georgetown 09:20  |  agraria 06/05/09
      165.   The two state solution is a fulfillment of the mandate.. 11:12  |  Dutch 06/05/09
      166.   Obama gets tougher with Israel on Palestinians, Iran 12:58  |  Caroline Hope 06/05/09
      167.   President BO 05:31  |  muhammad al Ka-boom 08/05/09
      168.   when will Hussein and his radical cabal get it? 21:51  |  Michaels 11/05/09
      169.   Late arrivals? #77 17:02  |  ebeth 30/05/09
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    hotel Jerusalem
    David Citadel Hotel, come stay at the finest of Jerusalem hotels.
    ISRAEL ARMY SURPLUS STORE
    IDF insignia,Uniforms, Paladium Boots Watches, Israel Army T-shirts & Collectibles
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
     Haaretz Hot Topics
    The Pope in the Holy Land
    Durban II conference
    Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
    Israel vs. Hamas
    Air strike in Sudan
    More Headlines
    17:56 Abbas: U.S. is committed to ending settlement construction
    18:52 Hamas: Abbas mustn't relinquish our rights for a 'U.S. illusion'
    20:51 Israeli Arabs warn against dangers of 'racist legislation'
    17:46 Lebanon on 'full alert' ahead of IDF Home Front Command drill
    21:43 Israel's fourth president Ephraim Katzir dies, aged 93
    18:03 Lebanon charges four with collaborating with Israel
    19:23 Can you tell the difference between an Israeli and a Palestinian?
    20:58 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
    20:50 Germany joins calls for Israel to end settlement construction
    21:06 How did a Cornell professor become the suspect in an anti-Semitic murder?
    17:47 Iran think tank: Ahmadinejad distorting facts about nuclear program
    14:03 Settlers, leftists clash near West Bank village of Safa
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
    | Israel 2009 election results | Makom: Engaging on 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