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Last update - 00:00 04/06/2009
Obama to tell Israel: Form new peace policy by July
By Barak Ravid, Natasha Mozgovaya and Tomer Zarchin, Haaretz Correspondents
Tags: Israel News 

United States President Barack Obama intends to give Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu four to six weeks to provide an "updated position" regarding construction in West Bank settlements and the two-state principle.

Obama made a surprise appearance on Tuesday at a meeting Defense Minister Ehud Barak was holding in Washington, shortly before the U.S. leader was set to leave on a five-day trip to the Middle East.

Obama spoke for about 15 minutes with Barak, who was meeting with National Security Adviser General Jim Jones at the time. While Obama's official schedule did not include a meeting with Barak, he has in the past dropped into other officials' meetings with international figures. Advertisement
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According to an official Israeli source, Obama wants to complete the formulation of a preliminary six-month plan for progress toward a Middle East peace agreement and to present it in July.

The U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, will arrive in Israel next Monday night. He will meet with Netanyahu the day after in a bid to obtain clarifications regarding the U.S. demand to stop construction in the settlements and on the principle of two states for two peoples.

According to the Jerusalem source, Mitchell is expected to seek answers to questions raised during his meeting with the prime minister's advisors last week in London as well as to issues raised by senior administration officials following their meeting with Barak on Monday.

Mitchell is to visit the Palestinian Authority on Wednesday to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Barak and Jones met for more than two hours privately and discussed the settlements controversy. Obama arrived in Riyadh Wednesday, and is expected to continue on to Cairo to deliver a much-anticipated speech Thursday aimed at repairing frayed relations with the Muslim world.

While in Riyadh, Obama is expected ask Saudi King Abdullah to give a green light to other moderate Arab countries, particularly the Gulf States, to take steps toward normalization with Israel, such as the opening of diplomatic missions or public meetings with senior Israeli officials, in exchange for a freeze on settlement construction. It is unclear whether the Saudis will cooperate.

Before Obama left for the Middle East he sent messages to both Israel and the Arab countries via interviews he to the BBC and National Public Radio.

Part of being a good friend is being honest," Obama told NPR regarding relations with Israel. "

"I think there have been times where we are not as honest as we should be about the fact that the current direction, the current trajectory, in the region is profoundly negative, not only for Israeli interests but also U.S. interests," he said.

Obama also said he did not rule out future talks with Hamas, but only if the organization met demands to recognize Israel, disavow violence and honor existing agreements.

Tensions between Israel and the U.S. are making pro-Israel Congress representatives uneasy. Last week 329 representatives sent a letter to Obama outlining the "right way" to peace in the Middle East, calling on Obama to be an honest broker and also a friend to Israel.

Despite tensions over the settlement issue, Israel and the U.S. are to begin high-level consultations next week on the Iranian nuclear program and the dialogue between Washington and Tehran. The Prime Minister's Bureau declined to comment on the consultation.

A government source said that the meeting would be the first of a joint working group on the Iranian issue, decided on during Netanyahu's visit to Washington. The aim of the working group is to coordinate moves on the Iranian nuclear issue and update Israel on U.S. intentions in its dialogue with Iran.

The Israeli delegation to the group is expected to be led by National Security Council head Uzi Arad and is to include officials from the Defense MInistry, the Mossad, Military Intelligence, the Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Commission.

The U.S. team will probably be headed by Deputy National Security Adviser Tom Donilon.

The first meeting is expected to deal with the upcoming elections in Iran and the possible opening of U.S. dialogue with Tehran after a victor is declared.

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman met yesterday in Moscow with Russian President Dimitri Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and stressed the need to stop the Iranian nuclear program.

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  • Key U.S. Jews wary of Netanyahu's unbending policy on settlements
  • GM as parable, and Israel's sudden choice: Obama or Kahane
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      1.   Once Iran becomes nuclear, only then would Israel accept peace 04:40  |  Aounist 03/06/09
      2.   Obama is right. A new policy once and for all. 04:52  |  Tim Hawkins 03/06/09
      3.   US congress joke ! 05:05  |  Wally 03/06/09
      4.   Israel must refuse to receive Mitchel 07:51  |  LL 03/06/09
      5.   The policy of land for peace. 07:53  |  Mario Sala 03/06/09
      6.   The US congress are making a publicity stunt 07:59  |  Sunday 03/06/09
      7.   Netanyahu has six more weeks as PM. 08:00  |  Fortuna Benmayor 03/06/09
      8.   Freezing settlement building would not be a big issue,if Hamas & 08:28  |  Susanna/Shoshana 03/06/09
      9.   AOUNIST Iran said it is Haram to have nukes so they aren`t making 08:38  |  PETER SM 03/06/09
      10.   Amen Tim Hawkins 08:53  |  Eyes wide Open 03/06/09
      11.   What`s in Obama`s cigarettes? 09:03  |  Dave 03/06/09
      12.   Ultimatums on Israel 09:03  |  David 03/06/09
      13.   Issrael tells Obama take a running jump by July 09:14  |  Ray Levitan 03/06/09
      14.   The policy is Land for Peace: 09:31  |  Anti-ballistic 03/06/09
      15.   don`t mess with America kids 09:45  |  stars & stripes 03/06/09
      16.   peace plan 09:47  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 03/06/09
      17.   Peace??????Peace???????Peace????? 09:48  |  D.C.Tapley 03/06/09
      18.   Or what? 09:53  |  J 03/06/09
      19.   #5, Fortuna Benmayor 09:54  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 03/06/09
      20.   peace plan? 09:57  |  Gregor 03/06/09
      21.   Stars and Stripes: Ill drink to that! 10:00  |  Stars and Bars 03/06/09
      22.   On yer bike 10:00  |  Iain 03/06/09
      23.   `netanyahu will fall` it has been decided 10:02  |  Uncle Sam 03/06/09
      24.   Cipora 10:08  |  Ilias 03/06/09
      25.   to No9 10:09  |  GA 03/06/09
      26.   To No10 Peace Plan 10:16  |  GA 03/06/09
      27.   Obama tells 10:19  |  Josiah J. Ben David 03/06/09
      28.   #9 stars &stripes-Alaska going to practice hiding in shelters and 10:19  |  Susanna/Shoshana 03/06/09
      29.   #5 - if there are new elections then Israel will move right! 10:33  |  redbourn 03/06/09
      30.   American Hubris 10:37  |  Benji 03/06/09
      31.   329 letters out of 441 representatives 10:37  |  Gregor 03/06/09
      32.   Let Obama Deliver on Saudi Arabia and Then We`ll Talk 10:41  |  Moshe 03/06/09
      33.   An "honest" friend 10:42  |  Ari 03/06/09
      34.   Oh come on,upon further reflection,if Israel & U.S. are going to 10:43  |  Susanna/Shoshana 03/06/09
      35.   The difference between a leader and a manager 10:50  |  Natallie Durson 03/06/09
      36.   it`s GM part 2 10:51  |  SD 03/06/09
      37.   Why is Obama ignoring the Palestinains? 10:57  |  Yakir 03/06/09
      38.   STARS AN STRIPES 11:04  |  BAR KOCHVA 03/06/09
      39.   Obama Peace Policy 11:09  |  Morris Amsel 03/06/09
      40.   Hamas and Fatah will keep killing each other 11:15  |  talk vs. reality 03/06/09
      41.   OBAMA IS THE MAN 11:22  |  indrajaya 03/06/09
      42.   Aounist 11:26  |  Thinker 03/06/09
      43.   Obama - Don`t try playing poker. 11:26  |  Unchel Ben Joseph 03/06/09
      44.   Naivete is foolish 11:39  |  Leah 03/06/09
      45.   Israel`s coming program 11:44  |  S 03/06/09
      46.   A thing of the past. 11:49  |  Reza 03/06/09
      47.   underneath 11:49  |  oz 03/06/09
      48.   BAR KOCHVA 11:50  |  stars & stripes 03/06/09
      49.   #18 Cipora makes me laugh!!! 11:50  |  Johnboy 03/06/09
      50.   #28 bar kochva 11:51  |  fred 03/06/09
      51.   You got 6 Weeks Netanyaya. 11:52  |  Razi 03/06/09
      52.   President Obama is Israel`s friend 11:58  |  Baruch Gold 03/06/09
      53.   How can SECULAR Israel leaders say what they mean? 11:58  |  never happen 03/06/09
      54.   To Ray Levitan 11:59  |  Anne 03/06/09
      55.   What were the Jews of America thinking of... 12:00  |  Naomi 03/06/09
      56.   to be somebody instead of real nobody then 12:05  |  no expediency 03/06/09
      57.   wake up 12:21  |  ehud 03/06/09
      58.   #39 12:30  |  James 03/06/09
      59.   Israel`s coming program 2nd try 12:43  |  S 03/06/09
      60.   To Naomi/39 "What were the jews..." 12:48  |  Anne 03/06/09
      61.   BAR KOCHVA 12:50  |  stars & stripes 03/06/09
      62.   to Naomi - have you been listening to American Jews recently? 12:51  |  SD 03/06/09
      63.   President Obama, Place conditions on both sides. 12:54  |  Tzfonit 03/06/09
      64.   #28 Ari 12:59  |  Tom 03/06/09
      65.   Israel needs to propose SOMETHING 13:09  |  dyinglikeflies 03/06/09
      66.   Fortuna - Netanyahu has 6 more weeks as PM 13:14  |  Albert Toledano 03/06/09
      67.   Anne if you really are in Israel 13:17  |  Ray Levitan 03/06/09
      68.   #49 Tom 13:21  |  Sally 03/06/09
      69.   Tzfonit place restrictions on both sides 13:22  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 03/06/09
      70.   address Israel`s security concerns Its not only about settlements 13:32  |  get real Obama 03/06/09
      71.   Thanks 13:36  |  Go Israel 03/06/09
      72.   Obama show some tangible results and then we can consider a settl 13:38  |  Jane 03/06/09
      73.   reality keeps getting in the way. 13:40  |  Jane 03/06/09
      74.   An ultimatum delivered to the wrong addres 13:41  |  PARIS 03/06/09
      75.   BAR KOCHVA #33 13:47  |  stars & stripes 03/06/09
      76.   Anne # 38 U.S. Foreign Aid 13:48  |  Jeff Northridge 03/06/09
      77.   srars and stripes 13:58  |  bar kochva 03/06/09
      78.   Sorrry Bush isn`t President 14:03  |  Joe 03/06/09
      79.   TO PA: ` FORM A PEACE POLICY!` 14:11  |  Jeff 03/06/09
      80.   What were they tinking 14:11  |  Joe 03/06/09
      81.   # 60 jeff the economist 14:12  |  Axel 03/06/09
      82.   To 53, 60 14:17  |  Anne 03/06/09
      83.   razi 14:22  |  ehud 03/06/09
      84.   come now bar kochva 14:26  |  stars & stripes 03/06/09
      85.   Israel Go Alone 14:29  |  Eli 03/06/09
      86.   Is Netanyahu boxed in? 14:32  |  Gully Foyle 03/06/09
      87.   #,34 Natallie Durson`s take on business 14:46  |  John Allen 03/06/09
      88.   Jeff Northridge -- US Exports Oil alright? 14:47  |  bam bam 03/06/09
      89.   Is It Too Soon to Speak of the Palestinian Jew? 15:34  |  Reader 03/06/09
      90.   Fortuna:We are not like Colombia run by the drug lords 15:35  |  Arie 03/06/09
      91.   There is no trust 15:36  |  Arie 03/06/09
      92.   LL On The Refusal of Israel to Meet Mitchell 15:37  |  Yaakov Sullivan 03/06/09
      93.   For stars and stripes@84 If America is Rome,what was it before? 15:39  |  JUST ME 03/06/09
      94.   Sally in NY: Good post 15:41  |  Jasper 03/06/09
      95.   Fortuna Benmayor on the Toppling fo the Bibi 15:42  |  Yaakov Sullivan 03/06/09
      96.   obama `s la la land fantasies 15:47  |  Geronimo 03/06/09
      97.   bam bam # 88 Refined Petroleum Products 15:50  |  Jeff Northridge 03/06/09
      98.   The road map is one sided and has no end 15:56  |  Mobius 03/06/09
      99.   Just a distraction on Obama`s part 16:21  |  *BEN JABO 03/06/09
      100.   #93 Just You 16:22  |  stars & stripes 03/06/09
      101.   Obama World President? 16:23  |  Chaim R-B 03/06/09
      102.   John Allen 16:43  |  Natallie Durson 03/06/09
      103.   US Congress and the `right way` to make peace 16:46  |  newageblues 03/06/09
      104.   I wonder who Pres.Obama will disappoint. 17:04  |  Stephen. 03/06/09
      105.   I like your peace plan, Cipora, but put Gilad first. 17:18  |  Fortuna Benmayor 03/06/09
      106.   Indrajaya 17:28  |  Jane 03/06/09
      107.   stars & stripes - Don`t MESS with Israel :) 17:53  |  D 03/06/09
      108.   mr Northridge 97 please leave goalposts alone 17:54  |  bam bam 03/06/09
      109.   indrajaya - Obama can stand on head and wiggle his ears. 17:57  |  Ben 03/06/09
      110.   Bibi`s three year plan. 19:14  |  leoblue 03/06/09
      111.   *BEN JABO # 99 I Agree 19:40  |  Jeff Northridge 03/06/09
      112.   2 state policy now a matter of "U.S. interests" 19:41  |  binny 03/06/09
      113.   Cipora #16 19:50  |  Observer 03/06/09
      114.   44 naivete 20:10  |  Observer 03/06/09
      115.   46 Reza 20:16  |  Observer 03/06/09
      116.   Who exactly does Obama Think he is? 20:19  |  Bob 03/06/09
      117.   #104 Steven I hear Irans new Bomb will reach Switzerland 20:22  |  Big Sur 03/06/09
      118.   Reza # 46 you are wasting your time on the past 20:24  |  American in NY 03/06/09
      119.   Northridge and Jabo on Their Chargers! 20:34  |  Yaakov Sullivan 03/06/09
      120.   Our new policy should be rejection of Two State Final Solution. 20:34  |  Chaim 03/06/09
      121.   You want the US out of Israeli interests? Fine get rid of AIPAC 20:36  |  binny 03/06/09
      122.   From an American -- Get Real People! 20:51  |  Jeff Andrews 03/06/09
      123.   bam bam Enough Already.Yo are getting to be a BIG BORE! 20:52  |  JUST ME 03/06/09
      124.   Barack Obama seems to have an identity crises. 20:57  |  Bob 03/06/09
      125.   Israel picking the wrong fight 20:59  |  David 03/06/09
      126.   Thanks To "HRH" OBAMA, America Is In Hock! 21:01  |  Whiskey/Bravo 03/06/09
      127.   "Radicals" now in charge of Israel 21:05  |  Witness 03/06/09
      128.   To: #121 Witness 21:56  |  Good 03/06/09
      129.   #114, Observer 22:00  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 03/06/09
      130.   Jeff Northridge 22:05  |  Mike from Boston 03/06/09
      131.   Obama must mention Hamas too in Cairo 22:23  |  Tulip 03/06/09
      132.   Stars and Stripes....they`re messed up already! 22:42  |  MMM 03/06/09
      133.   If the US will be bombed 22:45  |  MMM 03/06/09
      134.   Whiskey/Bravo 126 too much whiskey? 01:29  |  L. Inguist 04/06/09
      135.   Israel must keep its nerve & dignity ! 01:37  |  Akram Zekaria 04/06/09
      136.   FOX on the rocks #34 01:40  |  Roo 04/06/09
      137.   WhiskyBravo 01:58  |  Observer 04/06/09
      138.   Geronimo re: Obama 02:02  |  Observer 04/06/09
      139.   Whiskey/Bravo 126 too much whiskey? 02:05  |  L. Inguist 04/06/09
      140.   just me/kathy #123 02:07  |  bam bam 04/06/09
      141.   honesty is the best policy 02:14  |  Mike Levine 04/06/09
      142.   Nuclear parity is the only hope for peace! 02:20  |  atrick 04/06/09
      143.   Obama??? 02:24  |  Michelle 04/06/09
      144.   Witness 02:30  |  Jasper 04/06/09
      145.   Obama the Beast of Revelation 02:40  |  Ralph Williams 04/06/09
      146.   Obama 03:14  |  clif atkin 04/06/09
      147.   28 Susanna/Shoshana - Timing 03:38  |  Mark of Lewiston 04/06/09
      148.   To Ben 03:50  |  r cummings 04/06/09
      149.   obama went right for the jugular 03:54  |  george 04/06/09
      150.   For Cipora # 19 04:08  |  Fortuna Benmayor 04/06/09
      151.   Obama to tell Isreal... 04:22  |  Mike 04/06/09
      152.   The Palestinian Sovereign State Should Not... 04:52  |  Reader 04/06/09
      153.   OBAMA 05:22  |  subee 04/06/09
      154.   Don`t sell Obama short..he knows exactly what he`s doing 05:30  |  Jim Marshall 04/06/09
      155.   re : George from myrtle beach 06:02  |  JTA 04/06/09
      156.   #150, Fortuna Benmayor 07:32  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 04/06/09
      157.   ?NewPeacePolicy? 07:59  |  C.Smith 04/06/09
      158.   #68 Sally NYC. Excellent and intelligent 08:16  |  No Dope 04/06/09
      159.   Basis for Cairo Speech Cannot Satisfy 08:20  |  H.H.M 04/06/09
      160.   Axel, don`t be childish 08:32  |  No Dope 04/06/09
      161.   Obama hasnt even visited Gaza so dont hold your breath 09:35  |  Tcherkessi 04/06/09
      162.   Too many IFs for there to be peace 10:27  |  a wandering Jew 04/06/09
      163.   #150, Fortuna Benmayor 11:10  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 04/06/09
      164.   Cipora Kohn 12:47  |  Mike from Boston 04/06/09
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