Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., July 05, 2009 Tamuz 13, 5769 | | Israel Time: 16:28 (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
Share |
Last update - 09:29 02/07/2009
'U.S. can't get Arabs to commit to normal Israel ties'
By Barak Ravid and Cnaan Liphshiz
Tags: Arab world, Israel news 

The U.S. administration has not been successful in securing commitments from Arab countries to take steps toward normalizing relations with Israel, a senior source in Jerusalem said Wednesday.

The source said U.S. President Barack Obama's recent meeting with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia did not produce a commitment to encourage the other Arab states to begin normalization.

"In such a situation, the Americans can't continue demanding gestures only from Israel, such as the demand that Israel freeze settlement construction," the source said.
Advertisement
In response, a senior White House source said talks with the Arab states are continuing with the aim of obtaining a commitment to make gestures toward Israel, and there is still hope for progress.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak returned to Israel on Wednesday from a meeting with U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell. A senior White House official confirmed reports that progress was made on the issue of settlements, though no agreement had been reached. He added that similar progress had been made in contacts with Arab countries.

Haaretz has learned that the talks with Mitchell included discussions of a package deal to include a curb on settlement construction. Barak reportedly argued that any steps taken by Israel would have to be accompanied by assurances that the Arab states would also move forward. This would lay the groundwork for resumed talks on a final regional peace agreement.

Within the next two weeks or so, Mitchell is expected to visit Israel to continue talks.

A senior diplomatic source said that even if a meeting between Mitchell and the prime minister doesn't resolve the settlement issue, it will narrow the gap, and the prime minister may request a meeting with Obama in Washington in the coming months to seal an agreement.

Barak noted that if a package deal is reached, Israel might agree to a temporary construction freeze in the settlements, but this would not apply to more than 2,000 housing units already being built.

Also yesterday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the traditional Independence Day reception at the residence of the American ambassador, James Cunningham. Netanyahu spoke of shared values with the United States but did not address the settlement issue. Although many senior Israeli politicians attended the event, turnout was lighter than usual.

By attending, Knesset members ignored the call by Likud MK Danny Danon, who wrote a letter to his parliamentary colleagues this week urging them to boycott the event. He said America "was trying to call into question the State of Israel's independence" by pressuring it to halt construction in the West Bank and agree to territorial concessions to the Palestinians.

A senior diplomat said he was puzzled by the logic behind Danon's proposal. He said that despite any disagreements, the event was meant to honor the American people, not any administration.

In his address, Netanyahu highlighted the democratic traditions of Israel and the United States, which he said united them in the face of tyranny. Referring to Obama's recent speech in Cairo, he noted the president's reference to the unbreakable bond between Israel and the United States.
PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
Refaeli in the nude
24-year-old Israeli supermodel reveals all in a new and artistic promotional video
'Hitler got things done'
Formula One Chief says Saddam was the only one who could control Iraq
  1.   The quicker the Arabs reach some..... 08:54  |  R 02/07/09
  2.   A nice morning 08:57  |  AlfaRu 02/07/09
  3.   Let`s Face It... 09:12  |  Yosemite 02/07/09
  4.   Obama needs to concentrate on one thing at a time 09:30  |  Natallie Durson 02/07/09
  5.   Appeasement doesn`t require mutuality--to the contrary 10:18  |  IW 02/07/09
  6.   It does not make since Israeli demand 10:18  |  JL 02/07/09
  7.   Arabs have not given 10:23  |  Iain 02/07/09
  8.   game 10:28  |  John 02/07/09
  9.   Has anyone in this Israeli govt even read the Road Map? 10:31  |  Johnboy 02/07/09
  10.   wHY should they if the US is forcing the issue with one side only 10:34  |  PETER SM 02/07/09
  11.   Natalie Durson-#-4-The right of return is incompatible with peace 10:38  |  Daniel Leopold 02/07/09
  12.   Reminder 11:16  |  Mountengirl 02/07/09
  13.   It`s not difficult for Arab despots to normalize 11:20  |  Roo 02/07/09
  14.   `U.S. can`t get Arabs to commit to normal Israel ties` 11:41  |  cesare 02/07/09
  15.   What concession have Arabs ever given???? 11:49  |  Paul 02/07/09
  16.   #9 - Why you`re absolutely right Johnboy... 12:03  |  JES 02/07/09
  17.   Daniel Leopold - Right of Return 12:20  |  Natallie Durson 02/07/09
  18.   After you sir 12:23  |  sh 02/07/09
  19.   Johnboy full of excuses as usual 12:55  |  Joe Frazier 02/07/09
  20.   How selective of you Mountengirl as usual 12:56  |  Carla 02/07/09
  21.   the arabs dont want normalization, peace, democracy,,, 13:10  |  slick 02/07/09
  22.   #` to Ms. Durson 13:14  |  nina 02/07/09
  23.   STOPPING ILLEGAL SETTLEMENTS IS NOT A GESTURE 13:15  |  naive 02/07/09
  24.   JES 13:20  |  ophra 02/07/09
  25.   The Pals will get nada 13:23  |  petra 02/07/09
  26.   I agree with Natalie 13:30  |  Nick Ferriman 02/07/09
  27.   durson most of us are hopeful it will all disappear 13:34  |  joy 02/07/09
  28.   what now? 13:35  |  oz 02/07/09
  29.   #9 Johnboy.....love those two words 13:37  |  Lynn 02/07/09
  30.   The Peace process never included Arab responisibilities 13:39  |  Avi 02/07/09
  31.   Johnboy 13:42  |  Freddy 02/07/09
  32.   Well, at least there`s a variety of Nuts in California 14:50  |  Michael 02/07/09
  33.   Lain or "lame" 14:51  |  Michael 02/07/09
  34.   #16 JES, thanks for proving my point. 14:52  |  Johnboy 02/07/09
  35.   to #15 Just let the strongest military win 15:08  |  Rob 02/07/09
  36.   arabs 15:13  |  joe 02/07/09
  37.   To #16 But so is the end to violence 15:13  |  Rob 02/07/09
  38.   Rob you put it in perspective proving my points 15:20  |  Arie 02/07/09
  39.   In diplomacy is tit for tat 17:12  |  charro 02/07/09
  40.   Arab states will exchange ambassadors 17:21  |  jon 02/07/09
  41.   Hey US, what part of normal don`t you understand? 17:44  |  Dan 02/07/09
  42.   It is too early to begin normalization process. 17:52  |  Ibrahim 02/07/09
  43.   Its too early to make concessions 19:00  |  Abraham 02/07/09
  44.   The US embassy belongs in Jerusalem, NOT in Tel Aviv 19:08  |  Akiva P 02/07/09
  45.   #43 19:22  |  jon 02/07/09
  46.   Temporary deals 19:30  |  David 02/07/09
  47.   When the Arab states advance into the 19th century 19:35  |  RfaelMoshe 02/07/09
  48.   Natalie Durson is too much 19:39  |  Alan 02/07/09
  49.   2 wrongs don`t make a right 19:49  |  Ed 02/07/09
  50.   #12 You forgot to mention 20:30  |  John 02/07/09
  51.   Going from A to Z with no stops along the way 20:30  |  Bazmann 02/07/09
  52.   #4: Jews also are Middle East refugees & deserve rights 20:33  |  Aharon 02/07/09
  53.   What a fantastic misstatement of fact 20:36  |  Colin Wright 02/07/09
  54.   #34 Johnny Boy 21:05  |  Ben 02/07/09
  55.   What will a `curb` on settlement construction do? 21:07  |  Mark 02/07/09
  56.   ARAB TIES TO ISRAEL 21:17  |  Rigoletto 02/07/09
  57.   No normalization with occupation and colonization 21:30  |  peacelover 02/07/09
  58.   #4 Is that to talk or chew gum? Israel is the muslim red herring 22:06  |  bernard ross 02/07/09
  59.   #4, Durson 22:51  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 02/07/09
  60.   Israel made a down payment on settlements w. Gaza - reciprocity? 23:24  |  Dr. L. Brnd 02/07/09
  61.   Normal ties with the Palestinians are a required first step 23:27  |  American in NY 02/07/09
  62.   Akiva P # 44 You should read the constitution 23:33  |  American in NY 02/07/09
  63.   Arabs refuse to make any gestures towards peace - breaking news!! 23:35  |  Kenny 02/07/09
  64.   Settements or Peace? 23:43  |  Bloodyscot 02/07/09
  65.   Carla 23:46  |  Arnold 02/07/09
  66.   Are you arguing that the violence has stopped Johnboy? 23:59  |  Peter Williams 02/07/09
  67.   Deal on the table 00:42  |  ff11 03/07/09
  68.   Natallie Durson 00:46  |  alizarin crimson 03/07/09
  69.   Ibrahim-# 42- Just the usual blame game 01:00  |  Daniel Leopold 03/07/09
  70.   Alan, excellent post, it has always been fundamentally about arab 01:15  |  jj 03/07/09
  71.   So Ibrahim or Abraham, who is right? 01:18  |  Solomon 03/07/09
  72.   No normalization with occupation and colonization 01:24  |  A Peacelover extreme 03/07/09
  73.   My Response 01:34  |  Natallie Durson 03/07/09
  74.   @25 petra 02:10  |  neil 03/07/09
  75.   To Ed 02:39  |  Reasoned Thinker 03/07/09
  76.   Enoough of this sham 03:12  |  utagawa 03/07/09
  77.   #4 Durson....Obama isn`t doing very well at anything 03:35  |  Lynn 03/07/09
  78.   Johnboy # 34 Abbas` Battalions (5th try) 04:28  |  Jeff Northridge 03/07/09
  79.   Make moves towards us or we will keep it and take more 04:31  |  jim the mechanic 03/07/09
  80.   ALL OR NOTHING 05:29  |  VIPER 03/07/09
  81.   #54 Yoooh-Hoooh, Ben..... 05:29  |  Johnboy 03/07/09
  82.   #31 There is something wrong with your eyesight, Freddy 05:44  |  Johnboy 03/07/09
  83.   normal Israel ties 05:46  |  D. Hussey 03/07/09
  84.   #29 Lynn, do me a favour and read the Road Map. 05:52  |  Johnboy 03/07/09
  85.   Durson writes good comedy 05:53  |  leoblue 03/07/09
  86.   #4 Durson. Accoring to Durson THE political expert in the whole 06:16  |  Concerned Observer 03/07/09
  87.   What Haaretz considers unspeakable 06:17  |  Mark Lincoln 03/07/09
  88.   And how is this news? Or discussion-worthy? 07:49  |  Anon 03/07/09
  89.   Amazing how 08:10  |  Lola 03/07/09
  90.   As if a small surrounded democracy could have normal relations 08:28  |  Jason 03/07/09
  91.   #68 Lincoln 08:44  |  Joe 03/07/09
  92.   Johnboy pretends Hamas doesn`t exist 12:37  |  Peter Williams 03/07/09
  93.   #65 Johnboy...recognize Israel, denounce terrorism 13:57  |  Lynn 03/07/09
  94.   Rob - it`s amazing 16:48  |  ChanahS 03/07/09
  95.   arabs need the conflict 17:46  |  steve 03/07/09
  96.   In Other News, Cows Moo. 19:49  |  Peter W. 03/07/09
  97.   #72 What **ARE** you talking about, Lynn? 03:27  |  Johnboy 04/07/09
  98.   #59 Jeff, neither you nor Israel are the arbiter of the Road Map 03:40  |  Johnboy 04/07/09
  99.   no. 7 It is not Israels duty to motivate the Arabs! 18:15  |  ameneyman 04/07/09
  100.   no. 9 johnboy 18:23  |  ameneyman 04/07/09
  101.   natalie no. 4 from another californian 20:59  |  ameneyman 04/07/09
  102.   The Real Problem: Always "an elephant in the room." 22:12  |  ameneyman 04/07/09
  103.   no 59. statements full of indefensable flaws in logic 22:52  |  ameneyman 04/07/09
  104.   arab recognition 01:45  |  mike davis 05/07/09
  105.   #66 Read the Road Map, Peter Williams. 01:58  |  Johnboy 05/07/09
  106.   #92 Peter Williams and the amazing Hamas switcheroo 15:43  |  Johnboy 05/07/09
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
More Headlines
14:57 Netanyahu: We delivered consensus on two-state solution
10:04 Report: Saudis to let IDF use airspace to attack Iran
09:07 U.S., Saudis push Syria over IDF withdrawal from Shaba Farms
03:24 Will Israel help NATO police the Mediterranean?
08:05 Palestinians wrong to halt peace talks over settlements issue
14:00 Defendants seek retrial 27 years after the murder
03:40 High hopes for Shalit release, Hamas-Fatah truce prove premature
20:58 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
09:03 Airport etiquette, Britain vs. Israel
14:08 9 Israelis suspected of scamming millions from U.S. pensioners
14:12 First MK to give birth while serving in Knesset has 8th child
08:58 Israel seeks Arab response for settlement building freeze
09:01 Israel braces for influx of new immigrants this summer
04:15 IAF fighter jets and transport planes to get a workout at U.S. bases
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