Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., July 16, 2009 Tamuz 24, 5769 | | Israel Time: 20:18 (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 Maccabiah Travel Week's End Anglo File
Share |
Last update - 09:14 15/07/2009
Speak to us, Mr. President
By Haaretz Editorial
Tags: Barack Obama, Israel News

Since his election, U.S. President Barack Obama has reiterated his commitment to Israel's security and to advancing peace and normalization between Israel and its Arab neighbors. In his meeting on Monday with leaders of the American Jewish community, Obama promised to work toward achieving a two-state solution and said the creation of a Palestinian state is in Israel's security interest.

During his six months in office, Obama has asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the idea of a Palestinian state and to freeze construction in the settlements. In exchange, he promised to ask the Arab states to take steps toward a normalization of relations with Israel, such as opening diplomatic representations and flight routes. Netanyahu adopted the two-state solution, albeit while specifying certain conditions, but he continues to refuse to stop development in the settlements.

In "closed" talks with associates and foreign visitors, Netanyahu has blasted Obama, asserting that the president's pressure on Israel is aimed at placating the Arabs at Israel's expense. He claimed that Obama is adversely influenced by two of his senior aides, Rahm Emanuel and David Axelrod, whom the prime minister called "self-hating Jews," according to a report in Haaretz by Barak Ravid earlier this month. Netanyahu united Israel's political establishment behind him to support his refusal to halt construction in the settlements, and his position has found public support.
Advertisement
Netanyahu is erring twice: by entering into an unnecessary and harmful conflict with the U.S. administration, and by rejecting Obama's fundamental desire to break through the stalemate in the peace process and complete the process of Israel's acceptance into the Middle East. The election of Obama and his popularity in the Arab world create a unique opportunity for a breakthrough in the peace process, and it would be a shame to miss it.

Now the U.S. administration must convince the Israeli public that it has a friend in the White House, and that the administration's positions correspond with Israel's national interests. The president promised the Jewish leaders that he will speak to the Israelis candidly, "as a true friend," so they will understand where he is coming from. After talking to the Arabs, the Muslims and the Iranians, in speeches and on television, it is only right that Obama address the Israeli public and persuade the people to support reviving the peace process with the Palestinians and Syrians and halting the destructive settlement enterprise in the West Bank.
PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
Bookmark to del.icio.us  
 
Israel's role
Did an Israeli anesthetic cause Michael Jackson's death?
Israel ban upheld
British advertising watchdog says Israel tourism poster cannot be displayed
  1.   To convince me, an Israeli born Jew, Obama will have to first... 08:47  |  Amihai 15/07/09
  2.   It`s not in Israels interest to oppose Obama. 08:57  |  Natallie Durson 15/07/09
  3.   Obama need not tell Israelis that signing peace treaty is good 09:40  |  Yesh Prabhu 15/07/09
  4.   You just don`t get it 10:08  |  Colin Wright 15/07/09
  5.   Good advice 10:31  |  Brendan Holleran 15/07/09
  6.   Hear hear Giving up settlements is win-win. Reverse is disaster 10:45  |  Ivar 15/07/09
  7.   #6 ivar the man in noddy land and devoid of history 11:09  |  vhardman 15/07/09
  8.   #6 ivar the man in noddy land and devoid of history 11:09  |  vhardman 15/07/09
  9.   #6 ivar the man in noddy land and devoid of history 11:09  |  vhardman 15/07/09
  10.   Amichai #1, as a galut-born Jew, almost 6 decades Israeli... 11:33  |  Esther 15/07/09
  11.   Obama`s speaking. Israeli public doesn`t WANT to listen. 11:32  |  Michael 15/07/09
  12.   Amihai`s misunderstandings 11:39  |  Ya`akov 15/07/09
  13.   America`s support for Israel is no longer unconditional. 11:52  |  Solow 15/07/09
  14.   Amihai #1 12:30  |  S 15/07/09
  15.   Bibi, Yvette, their entire coalition of small minds, are drunk... 12:32  |  Esther 15/07/09
  16.   Obama is the "President of platitudes" 12:43  |  Israeli citizen 15/07/09
  17.   Pals+Muslims interested in concessions Obama will force on Israel 12:46  |  Sam 15/07/09
  18.   To Esther 12:59  |  Sam Soul 15/07/09
  19.   And if he does 13:15  |  Skandar 15/07/09
  20.   Obama would have more .. 13:23  |  maoriboy 15/07/09
  21.   # 1 You got it! But remember, Obama is a muslim. 13:31  |  petra 15/07/09
  22.   History of Jewish Monoethism 13:44  |  Robert Norman 15/07/09
  23.   to Natalie Durson 14:38  |  Hilda 15/07/09
  24.   Force Israel to accept UN resolutions and the public will follow 14:39  |  BIG 15/07/09
  25.   ISRAELI PUBLIC.... ? 14:52  |  RAVI 15/07/09
  26.   esther... my sympathies 14:57  |  ravi 15/07/09
  27.   #10 Thank you Esther for the clear message 15:01  |  Ardi 15/07/09
  28.   #9 Is there anybody not knowing Hardman/harris 15:04  |  Ardi 15/07/09
  29.   #13 You`re Right! #14 You`re Showing Your Ignorance 15:09  |  Ed 15/07/09
  30.   #4 colin in never never land sends missives of hate 15:24  |  vhardman 15/07/09
  31.   #13 solow must live in a bubble of his own mind? 15:29  |  v hardman 15/07/09
  32.   to #7 vhardman 15:29  |  Juge 15/07/09
  33.   It isn`t Israel that Obama must sway on peace 15:49  |  Walter 15/07/09
  34.   Mind boggling 15:50  |  Choni Davidowitz 15/07/09
  35.   #21 ardi and the vienna convention on treaties 1967 15:54  |  v hardman 15/07/09
  36.   He does speak to you silly ! 15:57  |  Josi 15/07/09
  37.   #25 the balfour declaration and juge are twins 16:21  |  vhardman 15/07/09
  38.   He is an American President, no need to convince a foreign 16:24  |  American in NY 15/07/09
  39.   v hardman #7,8,9,23,24,27. apparently you permit only yourself... 16:33  |  Esther 15/07/09
  40.   #28 which land is stolen and from whom josi?? 16:37  |  vhardman 15/07/09
  41.   The Obama credo, by Mr. Obama 16:38  |  Christopher 15/07/09
  42.   Better if Arabs sway Israeli public by making peace! 16:40  |  Kenny 15/07/09
  43.   To Natallie (#2). Its not in YOUR interest to take us for fools 16:43  |  flyingdoc57 15/07/09
  44.   Israel`s support for the two-state solution. 16:46  |  sandra chitayat 15/07/09
  45.   How about talking to the Arabs 16:47  |  Gee 15/07/09
  46.   #12 ya`akov 17:00  |  david 15/07/09
  47.   Israel Has Made Its Choice 17:15  |  Yaakov Sullivan 15/07/09
  48.   Optimism and prayer. 17:30  |  Simon 15/07/09
  49.   flyingdoc57 18:01  |  Sterling 15/07/09
  50.   Obama should stay out of it. Peace with Arab Kings, no thanks! 18:01  |  Jason 15/07/09
  51.   America wants to move on...... 18:27  |  U.S. citizen 15/07/09
  52.   Really? 18:34  |  Heinz 15/07/09
  53.   No.37 -vhardman 18:57  |  rwr 15/07/09
  54.   Address Mr. Speaker / Peres 19:05  |  Shaul Ben-Yimini 15/07/09
  55.   #35 The Vienna Convention of Laws an Treaties 19:53  |  Ardi 15/07/09
  56.   To Esther: Israel the Victim? 19:58  |  Otto Rand 15/07/09
  57.   to rwr #53 `vhardman` 20:39  |  Colin Wright 15/07/09
  58.   Mission Impoassible 21:10  |  Mark Lincoln 15/07/09
  59.   come again? 21:17  |  edgar 15/07/09
  60.   Matty Grovels all over the place with rumors... 21:55  |  S 15/07/09
  61.   #55 ardi and the inability to read the convention 22:04  |  v hardman 15/07/09
  62.   #53 the rights of which communities under the ottomans rwwr?? 22:07  |  v hardman 15/07/09
  63.   convincing israelis 22:14  |  dr.joji cherian 15/07/09
  64.   #8 hardmen - San Remo Resolution - 22:20  |  Ice 15/07/09
  65.   Response to Sterling (#49) 23:04  |  flyingdoc57 15/07/09
  66.   Oh yes, Mr. Prsident speak to the Israelis ... 23:17  |  Dutch 15/07/09
  67.   Walter, the Arab states are not obligated to do anything... 00:01  |  BBSNews 16/07/09
  68.   Yes indeed, Otto Rand #56, "A whole apologetic literature"... 00:15  |  Esther 16/07/09
  69.   What has Obama got from Arab states on "normalization"? 02:29  |  Fortuna Benmayor 16/07/09
  70.   Speak to us Mr. Presdient 03:18  |  Albert Linder 16/07/09
  71.   Otto Rand 03:31  |  Albert Linder 16/07/09
  72.   Christian right does not support Obama - that matters 05:09  |  Howard X. Khasi 16/07/09
  73.   Perhaps Israel does not know what it wants... 05:11  |  Smadar 16/07/09
  74.   #1 please explain 06:35  |  michael 16/07/09
  75.   But Fortuna #58, it is only Israel that is settling on Pal land.. 07:44  |  Esther 16/07/09
  76.   #37 rwr" the rights enjoyed" now the reality 07:50  |  v hardman 16/07/09
  77.   v hardman #31 - solow is right 10:08  |  dana 16/07/09
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
12:31 Police slam Haredi leadership for silence in face of Jerusalem riots
13:32 Religious vs. secular / A Mideast spectacle of a different kind
09:00 Defense official: Israel readying for attack on Iran
16:56 Gaza testimonies / Diverting the debate from the real issue
17:26 IDF soldiers give testimonies to counter Gaza war crimes claims
20:12 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the Jewish angle
19:23 World Jewish Congress urges EU to be tougher on Iran
00:15 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
19:12 America's favorite pastime could be heading back to the Holy Land
18:43 Britain backs call for Israeli settlement freeze
09:19 Obama to set binding timetable for Israel-PA talks
15:21 Olmert travel coordinator indicted in Rishon Tours affair
15:38 Iran's nuclear chief steps down without explanation
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