Bill Clinton to Israel: Give Obama a chance
Obama is not the enemy, says former president, reiterating U.S. commitment to Israel's security.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Barack Obama Israel newsFormer U.S. president Bill Clinton on Sunday said that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict could possibly be solved during President Barack Obama's tenure, and urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Obama to maintain a policy of honesty during their private talks with each other.
The visiting former president, who said Saturday that peace could have been achieved had then-prime minister Yitzhak Rabin not been slain, told Israeli journalist Nahum Barnea: "You should not think that President Obama is your enemy."
Clinton also recommended that Netanyahu and Obama act diplomatically in public, so as not to confound the issues in the eyes of the media. Their seemingly shaky relationship thus far should not be seen as any indication of future partnership, he said.
"No American president can serve in good conscience and not be committed to the security of Israel," Clinton said.
He added, however, that the U.S. must be free to express its opinions on the conflict without forcing Jerusalem to accept its every demand.
"As long as you believe that American is with you at some core emotional level, we can have a conversation about anything," Clinton said. "If you ever stop believing that then it does not matter what our position is."
Clinton said that he would not be surprised if Netanyahu's government makes "an agreement or makes a proposal that would be beyond anything anyone expects."
Referring to Israel's willingness to curb settlement growth, he reiterated the praise his wife, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, expressed last month, when she described Israel's gestures as unprecedented.
"This is the first time that any Israeli government has said we will not issue an new permits and not have any new settlements and that should be enough to open the door and start talking," the former president said.
Clinton went on to urge Israel to recognize the importance of Obama being accepted among non-extremists in the Muslim world.
The unbalanced demographics in the region, with higher birth rates among the Palestinians and their growing capability of rocket technology, shows the urgency of achieving peace as soon as possible, he said.
"The trajectory of technology is not your friend.... You need to get this done and you do have partners," Clinton said.
The former president also told the forum that Iran's contentious nuclear program was not in itself the main issue facing the West, but the implications that it would encourage other regional entities to seek nuclear capabilities for themselves.
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Democracy?? What democracy subjugates a whole population , denies them basic human rights of travel, education and the pursuit of happiness.What democracy allows its soldiers to shoot at will at any Palestinian behind the guise of security? What democracy allows its soldiers to break Palestinian bones at will? What democracy allows its snipers to shoot children in the chest in Gaza , or bombard UN centers full of women and children in Cana , Lebanon? Words have lost their meaning in Israel. Israel needs to defend itself from itself . The Palestinians and for that matter the whole Arab World pause no real threat to its existence.
from each other Look at what happened, they split into West Bank & Gaza, both sides intent on taking control of what the other has Suha Arafat is secure, after all her Hubby stole billions and she has it now Abbas will be able to retire in luxury on the money he swiped Yes, they're secure at the expense of their open people
Bill is trying to save her face Clinton failed when he was in office and both Clintons are failing now
ha,ha, no peace no war. No way out.
To answer your question, the US is concerned with Israel's security for the same reason they are concerned with the security of South Korea and Taiwan. These are all democracies bordered by non-democracies trying to destroy them.
How can he repeat this rhettoric with a straight face? This is PIE served up for the US sheep paid for by AIPAC!.....What a sick joke thats being played on the Palestinians!....PEACE EVER?
Bill Clinton does not know anything about Islamist-Jihadism. Like Carter he has sold his soul to the Arab Islamist states by receiving donations from them. Clinton and Obama are in the same boat. They don't know about the toxicity of Islam. They need to be educated by Experts like Geert Wilders, Brigitte Gabriel, Walid Shoebat, Serge Trifkovic, PhD, Ali Sina, Ibn Warraq, etc.
Obama a chance. I think they will regret it even more as the next three years pass. The Boy King is not sure of himself. He makes sweeping promises but hesitates at every turn and has problems making up his mind. Indecision and weakness are never admirable attributes in a leader. Ask Jimmy Carter. Obama will hasten war in the Middle East.
"Why is the US so obsessed with Israeli security." - Ahmet There are three compelling factors involved Ahmet. 1. The American people overwhelmingly support Israel. 2. The republican party is beholden to it's 'base' which supports Israel. 3. The 'Jewish block' is one of the democrat parties most influential constituencies. When most of the people and the only two important parties in democracy support a policy there is no way it will be changed.
Bill Clinton somehow always exposes himself. It's nice that he instructs the Israelis not to think harshly of Obama (aka-his wife's boss), but his recommendation to obama and Netanyahu that they act diplomatically in public, is beyond the pale. These two politicians--and serious representatives of very different positions--can act towards each other as they want. In[articular, if Obama is cool to Netanyahu, as well he should be, I am sure he is doing so on purpose--and on message--and it is a message that needs to be conveyed, however it is delivered.
"Give Obama a chance"....is he really here campaigning for his wife's 2016 election bid or 2012. 'Hang in there Netanyahu and don't think you need to freeze the settlement activities', that is what he just said. It sounds as if his wife isn't privy to Obama's intentions and plans.
Ahmet, US is not obsessed. They understand that if a country is denying history of a country, treathening that country and at the same time building 'peacefull' reactors.US would do the same and attack. Turkey would do the same and attack.
Bill, let me say it the other way around. No one, trying to devide Israel or forcing to give up land, is a friend. And Bill, referring at the Gaza debacle, land for peace, you can see that it is the Palestinians wich won't no peace. Their goal is all of the country.
Obama thinks like any left of center Israeli. So now he's the enemy - as we all are. I'm surprised at the many Israeli pundits pummeling him. If Netanyahu was serious he could freeze all settlement activity for 6 months. Good grief we've been doing the thing for 40 years now-what's 6 months to put the Pals. to the test? Back to Obama and the lefties. One of the biggest "traitors"is now the darling of all Israel. The guy who couldn't talk at election rallies in K. Shmona and Beit Shemesh.today is President of Israel, Shimon Peres. I believe his thinking in similar to Obama's.
Ahmet, US is committed to Israeli security is not because of any Jews or Jewish lobby. To get an answer you need to go beyond New York or SF or LA. Go to Alabama, Texas, or anywhere in so called "Bible Belt" of America. Those people aren't Jews and they are over 30% and growing. I live in Canada and I used to work in Houston, TX several years ago. I told them that Canadian government at the time voted often against Israel at UN. I was advised by my US co-workers to leave Canada immediately and move to the States. Those are ordinary Americans, also from different racial and cultural backgrounds. Also regarding population growth. There is one group which has the most growth of all in the Middle East. They are Jewish Haredim - ultra-orthodox. To get agreement with those dudes would be 100% impossible for ANY arab leaders. Instead of UN declarations or resolutions they will show you Torah and to whom this land should belong according to that sacred book. Do you understand what I mean?
Palestinians on the other hand are dependent on international community. Its not an existential threat.Israel knows this and has powerful lobbies in washington. Hence they act whatever the way they want. But has it brought an peace? How long will Israel's policies continue?
"You should not think that President Obama is your enemy." - Willie Clinton You must be inhaling Bill. Israel is absolutely certain Obama is it's enemy and totally dedicated to destroying his presidency. i hear your wife is going to run for Governor of NY. Good Idea.
is suddenly back in the news. I was under the impression that Hilary was presently the one in charge. No doubt she is keeping her eyes pinned to his every movement. She won't take a chance with another Monica!
Bushcorp's unprecedented corporate greed and bellicose adventures ran my country into the ground. Obama is mopping up the criminal previous administration's mess.
Obama may not be an enemy, but nor is he a freind. And that matters in this day and age. He has no depth of affinity or understanding of Jewish heritage and being. He is more interested in currying favor with the Muslim world, which fits neatly into his ideologically driven world view.
Why is the US so obsessed with Israeli security. They keep reiterating the unshakable bond and how the US will never let any harm to Israel.If their werent those powerful lobbies likie Aipac, would it still be the case? And clinton mentioned the trajectory of technolgy. He is right. Demographically and technologically the palestinians and arab neighbours will get stronger and will eventually possess weapons that will severely harm Israel. Is Israel going to continously carry out military actions against its neighbours whenever they build a nuclear plant or acquire powerful weapons? How long can this Israeli policy continue for? And the Goldstone report will now make Israel think twice when it carries out militray operatins in the future.If Israelis continue to vote for right wing fanatics then their future is bleak, maybe not in the near future but long term for sure.
, it's called the Midas touch I believe.
He is destroying America from the inside out.Clinton should leave Israel alone and maybe come back to the US and help fix the economy.
"higher birth rates among the Palestinians and their growing capability of rocket technology, shows the urgency of achieving peace as soon as possible" If such is the threat then one has a choice of suicide or expeling the threat. No amount of rationalisation can convince anyone that suicide is better than expelling the threat.
Israel must understand its a secure country...