Mitchell to U.S. Jews: Peace in the Middle East is possible
At D.C. Jewish day school, Obama's envoy says he won't discount possibility of Hamas one day joining negotiations.
By Natasha Mozgovaya Tags: Barack Obama Middle East peace George Mitchell
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U.S. envoy George Mitchell and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, May 2010 |
| Photo by: Reuters |
U.S. President Barack Obama's special envoy to the Middle East said Monday that he believed Israeli-Palestinian peace was possible and that both sides seem "serious and sincere" about the ongoing proximity negotiations.
When asked at the fifth annual Yitzhak Rabin memorial lecture at the Jewish Primary Day School in Washington whether peace under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government was possible, George Mitchell said:
"Yes I do believe it’s possible. There are some who believe it’s only possible when you have a government from the center to the right - they’ll be able to make steps more far reaching.
"I spent many hours with prime minister I believe he is sincere and I’ve spent many hours with President [Mahmoud] Abbas and I believe he is sincere. Both are serious and sincere and want to make it done."
Nevertheless, Mitchell told the audience that the conflict would not be easy to come by due to the external influences of countries and organizations opposed to seeing a settlement reached.
"There is a deep sense of victimization on all sides," he said. "It;s more complicated in the Middle East because you have external actors – Hamas, Iran, Hezbollah."
However, Mitchell would not discount the possibility of the Islamist Hamas organization adopting a more moderate stance and joining the peace process in the future..
"History is an imperfect guide," he said. There are many examples of those who engaged in violent revolution moderate. You can’t say it will happen ort not, you have to try. We do not intend to relinquish on a democratic principle."
Mitchell also lauded the power of Israel lobbies in the U.S. government as "playing an important role in the open society."
"When people complain to me about the power of AIPAC I tell them: Go create your own lobby," he said.
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USA Jews, with their history of support for social justice within the USA, have the ability to influence a just peace in Israel.
reach an agreement with the Israeli Government on all the core issues, they would agree to a Palestinian referendum vote based on the terms of the agreement. However, the Hamas organization and other factions have to agree to an end of conflict and accept the Israeli state within the Middle Eastern community and possibly formulate an economic union of these states collaborating on furthering their prosperity in the region in addition to peaceful coexistence.
"...Mitchell to U.S. Jews: Peace in the Middle East is possible..." I would rather have the Arabs saying this. Mitchell saying this means nothing.
There cannot be peace without Hamas . And there can never be peace with Hamas . As long as Hamas refuses to accept Israel existance , Abbas cannot seriously negotiate. So unless Hamas changes ,the talks are pointless.
"It's more complicated in the Middle East because you have external actors – Hamas, Iran, Hezbollah." Odd, isn't it, that the USA is missing from that list..... after all, of all the external actors the USA undoubtably has the most impact....