Obama, Netanyahu: Direct Mideast talks needed as soon as possible

You are not well-informed, but fully prepared to imply you know what you are talking about in order to deceive readers. Abbas is not fully in line with Syria or Lebanon and the claim is absurd. Abbas is fully aligned with the Arab League, and under tremendous pressure and influence by the US to enter into peace talks. Obama has risen to the challenge of Israel’s violation of international laws, more violations of UN resolutions than any country in the world, and in violation of five articles of the 4th Geneva Convention. Each violation of the Convention can be considered a war crime before the International Criminal Court in the Hague. His administration is finally responding to a long smoldering, but rapidly spreading view of senior US military officers, and leaders in the intelligence community, that is is time to reevaluate the US-Israeli relationship, because the relationship is creating strong anti-American animus in the Arab world, that does not serve US national security interests. Regardless of what Abbas asks for, Israel must concede occupied territories to permit the formation of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state. The US needs no Israeli support for the 6th fleet, and our concerns do not center on the eastern Mediterranean. Our military concerns lie in the Persian gulf, and we receive superb intelligence and military support from the UAE. Israel offers nothing there. Your comments about Israeli intelligence must come from your imagination. Most intelligence professionals consider Mossad, small, under-financed (compared to major power services) and second rate. After Iraq invasion, US Senate Intel committee, and the Knesset, stated most of the intel Mossad had passed to US was false. CIA statement was “Israeli intel assistance is sometimes of dubious value...and appalled at lack of quality... Mossad doesn’t know its Arab enemies, Arab political intel is lousy, laughably bad...it was gossip stuff mostly. They often pass faulty, misleading intel.” So Rabbi, leave us be.

This whole article is about the U.S., Israel & PA talking about talking about talking about peace. I did not write that wrong. Cut the double talk and just get to the talks. But for peace's sake, do not give up any Israeli land for peace. Bartering a tangible for an intangible is always foolish for the side that is actually giving something up!

Historically the occupying power makes the concessions: not the oppressed people. Israel is no different than any other occupying power in history. The same as the French in Algeria and Vietnam, the British in Kenya and Cyprus, and the Germans in occupied Europe. So the world wonders what the Palestinians have to offer to Israel as concessions. Could they match the concessions Israel has proffered toward the peace process? The 90 day freeze on settlement building, while continuing to build 3,000 housing units in the West Bank, and to place Jerusalem off limits for any building limits? Continuing the harsh and humiliating occupation in the West Bank? Maintain the near genocidal blockade over Gaza and continue the annexation of Jerusalem: both in violation of the 4th Geneva Convention? Or perhaps the construction of the barrier wall, which the UN ICJ has declared illegal?

Obama to Bibi... make "full use of substantive proximity talks" or there will be a publicly posted, rock bottom price tag that no US based foreign interest lobby group can ever hope to pay.

All the recent news and peace initiatives do make me feel hopeful that there may be a chance for a peaceful resolution until I start thinking how will the PA, Israel and US solve the problem with Hamas if they are against this peace initiative. I am curious to know what the US and the PA have in mind; There has been no politician discussing this issue or at least a solution to Hamas’s involvement with this new peace initiative.

"The truth is we are not in need of negotiations. We are in need of decisions by the Israeli government". There is no other way of putting it so concisely.

"The truth is we are not in need of negotiations. We are in need of decisions by the Israeli government". There is no other way of putting it so concisely.

but as cohabitants in a shared land with equal rights for all. A tough ask now, but, in the end, it is the only solution.

but as cohabitants in a shared land with equal rights for all. A tough ask now, but, in the end, it is the only solution.

One hopes and prays that a breakthrough will occur. However, as an American Jew, I see that Israel's right-wingers are similar to the self-destructive, irrational right-wingers in my country who will do whatever they can to prevent progress. I really see that all this struggle and torment will come to naught unless there is a dramatic turnaround from the Israeli public. One idea that keeps popping up and I'm sure will come up again is the creation of an Palestinian/Israeli state with guarantees for everyone. In other words, rapprochement between Israel and the Arab world. Just imagine the benefits in terms of business, education and culture! We Jews are suppose to be peacemakers and now is the time for positive action.

Hopefully there is a lot going on behind the scene than is reported in any media. It will be a cruel joke to have the hopes of so many pinned to empty words. Let’s hope for the sake of the Israelis, Palestinians and the region that the words are bountiful. It can be called anything, The Road map, Oslo, Camp David, UN242 or The Peoples Peace Proposal just as long as there is a plan. Enough war already!

Yes, Israel holds all the cards except one, and it is time for making decisions. Negotiations have lasted for sixteen years without significant results . The most important decision Israel has to make is wether it will allow the conception of a Palestinian State with East jerusalem as its capital or eventually the conception of a binational state.

While all parties are trying to sound upbeat about these indirect negotiations it really puts us back 17 years - pre Oslo. Abbas is now fully in line with Syria, Lebanon and other enemy countries who use a third party to talk to us. Thanks to President Obama who emboldened Mr. Abbas to be even more stubborn than Arafat, the future of these talk are all but settled. Abbas will ask for everything that Israel cannot give him and will fault Israel. The administration will then too fault Israel and condemn it. Israel will then be blamed for all troubles in the Middle East including the failed Times Square bombing. Finally Israel will see where this administratyion is heading and challenge the US with expelling the 6th fleet from its shores, remove all US military installations in Israel and stop providing the US with the best Middle East intelligence that the US can get. Perhaps, yes perhaps Congress and the Senate will then put a stop to the Admonistration's reckless new Middle East policies.

Wishful thinking. With the current coalition there is no chance. Kadima must be involved.

forbid Jordan to take responsibility to retake all Jordanians "so called-Palestinians" leaving in Israel back to Jordoan they country. Egypt should also be responsible and held accountable by the UN or superpowers when it sends arms through tunnels to Gaza.

Israel gave so much back and paid the price. What will the arabs give in return? so far NOTHING!

Amen.Now is the time to make peace in the broader ME..

we all know that these negotiations , have no good intention from the israeli side ,

The special U.S. Middle East peace envoy, George Mitchell, arrived in Tel Aviv just hours before the telephone conversation to deliberate with leaders in the region and prepare for the upcoming talks. More prodding and pushing by Obama et al that never stops. And it will not be achieved by force assuredly.And Obama's peace efforts received a boost on Saturday when Arab states approved four months of "proximity talks", which were expected to begin in March but suffered a delay due to Israel's announcement of a settlement project in East Jerusalem. Oh yes they would, woulnt’t they just? A typical derisory comment that is unacceptable to Israel.

every week instead of peace initiatives.

Both Netanyahu and Abbas know exactly what the framework of a peace agreement will look like. Abbas gave it his blessing already, Netanyahu will have to make a decision, his right wing coalition will not allow him to make the necessary concessions and will bolt out of the government causing its collapse, the decision he makes will be indicative of how serious he is about reaching a peace agreement. If he elects to have Kadima and Labor join his coalition then there is a glimmer of hope for peace, if he opts to declare new elections, the new government whether it is intransigent right wing or weak center (Kadima and Labor) will not be able to make peace, in this case an imposed solution based on UN resolution 242 and 338 will have to be the solution that brakes this Gordian knot.

Palestinians and israeli need to live in peace as good neighbours.

Last time an Israeli PM talked to mubarak, we had Gaza. As Netanyahou is not known for hi diplomacy towards the arabs, i suspect this is nothing but a smoke screen to inform Egypt of Israel's intent to go after Hizballah and likely Syria. Part of the new mid-east diplomacy.

Bibi looks so happy to talk with the dictator

So much has passed between our two countries,& even though a formal peace treaty was signed. Much love hasn't been lost . One can hope for better days.