Obama: Netanyahu willingness to freeze settlements is promising

American people are losing their homes, their jobs, their business...America is in a recession, people are really suffering...yet theres always 3bn for Israel. 3bn for weapons..and still many Americans struggle with poverty...thanks god im German!!!!!!

It is an "excuse" to give every one a chance to make a deal. As the US has reiterated its negative feelings for Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria, and others; the sides are drawn for another potential conflict. Maybe Syria really does have Scuds?

They just pocket it with a snicker and press on business as usual. I wondered why Bibi was smiling so much while in the U.S. The only way to get it to sit up and take notice - and to seriously negotiate a settlement with the Palestinians - is to present it with a list of perks it's already getting...to be discontinued one by one as long as it continues to maintain its obstacles to the progress of the negotiations - specifically its settlement building and the forestalling of discussion over final borders. This "reward" system for short term goals will net absolutely nothing!

Get US trade, Get US off Israel's back for an extension after 90 days and forces the US to block any Pal unilateral move to become a state. Israel can just sit back and not make peace and after 90 days continue to steal Pal lands. And then the US won't be able to say a thing.

Of what? A ninety days lull in the dispossessions & land theft? Only the most biased could this see this as promising, on any other level it is nothing than a more than a compromised temporary and partial zero sum calculation. With no promised of end, except in its continuation either fast or slow? Wake up!

It is a certainty that in the not too distant future Iran will order Hizbollah to attack Tel Aviv with the 1000s of missiles that the brilliant and beautiful former FM Tzipila swore that the UN would prevent from reaching them. There will be hundreds of causalities, which will cause Israel to respond (God forbid) disproportionately, because a causality in Tel Aviv is worth at least 100 in Sederot. When the UN condemns us and Reuters will show 100s of mangled (Photoshopped) Lebanese Muslim bodies, Obama and his State Dept will not be able to restrain themselves from lecturing and condemning Israel. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool - as is Bibi.

Obama has made generous use of the carrot to get Netenyahu into extending the freeze for 90 days. Perhaps that will produce a deal on borders. If it does not, it will probably mean that Obama is all out of carrots and will be left with sticks. . I wonder if that level of reality has any impact on Israeli negotiation. It's hard to believe that it will affect the religiklus right, but I would think it would affect a realpolitic guy like Netenyahu.

US taxpayers are so proud and happy to be of service.

The US undertaking not to request a further extension of the settlement freeze, and to veto any attempt by the Palestinians to win UN recognition of their state unilaterally, is are both absolute guarantees that the "peace talks" will fail. The US has left the Palestinians with nothing with which to bargain. The US has loaded the dice and stacked the deck, and can no longer claim to be an honest broker - if they ever really intended to sell such an obvious farce.

Al Quds (jurusalem) belongs to Everyone Equally and should be under binational administration based on mutual dependance. The Obama administration has stressed that a new palestinian state will be based on the 67 border with "agreed" land swaps. The only way for Israel to allow their palestinian counterparts to agree on the jurusalem issue is to provide both land and political incentives in and around that jurisdiction. The current parasitic environment Israel provides to the palestinians can not be alleviated by shifting to a commensual relationship...mutualism is key for this sacred land. Both sides must conceive a long term non-threatening agreement on the heart of this already fragile peace deal.

How can the sale of further war planes by the U.S. to Israel resolve the problem of Jewish settlements in Jerusalem and the the ultimate security of 2 states? It seems the agenda is determined by US military sales rather than progressive political accord between the Knesset and the Palestinian parliamentary system. The only way to resolve the settlement issue is through the sanctification of Jerusalem as international heritage transcending any one faith or political designation. Further US war planes as a trade off to Israel to hold back on settlements doesn't consructively address the root causes of the issue, and would exacerbate the problem.

Netenyahu's willingness is absolutely disgusting, putrid, horrible. He should be thrown in jail as a thief.

Ninety days is nothing to Bibi. He will stall and obfuscate just as he has been doing. Perhaps Obama will lose in 2012 and Israel will be giddy again. Hey, it has Cantor now, who will lead the charge. He and the other neo-cons care more for Israel than their own country. Shameful.

Absolutely correct Frank. The US has turned it's back on any semblance of morality or law, even that meekly outlined in its own foreign policy.So, what will come of this? It's depressingly obvious I'm afraid. Israel will over these 3 months refuse to deal with issues such as borders instead focusing on 'security' et al insisting that, for example, they will station troops in the Jordan Valley and any new Palestinian state will be totally unable to manage its own security, water, airspace etc etc ....... all absolutely impossible to agree with the Pal's. The outcome = nothings changed but the US is obligated to continue to provide cover and money. Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic. Whatever happened to Obama's opening cry of "whomever hinders peace talks will be punished" ? Hahahahaha .... more pathos.

Lands are already surrendered already. It's easier to take on settlers than the enemies. Expediency has won out. As the wisest sage of all remarked, "the beginning of retreat is surrender".

What's not to like about the deal? Israel digs in it's heels, and the US lays gifts at it's feet. Wow.

What! Neville Chamberlain is back??! "Boogie" Ya'alon is right: this is a trap to ensnare Israel into an untenable position. Appeasement begets history. And the incumbent of the Oval Office is NOT Israel's friend. Quite the contrary. Ditto the PA. PM Netanyahu: Wake up from your torpor. Get a large cup of extra strong coffee.

Obamas plans are worse than doing nothing. Every time he has approached the "peace process", such as it is, he has screwed it up worse than it was before. This has taken really some great effort, because the peace process has never, even for one moment, been in good shape. Obama will have taken a peace process that was dead in the water, and make it deader. I didn't even think this was possible. The big question now is what will he do with two more years. Can he screw it up even more?

That's a billion a month or $33.3 million per day. Lets just pay that amount to every member of the pro-Israel lobby in Washington D.C. for the rest of their lives, provided they force Israel to accept a real two-state solution. It would be a lot cheaper.

are being so blindly generous to this rogue state? It's a simple question. Can anyone elaborate? I really want to try to understand the justification for America's and the American people's continued support for state terrorism and defiance of both International and Humanitarian law.

History has shown us that giving freebies to Israel does bring a return. What it brings is the expectation of continued freebies. Now America, rolling in debt, is making long term payments to Israel as if it is a loan payment. If you wonder where Israelis get their sense of entitlement, look no further than the American government.

Temporary, Smemporary. This means nothing to the cause of the Palestinian homeland and will simply serve as a barganing chip for Netanyahu - just one more pause in the ever exapanding Zionist quest for "greater Israel". If the West is truely simpathetic to the Palestinian cause, it simply needs to adhere to a South African type boycott of Israel - lets do that and see how quickly the flag of Palestine will fly over Jerusalem.

For 90 days freeze, that does not even include East Jerusalem, Netnayahu gets $2.75 Billions drawn from grants, which means funds will not be paid back and an additional $3 Billion sale which will be a forgiven debt. What if Netanyahu does not cooperate with drawing final borders between Israel and the future Palestinian state, during the90 days freeze? Or he drags his feet, lets the freeze expire and resume building full force, while making no concessions? Then it is reasonable to conclude that $5.75 Billion of American Tax payers money will go to the wind. What if All works well, and Netanyahu surprises us with a peace accord signed with the Pals. What would be his price tag for that? Shas , said already they will not agree to the proposed deal, but the deal is also being rewritten to accomodate them, as well as accommodate Liberman's party "Yesrael Beiteino."

good old bibi has not kept one of his promises. at some point it must become apparent to israelis and usa alike, that this guy just lies and goes his own way. once this radical zionist gets everything that he wants he will sit back and guess what: he will blame everyone else for any failure of the so called peace process. we israeli tax payers, plus the american patsys will pay the whole cost. what a joke we have become in the eyes of the world.

there's an old saying, why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free? obama's giving everything he has to bibi NOW. bibi will have no reason to continue the freeze after 3 months. the palestinian statehood idea is already up in the air, since more west bank land is now officially owned by settlers than palestinians (despite the fact that palestinians make up far more of the population). obama is a fool and this short-sighted "trade" shows why america has become a laughingstock.

Talks will resume, they will get nowhere, then at the end of the three months, settlement construction will resume and Bibi will pocket his goodies - including an end to any more freezes. This is the craziest thing I've heard for a long time.

The fact that this freeze will result in borders... The fact that there will be a pal state but it wont encompass all of Historical palestine... The fact that once there is a state called Palestine on the Map that most of the world will stop carring about thier additional territorial claims... The fact that once there is a pal state all of a sudden the money well will run dry up... The pals have fought for 40 plus years for self determination and now thats its on thier door step they are scared of what comes next...

freeze should start from Jerusalem! The Palestinian leader who accepts such a deal is not born yet. Go play away Obama with your boyfriend Netanyahu

This is diplomacy at its grossest. Palestinians lose either way. This kind of peace making belongs in the sewer.

A temporary partial freeze is simply a licence to continue the occupation; ongoing US support is part of the problem here, not the solution.

For higher stakes,it is incumbent on Netanyahu & his government to accept the 3-month freeze.

I think we should hold issue of unilateral declaration of Pal state as bargaining chip. 3-month freeze for it is cheap!

israel can gain alot by have peace treaty with palestinians. it will open door for full economic relations with all arab countries. Israel should utilize this. sign treaty today and get the rest by economics

With the US facing bankruptcy in the wake of the economic crisis and in light of recent elections. Israel accepting this "package" could finish off the US government. Some members-elect of the next Congress have not committed to keeping the US solvent.

Just as Strictly Frank said, and Logios is also right that Obama and his team are rank novices. These are commitments that tie the US for who knows how long, all for a further three months of a pitiful peace process. And the offer was made without consulatation with Abbas; how arrogant. This is the world we live in, and Obama is exposed for the fraud he is on this issue. Both Israel and the US have no interest in justice but only in their "interests", and no foresight to see what this will do to their future; it only stiffens the resistance and "terrorists" because it strengthens the odium they are held in already.

On what they really want in return for full peace and an end to all further demands

This freeze should be more palatable, since it doesn't include Israel's capital city. I hope the Palestinians act immediately, rather than waiting until this one is about to expire.

Shas has the power to veto the new "freeze" They must learn to whats right for the Jewish people not what is good for their pockets. As Gen Yalon so aptly put it " Israel must not fall for this honey trap." Neither must Shas.

Why isn't the American embassy located in Jerusalem? This is because the international community, including America, recognizes that jerusalem is disputed territory and do not recognize it as Israels capitol. Unless Obama plans on changing this, he should reinforce Americas long time position by not separating East Jerusalem from the rest of the occupied territories in his Israel leaning deals. Obama has made such a mess of the peace process it is hard to understand how he found a way to make it worse, but he seems to have found a way.

and many other states > iraq and afghanistan are close behind israel had betterlearn the lesson before it also succumbs to disaster !

What a pathetic clown Obama is. What a grotesque, monstrous, buffoonish excuse for a human being. And worse, a betrayer. This cave-in to Lieberman and Netanyahu is a betrayal of the Israeli people as well as the Palestinians. The Israeli people will pay a high price for the expansion of the settlements. Peace is possible. The Palestinian, Arab and Islamic hands are still outstretched for peace. Even Hamas and Iran will live in peace with Israel if Israel withdraws from the occupied territories. By expanding the settlements, Obama and Netanyahu are spitting in the hands that are offering peace. And never forget that even if there is another war, peace will still be possible. The question is not whether peace is possible. It is how much blood will be shed before you choose to accept it. History shows us that it is never too late for peace. You can have peace now, or you can have peace a few years from now and pay a much higher price for it. www.kibush.co.il

A strong leader must place his country above all others, especially a state that is committing land theft and continuing an illegal occupation. Israel keeps spitting on the POTUS, slapping him in the face, mocking him. I sincerely believe that the POTUS wants to be Jesus Christ.

that's not a good sign for peace talks

That is something which really deserves a huge material reward from Uncle Sam! US taxpayers are so proud and happy to be $crewed again by Mr. Netanyahu.

Israel should freeze settlement construction (as it did earlier) for as long as it takes to agree with the Palestinians on the border in WB. (Jerusalem may be excluded at this stage.) The two sides will have an incentive to hurry up: The Palestinians, because they want their state, and Israel, because the settlers will be pushing to build. Once the border is known, the settlers can build in the area designated for Israel. There ought to have been no incentives for Israel to follow international law. It is a bad international precedent.

Why does this stop not include East Jerusalem? Gaza? And what did US gave this spoiled state in return? some UN vetoes? Pathethic!

What? You want the USA to support your country for decades to come? I say dump them , let them find another friend to spit on.

Story of Joseph brothers selling him into slavery must be true ,their descendants now rule Israel

There is no law that says Israel must always be bribed while Arab cooperation is taken for granted. Israelis are always calling themselves an ally of America and referring to how valuable Israel is to America. These claims never go beyond generalities. There are never any specifics because none exist. Being an "ally" of Israel means that you are responsible for supporting Israel I guess. No wonder Israel has so few allies.

If the US had offered the same stuff to Abbas the Palestinians would have negotiated even with building continuing. But then America would have actually been an unbiased mediator, instead of a stooge for Israel.

Jerusalem must be a shared city under mutually agreed upon borders. The fake Archeology that justifies the displacement of the residents of East Jerusalem must be addressed by powers higher than hack mayor and paid for judges who are now in posiions of authority.

Saddly, you not a president material.....

In exchange for a mere three month extension to a freeze on some of the settlements, the Israelis have the ability to continue their occupation of Palestinian lands forever with the support of a US Veto at the UN. If Israel wanted peace, it would have agreed to the freeze without the ridiculous bribe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2gYnM2kgAM

That the Soros puppet Obama used the same mosque in Indonesia to attack Israel as Ahmadinejad used to deny the Shoah!

Don't worry Obama, Bibi will do his best as long as Israel gets something in return from US!

What a deal. It is offical now, the USA is Israel's lap dog. China owns our debt and Israel owns are government.

Israel has only one task to perform in this peace process, and that is to withdraw permanently from W.Bank and E.Jerusalem to allow a Pal state to be created. Temporary freezes are not good enough- eventually these settlements will be deserted by their inhabitants, what's the point of constructing more of them unless Israel intends to confiscate Pal land? Obama you're a disgrace...a weakling who is now vulnerable following the defeat at the mid-term elections.

None of the leading members of the Obama administration had any experience in foreign policy, first and foremost Obama himself. It behooves a novice president to appoint at least one expert to his foreign policy team, but he appointed none (probably because he did not appreciate diplomatic complexities). Hillary is no expert, the Secretary of Defense Gates does not get involved, and the National Security Advisor was a General who could organize the operation but with no ideas. V.P. Biden had experience as a senator, but he is a lightweight. Compare this situation to Nixon and Ford who had Kissinger, and Carter employed Brzezinski. Both advisors brought "foreign" successes to their masters. It seems that the only "thinker" in the ME team of this administration is Denis Ross, an advisor of Obama. Whoever read Ross' book on the ME realizes that he is a very skillful negotiator, who comes up with bridging proposals even in tough cases. But he is not a strong man, and may not know how to use the "big stick". Ross might be the one responsible for the latest ridiculously generous "package" of incentives for a THREE months freeze of construction which is not even sufficient. I did not take into account that Ross is a Zionist Jew.

My suggestion is that the Palestinian should offer Obama to not demand a freeze for 3 months. In return, the US should promise not to demand it again from them, to agree not to veto a Palestinian state resolution in the UNSC, and to give them a fraction of the monetary benefits offered to Israel. This will constitute a double victory for the Palestinians: Israel will not receive free gifts and Netanyahu will look like a loser, plus actual benefits for the PA. Much gain for a cheap price.