George Mitchell: U.S. committed to Israel security, Palestinian state
U.S. Mideast envoy to Jewish groups: Settlements are an important issue, but not the only issue.
By Natasha Mozgovaya Tags: George Mitchell Israel newsOn the eve of his second visit to the Middle East this weekend, the U.S. administration's special envoy to the region George Mitchell told the heads of several U.S. Jewish groups on Thursday that the U.S. was committed both to Israel's security and to the establishment of a Palestinian state and that though the issue of Israeli settlements comes up in every conversation with Arab leaders, "it is not the only issue."
Among the participants in the conference call with Mitchell were Malcolm Hoenlein, the executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations; UJC representative rabbi Steve Gutow, executive director of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs; Ira Forman, Executive Director of the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC), representatives of J Street, Americans for Peace Now and others.
The U.S. envoy stressed that striking economic peace between Israel and the Palestinians, without diplomatic efforts, would not succeed, explaining that diplomatic and economic efforts "must be parallel, not sequential. You can't have economic development when you're shutting the door in the face of any diplomatic development."
"We had 700 days of failure in Northern Ireland [where Mitchell served as a central negotiator] and one day of success. I cannot guarantee you a result, but I can guarantee you an effort," he said, adding that "we have a firm and unshakable commitment to the security of the State of Israel, and a commitment to seek a lasting peace based on a two-state solution."
Mitchell announced that though he has no intention of postponing his planned trip to the region, he also plans to attend the March 2 Gaza Donors Conference in Cairo together with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, for whom the trip would mark the first visit to the region in her current capacity.
The U.S. administration is waiting to see how the results of Israel's recent elections will take shape, Mitchell said, adding that when a new coalition emerges in Israel "we'll take up a full range of issues."
The Mideast envoy told the Jewish group leaders that on his way back from his first visit to the region, he was struck while reading the "Mitchell Report" he had written on the Middle East eight years ago how much has changed in that time. For instance, he said, Iran was not mentioned in that document, but the country was brought up in the "first sentence" of his initial meetings with every leader in the region. Today, he said, all the conflicts in the region are viewed through the Iran prism, and the U.S. administration will devise a "coordinated strategy that will take into account regional leaders concerns regarding Iran."
Ira Forman of NJDC said after the conference call: "Clearly they wanted to create an impression that this administration is really serious about an input from their constituency groups. I was impressed with their openness. He was comfortable with the role of the diplomat, he knew the politics of the region and he said more than once that two principles that this administration was talking about the unshakable firm commitment to peace process that ends up in a two state solution."
Ori Nir, the spokesman for Americans for Peace Now, voiced satisfaction over the the U.S. administration's frankness with the pro-Israel community in the U.S., saying "Mitchell's positive, hope-driven attitude must be commended."
"[U.S. President Barack] Obama's administration expects the incoming Israeli administration to abandon the campaign slogans and roll up its sleeves in order to seriously operate on the economic and diplomatic planes simultaneously," he said.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
Natasha Mozgovaya: The political science department at La Salle is exploring the option of developing a program in Middle East studies and I am participating in a project that is part of that effort. I plan to visit Israel and some other countries in Middle East in early March. The purpose of my research project: ---do you expect any major changes in America?s policy vis-à-vis problems in the Middle East as a result of Obama?s victory in the presidential election. My plan is to interview individuals here and abroad to explore their views on anticipated changes, if any. Is there any possibility of meeting you to learn your thoughts on this subject. In addition to the La Salle project I plan to write a non-partisan scholarly paper (book) on my findings. Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely, Kenneth L. Hill
What a cruel joke! Israel pretends to talk ceasefire, peace, two state solution, etc., whatever the topic du jour happens to be, but as always she speaks with a forked tongue. I hope no one out there really thinks Israel, and the majority of Israelis based on the polls, give a fig about the Palestinians or a Palestinian state. Israel has consistently followed a transparent game plan, namely to keep the world distracted with sham peace talks that go on and on while stealing as much land as they can. And hey, it is working, so don't expect them to do anything except keep up the charade until there is no land left to talk about and the Palestinians are in a perpetual state of starvation and despair. And Mitchell will play right along.
...U.S. committed to Israel security, Palestinian state... I remind Mr.Mitchell about something he already knew: that this conflict wasn't similar with the conflict between Great Britain and the Irish. This is the mother of all conflicts on the face of the earth.
By stating that the settlements are not the only issue, George Mitchell seems to be minimizing the importance of the issue. It's not the only issue, of course, but it is certainly the central issue. Without addressing the question of the ever expanding settlements, there can never be peace in the region, nor can the state of Palestine be created on a string of broken, non-contiguous, walled-off pieces of lands. His repeated assurances of US's commitment to Israel's security and its right to exist, without mentioning even once Palestinians' security and their right to exist are quite startling. I am not convinced that he can be an unbiased arbiter of the Middle East conflict. He is too obsequious for that, and much too concerned about pleasing the politically powerful Israeli lobby.
The emergence of Iran as a major player shows how the Iraq war has had massive unintended negative consequences. We created this situation by removing Iraq from the equation. Massive mistake.
What's up with the night of the living dead doll cartoon? I really like it!
It's time for Arabs, Gazans, and the squatters on the Left Bank to pay reparations to Israel for the innumerable wars, attacks, bombings, and random acts of terrorism they have perpetrated on the citizens of Israel. Enough is enough!
Is this removal of the road block coincidental to the visit by Mitchell and what he had to say about the settlements on Thursday... this article doesn't mention the roadblock or its purpose.
"The U.S. envoy stressed that striking economic peace between Israel and the Palestinians, without diplomatic efforts, would not succeed" Gosh! I wonder whose Bright Idea that envoy just took aim at? Anyone know? Because whoever it is must be aware that the USA is telling him Loud and Clear that this is one Pig that is never going to get off the ground. Mitchell "stressed" this, did he? That's diplomatic-speak for "it ain't gonna happen, wise guy".
If the reaction to every Gazan "incident" is to shtub more $$$ to Gazans,then how do you encourage them to work for a living? Its sick. The only employment opportunity is to run up and down the streets in Demos and funerals and Hamas activities for the men, and multiple motherhood for women (in marriage of course)
OK, if I am not in Sderot, I have no right to speak. Come on. Let's get real. If you can't sense that neither side is wholly right in this bitter dispute, you should leave the field. Israel security is important, of course, but so is Palestinian security. Israel is the overwhelmingly superior power which puts the Palestinians at exceptional risk, fed into by a kind of blood lust from some of the correspondents to Haaretz. The Settlements are destroying any chance for a solution. They certainly have soured me on the State of Israel. I think the times they are a changing, Israel. Feel the cold. You have earned it. Netanyatu will finish the job.
...there should be debate on this thread as to the make up of the group Mitchell addressed. A major portion of American Jews were not represented. Obama's (Mitchells) audience is a parade of Left Leaning apologists. (If I missed qn AIPAC here or a RJC there then I apologize.) But, I make a point that it is unfair (and really disgusting) how these left leaning Jewish groups preach about "tough love for Israel" from the comfort of their cushy lives in NYC or wherever USA. Post my other posts please.
Ali named his name after Ali Baba or was it Ali G? I cannot recall. However, that is not the point the real point is that Dr.Goldstein was a good man (despite the lies) and I thank you for the comparison.
...or more exactly, A Jewish State. Is any part of Israel not a 'settlement'. You'll respond yes but what about after the "Right of Return" is exercised? Then every Jewish town in Israel will be a settlement. What then?
Jews would be outnumbered, outvoted, crowded out and the country lost. A marvelous suggestion. Israelis should jump for joy. Bravo, Meir, a profound thought.
When writing to express oneself in civlized company, it is best to actually make a reasoned statement, instead of name-calling. Baruch Gold advanced an argument concerning the settlements; you reponded with nonsense about the similarity between his name and that of another unrelated person. Why would anyone listen to your point? Try again.
"George Mitchell: U.S. committed to Israel security, Palestinian state" ... whatabout Palestinian security? Or is that ofcourse not important?
Let it be knwon that Baruch Goldstein was the first 'suicide bomber' after OSLO was signed and killed many people praying in a mosque in Hebron. Anyone who identifies with this man supports terrorism, that is if in your view killing gentiles is ok or not. Hey, they might not be people right?
The continued existence of the settlements in the heartland of Palestine will kill any prospect of a peace settlement. There can be either peace or settlements, the two can't coexist.
The first issue is the fact that the Arabs are still demanding the destruction of Israel as a condition. The is something neither side called for in Northern Ireland. Try getting that off the table FISRT. Another issue is the fact that the Arabs have NEVER I do mean NEVER fulfilled any of their obligations. I'll bet Senator Mitchell never brings that subject up. Another issue is the Arab demand for immunity for all of their war-crimes. Will you address that? I doubt it! Try those issues on for size.
The world has changed since 1948. The vast majority of Palestinians, as well as Arab states, accept the reality of Israel, and know its not going anywhere. The settlements are the issue - its theft of private land, and the existence of settlements denies Palestinians the same rights to sovreignty that Israelis demand. SInce in the eyes of Hebron settlers Arabs are not humans, this argument is of course irelevant. I say keep the settlements, expand them, but give Paslestinians the right to vote.
Arabs before any settlements . Any normal thinking person can see it . Arabs will never tolerate a Jewish state in the Middle east , unless they are forced to . It is not the settlements , it is Israel , stupid .
How naive of Mitchell to think that Settlements are even remotely an issue. This is only the current Arab issue but do not assume that any truth needs to be related to it. Recall back in 1964 when the PLO was formed to liberate what? The West Bank from Jordan? Gaza from Egypt or Israel from Israel???
I cannot *wait* for Bibi as PM in a narrow right coalition to butt up against Mitchell. It's going to be an epic battle.