Obama to UN: Israel, PA must launch peace talks 'without preconditions'
'I will not waiver in my pursuit of peace in Middle East,' U.S. president told UN General Assembly.
By Natasha Mozgovaya Haaretz Service, Agencies Tags: UN Barack Obama Israel newsOne day after a tripartite summit with Israeli and Palestinian leaders yielded no tangible results, United States President Barack Obama called on Wednesday for the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks "without preconditions."
Obama told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday that he was dissatisfied with their recent foot-dragging on getting Israeli-Palestinian talks restarted.
A senior U.S. administration source Tuesday told Haaretz that "during the tripartite meeting Obama strongly expressed his impatience."
The source said the meeting was "businesslike" but not cordial. Netanyahu and Abbas voiced their opinions but did not attack.
"The time has come to re-launch negotiations - without preconditions - that address the permanent-status issues: security for Israelis and Palestinians; borders, refugees and Jerusalem," Obama said in his first address to the world body since assuming office in January.
"The goal is clear: two states living side by side in peace and security - a Jewish State of Israel, with true security for all Israelis; and a viable, independent Palestinian state with contiguous territory that ends the occupation that began in 1967, and realizes the potential of the Palestinian people," Obama told the UN.
The Israeli government has refused to commit to a freeze of West Bank settlement construction, which the Palestinians have demanded as a precondition before the resumption of peace talks.
The United States has thus far failed to gain an Israeli pledge to cease settlement expansion, compelling it to soften its position on the issue to the dismay of the Palestinians.
"I will not waver in my pursuit of peace," Obama told the UN General Assembly in New York.
"I am not naive," the president told the UN. "I know this will be difficult. But all of us must decide whether we are serious about peace, or whether we only lend it lip-service."
Obama praised Israel and the Palestinians for steps taken that have improved the security situation and strengthened the West Bank economy, though he cautioned that more work remains to be done.
"We continue to call on Palestinians to end incitement against Israel, and we continue to emphasize that America does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements," Obama told world leaders at the UN.
Obama said America's historic leniency with Israeli settlements has been deleterious to the interests of both countries.
"The United States does Israel no favors when we fail to couple an unwavering commitment to its security with an insistence that Israel respect the legitimate claims and rights of the Palestinians," the president told the UN.
Obama also called on Palestinian supporters in the UN to halt "vitriolic" attacks against Israel.
"Nations within this body do the Palestinians no favors when they choose vitriolic attacks over a constructive willingness to recognize Israel's legitimacy," Obama said.
Obama also said on Wednesday he was committed to diplomacy with Iran and North Korea but that both nations must be held to account if they chose to pursue nuclear weapons.
"I am committed to diplomacy that opens a path to greater prosperity and a more secure peace for both nations if they live up to their obligations," Obama told the General Assembly.
"But if the governments of Iran and North Korea ... are oblivious to the dangers of escalating nuclear arms races in both East Asia and the Middle East - then they must be held accountable," he added.
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This story is by: Natasha Mozgovaya Haaretz Service, Agencies
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"God gave the land to Israel PERIOD." (Joseph) Well ..., how come HE forgot to inform the Palestinians about it? And the UN General Assembly? Rabbi Yehuda Gelman said, "To deserve the Land we must become a society of spiritual excellence in all spheres of life, a nation of decency, in government and personal relations. Obsessive concentration on Eretz Yisrael should yield to concentrating on creating before God a meritorious nation." www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/shiur.asp?cat=58&id=4825&q= Tell me, what is so meritorious in being the last democratic country to be still ruling, after 41 years, a foreign and stateless population?
Shalom Every time i read Haaretz newspaper i hope we can buy this great newspaper in your freindship Country Kuwait Our partnership in makeing a Peace*Israel state* Thank you so much to your kindly effort to markiting for two state sulotion Palistain and Israel two safe nighbers ،We also in Kuwait parting with you this humenty feeling . *I suggest througth your wepsit to prefare an Iconomy peace if its hard to freez building settelment because its more pragmatic and its may facting the two sulotion countries faster Zaina
All, Obama is tired of the 'settlement activity' pre-condition. He gained a lot of concessions from Netanyahu and he is frustrated with the lack of progress. Abbas thought that Obama supported every word of the Saudi Initiative. He misunderstood the meaning of the 'settlement freeze' to think that Obama would force Israel to renounce all claims beyond the Green Line. He was wrong. Netanyahu won't play and Obama realizes that the Clinton parameters are a reasonable basis. Abbas will start negotiations on the basis of the Olmert plan, not the Saudi initiative. The anti-Israel talkbackers will be disappointed.
Obama is a useless president. So far failed on all counts: Mid East, Afganistan, Economy, Health...
and believe the Jewish minority in the ME has the right to their State and freedom from persecution. I'm astounded by your accusation.
I never attacked a Jew. I suppose that makes me very queer, but maybe there are more Gentiles amongst us 7 billion like me. I hope.
God is not the registrar of deeeds, nor is the bibla a real estate guide. If I am to acknowledge what your claim then Osama Bin Laden's claim is equally valid. Does this mean all buddists and Hindus religions are invalid? In any czse may the best god win.
How can anyone prove that GOD gave them anything?
And what makes you think your "opinion" is representative of most US Citizens?? Most US citizens elected Obama on his platform which includes establishing a Palestinian state. So joseph seems your "opinion" on the opinions of most US citizens is wrong. God also gave the land to the Native Americans...so why don't you pack up and go back to wherever your ancestors came from.
Once more the Americans back the Israeli stance, no matter how unjust it may be. Am I surprised? Is anyone surprised?
"He". said it..! "No pre conditions"! "WOW".! How does that work with both Iran and Syria.? Or in fact with North Korea.? The truth is, the gracious president, unfortunately, is setting a scenario / precedent for Humiliation / Failure Not for Israel or the PA. Actually for his further dealings with terrorist inspired states. Good night from cold Swiss Alps.
"Nations within this body do the Palestinians no favors when they choose vitriolic attacks over a constructive willingness to recognize Israel's legitimacy," Obama said. Seven Billion people on this earth constantly attacking 7 Million Jews.
Obama's "opinion" is not representative of most U.S. citizens, and I completely dissagree. God gave the land to Israel PERIOD.
Obama attacked Israel while applauding Islamist terrorism, fascism, and autocracies. As he said, democracy and freedom IS NOT a human right! As per Qadaffi: Yitzhak Rabin killed Kennedy; Mossad ordered the "execution" of Martin Luther King Jr.; The Zionists are responsible for "65 wars" since its founding; The "Zionist Occupying Army" in control of NY were responsible for killing 3000 on 9/11; The Zionists are keeping Afghans from "exercising their humane activities"; Somali "pirates" are actually "freedom fighters defending Somalia's territorial integrity from other countries seeking to exploit them"; "Zionist Labs created Swine Flu so the pharmaceutical houses they own can create vaccinations and profit. The UN should seize the Zionist owned pharmaceuticals to benefit the world" It's all good though...The Brits and Swiss now are favored by Qadaffi so as long as they can profit, they will thwart any actions against Libyan terrorism.
Please stay firm, Mr. President, despite obstacles placed in your way. Insist that Palestinians renounce violence, and equally insist that all settlement activity; yes all settlement activity be immediately stopped. The continued construction of settlements is a serious impediment to peace. A two state solution, with a contiguous Palestine must be implemented. Settlements by Israel reflect a colonialist mentality that must be abandoned. Be a true friend to both peoples. Stay the course.
The position of the Netanyahu government is that there will be no Palestine and no peace under any circumstances. Settlements will expand 'naturally' until all Arabs have been displaced from Judea and Samaria. Obama clearly does not have the balls to play hardball with Bibi. Strong-arm tactics and sever pain are the only thing that Netanyahu understands or respects. Obama should give up.