For Obama, a new term could mean a different take on Middle East peace

someone once said: "in 2008 Americans proved they are NOT racist when voting for Obama. in 2012, Americans must prove they are NOT idiots by voting against Obama." oosp, what happened yesterday?

Israel likewise sees Iran's threats from afar and also as close as the Iranian Regime's bases in Lebanon. This unites the two democracies to deal with the Islamic threats to world peace.

Israel likewise sees Iran's threats from afar and also as close as the Iranian Regime's bases in Lebanon. This unites the two democracies to deal with the Islamic threats to world peace.

...please do not consult Dennis Ross.

do I see anyone calling for Obama to Put pressure on the Palestinians to come to the conference table and compromise. Except for Smadar, the call is always to FORCE Israel to do this, FORCE Israel to do that. Well, it takes two to tango, and unless the Palestinians are willing to give up their preconditions for negotiations, there is no reason why Israel should make any concessions.

Akiva has a sure position waiting for him at The Guardian - unless that newspaper, also in dire financial straits, folds as weel. In that circumstance, Eldar could always try al Jazeera, which would consider itself lucky to get him.

Israel accepts that peace leads to Jewish and Palestinian states as does Obama. Palestinians reject a Jewish majority state. Nothing Israel or Obama can do until Palestinians change their minds. Palestinians are hallucinating if they think Jews are going to hand over Israel to them which is what Palestinians are waiting for.

I think Obama administration won't forget that...

Mr Obama doesnt like conflict and taking sides. He would rather ride the fence, so the US losses all credibility with the world. Israel will be on it's own, while Obama's on watch that's for sure. Israel needs to finish the war of 1967, so the issue of a two state solution would be put to rest forever. The land belongs to the Jews and that's the bottom line, NO compromise.

Yes, it will mean the following: 1967 withdrawal with equal land swap, east Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital, compensation by Israel for those in exile that do not wish to return, to those who want to return they will inherit the illegal settlements build on Palestinian stolen land, demilitarized Palestine, Jews want to stay in Palestine will have a palestinian citizenship with full rights and the same for the native Palestinian live in historic now known as Israel. This has always been the US, UN, and the whole world view since 1967 and you heard that loud and clear when the Democrats boo the Jerusalem issue in their convention. For the sake of Israel Netanyahu should be voted out of office because he is an obstacle to peace. If not then war is what on the horizon god forbid, and more legitimacy to right wing fanatics on both side.

Was there really " open support " for Gov. Mitt Romney by PM Netanyahu? Did he really do a commercial for the state of Florida supporting the Republicans? I can't really believe this. We've heard PM Netanyahu on CNN distinctly say that he would not interfer in the American elections. In any case, President Obama is above all this matter and knows that a right-wing politician would prefer another right-wing politician. Despite the challenges, President Jiimmy Carter got PM Menachem Begin to agree to make peace with Egyptian President Sadat.

The photo of Mr. and Mrs. Obama in this colum was posted by the President after his election victory. However, it was not taken then, but during the summer. Please note that it was taken outdoors and that Mrs. Obama was wearing a sleeveless dress. Not Chicago weather at the beginning of November.

and all Obama Jewish vote

but really, he doesn't have much of a choice and has to get involved with the continued conflict between Israel and the PA. It's within the U.S. interest that the negotiations for the particulars of the core issues get underway. And indeed, this means within the framework of the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002 and recognizing the sovereignty of a Palestinian state based on the parameters the parties of both the Israeli government and the PA agree to commit to. The question is, do we have to wait for after the elections of January 2013?

(1) FORCE Israel to honor it's unkept obligations from Egypt and Oslo agreements. (2) FORCE Israel to honor it's Road Map obligations. Specifically, Israel must completely stop ALL Settlement construction AND demolish ALL illegal outposts. (3) Force Israel to begin credible and earnest peace negotiations BASED on Obama's parameters with a view to produce two viable states for two peoples with a permanent border. (4) As "incentive" to motivate Israel, Obama must be clear that the US will abstain from votes on future Security Council resolutions against Settlement construction IF Israel continues to refuse it's legal obligations.

wearing kidgloves. I believe it is time for a more hardcore means of dealing with Mr. Netanyahu. Sanctions are far overdue and cutting funding for defence is a great start.

Courtesy of the American veto and a gift of three million dollars annual aid from the American taxpayer.

Imposed Two State Solution. UN Peacekeepers manning the borders on the New Palestinian State. Settlers being given the option of Palestinian citizenship or return to Israel proper. The Occupation is a dead duck and Israels stalling and land theft is at an end.

Eldar is wrong...OBAMA has enough things to fix at home that the middle east will not be his priority. He is smart enough to understand that with BIBI as PM he won't be able to do anything...

It appears Israel wants a Palestinian colony and slaves with it. Why does Israel want to punish them because they want what Israel has- a state of their own? Well, Israel can have its slaves and colony but must not ask the USA taxpayers to pay for it.

The US should do what is good for mankind and not what will serve onesided Israeli interests. Inconceivable to support one state materially and financially and show a complete disregard for those who suffer from Israeli oppressive policies and subsequently have to live in poverty. This does not make sense. People don't accept double standards.

please note that we have now a new Minister of Foreign Affairs in The Netherlands. His name is; Mr. Timmermans (that means in English; Carpenter) and that he ia a carpenter is evidently proven with his statement that he not aggreed with the decision from your Bibi to build 1,500 new houses in Jerusalem for Jewish immigrants.. Houses on the land from Palestine landowners. Bibi is already sour that Obama have a new term of 4 years in office with capacity to use EXECUTIVE ORDERS which ignoring the Republican lowerhouse for approval. WITH OTHER WORDS A NEW WIND IS BLOWING IN THE MIDDLE-EAST !

Israel-Palestine at least until the Iran issue is resolved. If it is resolved with the feel of victory (military or negotiated) reminiscent of George H. Bush's victory over Saddam Hussein's Iraq in 1991, conditions may be ripe to resolve the conflict with the Palestinians. If the threat from Iran is neutralized (a big if, by the way), Obama will possess a great deal of influence and leverage over both Israel and the PA (as well as all the Gulf states). Whether he chooses to wield that power is another story. In his 2nd term, Obama will likely be much more concerned with solving the US's economic problems and implementing his domestic agenda - nation-building at home as he referred to it. The massive energy those tasks will demand (especially with a Republican Congress) and the fact that Asia/China are areas where his administration would prefer to focus, may well dissuade Obama from aggressively dealing with the Middle East.

Eldar is the best!