Avi Issacharoff / Tripartite summit or PR for Obama?
Abbas stands to lose most from the summit, after telling the Palestinians there was little point to it.
By Avi Issacharoff Tags: Benjamin Netanyahu Mahmoud Abbas Barack Obama Israel newsThe tripartite summit Tuesday between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Barack Obama is not likely to bring about a breakthrough or so much as a line for the final-status agreement. Both Israel and the PA have been emphasizing at every opportunity that the summit is not about negotiations, but merely a "preliminary meeting."
The subdued tone stems from extra caution on the part of both the Israeli and the Palestinian leaders. Netanyahu faces coalition pressures and concern, and Abbas is losing support by even appearing for the summit without securing his important precondition - a settlement freeze in all of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
The summit serves, first and foremost, to provide the Obama administration with a much sought photo-op: Three leaders shaking hands, seemingly getting back to negotiations. This would come against the backdrop of the White House's resounding failure to force Israel's agreement to a complete settlement freeze or to persuade Arab states to make even tentative steps toward normalization with Israel, so a picture of the three leaders together will look like an extraordinary achievement. It might even help Obama and his administration to get the stalled peace process moving, however slowly.
This is precisely the reason why the PA realized that although Abbas set the precondition of a complete settlement freeze, as the United States demanded, he must now, according to that demand, rescind his condition without getting anything in return. The talks Abbas held in Cairo with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and in Jordan with King Abdullah II brought home to him just how desperately the Americans need this summit.
Still, it's hard not to wonder about the manner in which the American administration (and even more so Abbas himself) conducted itself over the past few weeks. Abbas stands to lose most from the summit. He stressed to the Palestinian public at every opportunity that there is little point to a tripartite summit before there's an agreement on a construction freeze, especially in East Jerusalem.
Senior PA officials (like top negotiator Yasser Abed Rabbo, who spoke to Haaretz last week) said that going to the summit without a freeze in East Jerusalem was crossing a red line, a surrender to Israel likely to provoke "a third intifada, this time against the PA." Abed Rabbo went so far as to say there was no use in a "tea or coffee" meeting.
The hands of the American administration are not particularly clean. The State Department envoys assured the Palestinians that Washington was on their side this time, and was not going to yield to the Israelis. Only in the last few weeks did Abbas' people in the Muqata find out the White House was, in fact, very understanding of the Israeli demand not to freeze construction in the settlements altogether, and to leave Jerusalem out of the debate.
Abbas was apparently prepared to forgo his dignity rather than replace Netanyahu as the bad boy in the peace process. He understands that no political bounty is likely to come out of the meeting, and that he himself is undertaking a considerable risk.
The Palestinian leader has but two things to comfort him - that the summit falls on the Muslim holiday Eid el Fitr, when the reaction in the Arab media is likely be minimal, and that the tea or the coffee at the summit will be good enough to come all the way to Washington.
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Texas is where "real" men live. We don`t bow down to arab kings, need the government to provide hand-outs to us (we can do for ourselves), expect our education system to teach our children (reading, writing, math, science, and history). We value family, faith, and neighborly love. Obviously, these are not the traits that are found in the east or west coasts or in liberal cities that are over-flowing with lazy, dependent, welfare whores. Your posts are always negative anti-Israel hogwash that nobody agrees with.-Texan It is obvious that you need to take time away from your devoted herd of bulls, dismount from your side saddle, get on a bus and explore the republic of America. Mark of Lewiston is pro American. If, in his advocacy of American interests it would be inevitable that he, or any other American with the same concerns, would at times, be opposed to Israeli policy and conduct. That of course would be considered anti -Israel and anti-Semitic by people like you. What is important is that he is pro American.
I miss America...
But then, unlike Tex, I still live in the United States, in a conservative state, and not on one of the coasts, either. But unlike Tex, I think New Yorkers and San Franciscans still have the right to call themselves Americans as much as you cheese-heads do too. And unlike Tex, I know there is a difference between a socialist and a Romanov.
A huge part of America thinks the way Texan says it, and I would add that we remember 911. The Palestinians were not part of that stunt, but rightly or wrongly, they are in the same camp. And since most Americans tend to keep their politics simple, it is unfortunate for them. It will take a Palestinian leader with imagination to change America's general perception. Abbas ain't it.
that Arabs rejected their land so offered by the UN om 1948. They will reject it again if decreed. You don't understand the dynamics here. Get a Koran. Much more informative than a history book.
Sorry Rabbo and others but Jerusalem is not on the menu for your land gobble. We are no longer falling for false promises, threats of terrorism, and fear of violence as a pretense to hand over Jewish land to Arab squatters. We are willing to let Arab settlers have autonomy on Jewish land if it is recognized the land in question is the Jewish homeland and no attempt at arming is made, Jerusalem remains Israel's capital and no right of return for any Arabs. The Golan will always be part of Israel and Jordan borders controlled by Israel with all Jewish communities remaining and allowed civil rights like natural growth. If any of this is opposed than no deal. There is nothing new here that was not agreed to before but always deals are broken by Arabs who want to grab, grab, grab....
Obama and the USA will do anything for a "success": since they are losing on all fronts what is easier to sell out completely their Israeli "friends". Israel is not to trust Obama or the USA.
the way i see it dont even talk to Israel Have the U.N partition and make a state for the palestinian, the same way Israel was born in 1948 thank to U.N. Fair is fair.
Texas is where "real" men live. We don't bow down to arab kings, need the government to provide hand-outs to us (we can do for ourselves), expect our education system to teach our children (reading, writing, math, science, and history). We value family, faith, and neighborly love. Obviously, these are not the traits that are found in the east or west coasts or in liberal cities that are over-flowing with lazy, dependent, welfare whores. Your posts are always negative anti-Israel hogwash that nobody agrees with.
Excuses,Health care now,and when it is over it would be the war in Afghanistan,the situation in Pakistan,North-Korea,Iran,there are plenty of serious issues.You know the saying becareful what you wish for.....!Recognizing a Palestinian state without agreement would leave Jerusalem and the refugees problem unsolved,and you risk Israel recognizing the new state,and the Palestinian will face a situation of either accepting the fact of no return and no Jerusalem,or go to war.Back to squar one!
He is looking for love,lost love.His approval rating soon will hit"Bush level".Even BBsn and others that have talked of him as he was the Messia,see him as less"divine". Carter didn't make it any easier for the Americans.Now they either have to admitt that Carter talk nonsense(again),or that they have big problem with racism.Maybe both?. The ME is his last hope for success.The war in Afghanistan is not going well and healthcare is even worse.Iran and NK defies him,and the Muslims are not his friends yet,though he has done all to be one with them.
Jane, you will soon find out. The top priority for President Obama now is health care reform. He can not help Abbas openly now because he needs congressional support for health care reform. As soon as congress passes the health care reform laws, Obama will act. I think he will do what Javier Solana, the EU foreign policy chief, has recommended. Solana has boldly and openly called for the UN Security Council to recognize the State of Palestine within a deadline date even if no agreement is reached between Natanyahu and Abbas. I believe Obama and his cabinet will declare their recognition of Palestine as bounded by the June 1967 borders. Obama is fed up with Netanyahu. I think that is the secret promise to Abbas from President Obama:"If you join the meeting, I shall do so in exchange." Obama will do so if only to keep the promise he made to the entire world in Egypt. You will find out soon enough. That is my political analysis.
The summit falls on an ordinary weekday. The opposition to the settlement freeze is as much a precondition as the insistence on it. The opposition to discussion of Jerusalem is as much a precondition as insistence on it. Insistence on pantomime is counterproductive. The world has been watching it for years and is utterly sickened by the posturing of both sides. Common sense dictates being prepared to discuss EVERYTHING and insisting on NOTHING on the WAY to the conference table. Question now is whether the referee has what it takes to oblige both sides professing to be for two states prove that this time it's no pantomime.
Pure unadulterated public relations hoping to overshadow current failings in the Executive Branch. The gracious president will be all smiles. Click click.
Israel never misses an opportunity to humiliate any Palestinian leader who expresse a serious interest in peace. The reason for this, of course, is that Israel doesn't actually want peace, not if it means giving up the land grab. Inevitably, though, this will mean Abbas being replaced by someone more extrems, and so on, until eventually the Pals come up with a Saladin, someone capable of crushing Israel.
What passes for educational standards in Texas these days? I just read the post 5 from the nominally treasonous "Texan." Are there really Texans who don't know the difference between socialism and the Czars? I seem to recall the socialists Reds in Russia, i.e. the Bolshevik Communists shot the Czar and his family. Are Texas schools teaching that revisionist history now? Is this yahoo a Bolshevik Commie Red from your Red-state Republican party?
As several posters have already pointed out, the Israelis should thank the Lord that Obama is a member of the Democratic party, otherwise they would find themselves in (rather big) trouble now: But don't worry too much, as we all know: U.S. Democrats = The most "spineless" people in this world.....
Bibi pokes Abu Mazen in the eye, Abu Mazen twists Bibi's nose, each pulls one of Obama's ears until they stretch like rubber...Voila, the Tripartite summit.
Nothing. It's similar to saying that Obama must have got something from the Russians for announcing the cancellation of missiles in the Czech Republic and Poland. What agreement did he get? None. Jane
1.Rosh Hashanah and Eid Mubarak to all university students. 2.The higher the summit, the deeper the precipice but fear not weary flock. 3.As beautifully foretold, the small but well-trained shepherd boy mahdi will be at the bottom of the pit, waiting with The Moshiachs Meal and Iftar of Five Loaves. 4.Five Loaves should never be taken literally. Five loaves catches Two Big Fish: The Dajjal and Jesus Christ whose symbols is FISH. 5.Everyone will have their fill with plenty of leftovers for future generations. 6.Five Loaves is the only divine formula that safely passes the multitude over from the Antichrist to Jesus Christ.
he has no authority to speak on behalf of the Palestinians , his term was over ,,remember ?
Of course it's spin, posturing, getting PR points, but whatever it takes, it's important for bibi and abbas to meet and establish some personal rapport. open talk, airing of differences must preceed any serious negotiation, and Mitchell and Obama should not pressure preconditions on either party, but to get them to start negotiating on their own. First order of business is new elections and see if Hamas is wanted. With an explicit extremist terrorist group like Hamas ruling Gaza there can be no point in discussion. If Palestinians want war or peace , they must express themself at the ballot box soon. Essentially the Palestinians are in the midst of their own civil war and cannot speak as one nation.
...they certainly will not listen to Abu Mazen. The US Senate and the Congress is in the pocket of Israel as lockstep supporters. Our politicians do not read actual reports, hell they don't read the legislation they pass, bloggers in general have a better grasp of such things, most politicians only care about one thing: Keeping power and expanding it if possible. Much like Israel's incessant and illegal colonialism.
...but it could still be quite costly for Abu Mazen. There's no real leader on either side. Abbas is considered nothing more than a US-Israel figurehead by many Palestinians and not a few outside of Palestine - and Bibi blew his wad on the lame countenancing of a Palestinian "state" that as he and the Likud outline, will be nothing more than an administrative arm of the old Israeli occupations traded for an upgraded model of the same old same old.
Israel is not happy to leave it with one last publicity photo op for all three leaders. It has to give one totally unnecessary kick to the nuts of Barak Obama. Fair enough, Obama lacks the balls to respond in kind. He could make life VERY uncomfortable for Israel, but he is a democrat, and thus a coward. He will just take the gratuitous punishment and say 'A'az Massaa!"
This is the perfect opportunity for Abbas to ask Nutty, on the world stage, why he refuses to obey international and Israeli law, or abide by his signed obligations. I can't wait.
The whole point of Abbas is an alternative to Hamas. Support from Arab nations including the rich ones, communication channels with Europe & the US, an ability to deal with Israel, etc. etc. He can't go another 5 years with no summits, no deals and no progress, however small. That doesn't mean this'll have him. I agree that he has the most to lose from this concession. However, he also has the most to lose from stalling. It's not good to be Abbas
What is the point? It is like shaking the hand of Arafat all over again...
We in Canada had a saying for Joe Clark,"Joe Who?" that really applies for Abbas and for the whole of the PA, "Abbas who?" as these are the ones whom money buys every day every time...lol...smile for the camera Abbas who?
The US a honest broker? That's an expression beyond chutzpah. The israelis are blocking a two state solution. They refuse to fullfill their conditions for the roadmap to peace. I should say to the Palestinians: Give up the two state solution of a powerfull Israel and Palestinian bantustans. Go for one state with full citizenship for all Palestinians. Following elections Israel will disappear and a multi ethnic Palestine will emerge. End of the conflict at last !!!!
For Abbas to agree to meet Netanyahu in New York after insisting that he will not meet Netanyahu until the freeze on settlements is implemented, he must have secured something in return. White House must have promised him something in private, a secret deal perhaps. Without that I do not see any reason why Abbas would meet Netanyahu. In any case, if Abbas does indeed attend the meeting, he will lose his face. A clear loss for him.
Aw come on...it's PR for Obama. Just take a look at his behavior since taking office-just tally the list and how does it read? This guy has no experience in foreign affairs, he bows to the Saudis and claims that moslems are not trusted in the US because of how they pray, and he's giving a pass to Iran to go nuclear? What direction can he give toward "peace?"
Yes, the US Administration and the State Department is on the palestinian side. However, the US Congress doesn't share this view. Obama (aka, Carter Jr.), is a one-termer who will be voted out of office in 2012 in a landslide. The US like Israel is a center-right democracy. With his healthcare reform fiasco, cap and trade, industry bailouts, stimulus bill, socialist czars, etc., senior citizens and independents will vote for the Republican candidates. Obama squandered such a great opportunity in such a short time.
The tough talk on Iran is all PR he needs to look like he is doing something, he ruled out military action during the election. He knows that its unlikely anything he says will have any effect so he makes tough speeches & threatens sanctions so it looks like he is doing something. He may be happy for Iran to keep up the delaying tactics because once their nuclear reactor goes online air strikes are hard to justify because the risk of radioactive fallout. He knows that Bibi can't deliver 99% of the things he is demanding even if he wanted to because his coalition would fall apart. When Bibi won Obamas planned Middle East legacy was over so now he talks about an arab state within 2 years and becomes obsessed with settlements. At least if there is a freeze he can claim a victory in the media. Olmert got elected on a sympathy vote for Sharon & Obama got elected over a hatred of Bush both leaders as a result of circumstance Without the teleprompter Obama is a nobody.
Abbas is showing the world that the Palestinians are giving Obama a fair chance. Israel is seen as using games to beat around the bush. Clever Netanyahu is creating a situation where Israel will implode under self contradictions.
Obama is head over heels in love with Israel. Netanyahu admires Lieberman immensely and both of them have understanding of peace that is totally different from what most people understand it to be. Abbas is a fool and will remain so even when propped up on the highest stage by the side that does not wish well for his people
Obama doesn't know the difference between history and quakery. Conflict and agreement. But he makes good speeches that piss off every US citizen and Israeli. I hear he resigns from office next year, that he will become host of a new Democrat game show on NBC called "Meet the Pinheads"