Israel fears Obama heading for imposed Mideast settlement

Bravo President Obama, we finally have a President with the balls to stand up to Israel and not be manipulated like previous Presidents have been. Israel's land grab in East Jerusalem now ejecting Palestinian homeowners and settlers squatting till they get rights is horrendous. Israel has proven over and over they have no intention making some sort of peaceful settlement with the Palestinians! Stop the Brutality Israel! The world has had enough of you and your laments!

Israel has dragged its feet, trying to get as many settlements/facts on the ground in as it could. Time to stop the annexation process and replace it with a peace process. The US spends more than 2.5$ Billion per year on Israel, considerable 'diplomatic currency' and has gotten very little in return. God Bless Israel, God Bless Obama, lets not have Israel become yet another failed state.

Those of us who happen to lead secular american lives, on the whole, are definitely not anti-semitic; In fact, my girlfriend is Jewish(and we disagree on many parts of the mideast coflict). However, most of us are really tired of seeing and listening to the daily back-and fourth confrontations that Israel and the Palestinians go through. I would argue that we think you're all playing a very dangerous game...

I think our countries' new stance towards Israel is more than necessary, given that their PM is acting like an arrogant, spoiled little child. It's a shame that such a religious nation has to literally be forced into peaceful existence, along with its neighbors, but surely it will be for the betterment of all parties involved.

Obama hates Jews because he can. The Jewish Congressional and Senatorial leaders are gutless cowards who are more afraid of the Muslim loving president than supporting the legitimate rights of Israel. Obama does not admire the Democracy in Israel because he loves socialism. And his blackness gives him a free excuse that the dumb Jews will not question. Shame on the gutless cowards.

worse than was seen during WWII because it involves the liberal leftists - it is amazing the american president meets with Germany in an attempt to isolate the HomeLand of the Jews.

YOU WILL LOSE ISRAELS FRIENDSHIP THE ONLY REAL FRIEND IN THE MID EAST,AND WHEN THE F/16 THE U.S SELLS THE SAUDIS WILL CLAIM AMERICAN SOLDIERS LIFE THE CLOSEST ALLY ARE THE ISRAELIS THEY ARE TRUELY THE U.S ALLY/

how arogant can you be by imposing a peace deal which all know is not worth the paper it is written on.NO PARTNER ON THE PALESTINIAN SIDE IS WILLING TO SAY OPENLY THAT THE JEWISH STATE HAS A RIGHT TO EXISTS.SHAME ON OBAMA IF HE TRIES TO SHOVE THIS NAIVE PEACE PLAN DOWN ISRAELI THROATS.IT WILL NOT FLY WITH THE ISRAELIS.

Wait for Mike Huckabee.

Obama is NOT loved by the majority of Americans, and that's all that counts. He'll be gone, but probably not soon enough.

I don't think our President is beloved. In your eyes only perhaps. What's with the WADS bit ey?

Most of you WADS couldn't care less about the Middle East pease possess but will use this opportunity to express your latent anti-semitism. Our Beloved President has just opened the door for you.

Obama doese not speak for all Americans. He`s our mistake that will be corrected in next election. Be Strong and Lead your country, not to be led by someone else. God Bless, Protect, and Keep Israel! And I second it,SBailey. May G*D protect and defend our Jewish State for EVER AND EVER. But we also do protect it through our IDF and IAf plus all the engineers.Scientists who's high knowledge advaces the COUNTY ISRAEL. One people,ONE COUNTRY,WHITE AND BLUE MAGEN DAVID FLAG. The Lord Of Hosts AND OUR PROPHETS said it over 4.500 years ago.

I keep reading "God Bless Obama," maybe someone should introduce them! Peace, Peace and sudden destruction.

Obama doese not speak for all Americans. He's our mistake that will be corrected in next election. Be Strong and Lead your country, not to be led by someone else. God Bless, Protect, and Keep Israel!

Israel is not interested in returning captured lands in order to have a two state solution. Therefore, either the United States and the world impose a solution (we all know what a two state solution would look like) or the time will come when the One State Solution becomes the only option. The world will insist on one person, one vote and equal rights for all. South Africa will serve as a model. The result will be that Israelis will have destroyed the Jewish state themselves.

Indeed, Deborah, Americans are growing sick of this problem, and the problem is persistent Israeli intransigence to a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian plight. Perhaps you think that Israel can maintain the status quo ante, but we are all growing weary of continual settlement building and imposed Palestinian hardship ... something Israel does by choice, not necessity. The writing is now on the wall (in the truest sense of the word) and Israel will either yield or descend into ignominy. I predict the current government will collapse and more reasonable Israelis will decide, however reluctantly, to go with, and not against, world opinion.

Speak for yourself! Do not proclaim that "Americans are sick of this problem". I, and many other Americans, are sick of comments such as yours.

Approximately two years ago I sent several messages as Obama was strategically placing himself to be the USA president, that advised readers that Obama was no friend for Israel. Additionally, he is no friend for us in the USA either. Beware dear Israel, there is a great need to be as wise as a fox.

Who said "The biggest challenge for a people who have been oppressed is to not become like his oppressor." Food for thought...

It's time for the Israeli people to understand we are sick and tired of this problem and we understand all too well how it affects us...9/11. If your dealing with children sometimes you have to impose a solution and force them to shake hands.

Excuse me? Isreal has held American Foriegn policy hostage for decades. Please give us back our money it could be put to far better use someware else!

My friend, Palestine and Israel WILL become closer allies than anyone would have imagined and once we do become allies, we will not need anyone else to help us with anything. Together Palestine and Israel will turn this area into the land of milk and honey. We will not have any need for arms or deadly weapons and for sure we will not need anything from the USA and it's allies. We will be able to take care of our own business without anyone's help. I also look forward to the future...

Peace for Israel is the one thing an imposed settlement will bring What happens when a couple of years from now the palestinians come back looking for more saying they were cheated? Will the US impose another solution forcing Israel to give them more land and each time the arabs come back looking for more the US will demand Israel gives it? An imposed solution will be seen by Israeli arabs as a soure of inspiration. The palestinians getting what they wanted because of terror and the Israeli arabs will start an internal intefada Most Israeli arabs do not accept the idea of a JEWISH STATE and they want a single state which palestinians also have a right of return to as a replacement to the jewish state. Amost every year we get some kind of petition from the arabs & the arab MKS demand it. We going to have an internal intefadh & the arabs demand the US step in and solve through forcing Israel to replace its identity of a jewish state Imposd solutions are the worst of all

The tougher stance of the US administration on the Peace initiative is much needed and way overdue. How long should the US support Israel when Israel continues to expand settlements ~ the most problematic barrier to negotiating true peace? Israel has to wake up and realize that the US cannot continue to support the people of Israel if they do not make meaningful strides toward achieving peace. The US has always been a true friend and supporter of Israel, but Israel thinks that the friendship is unconditional and that the US should back them up no matter what. This is not the case and there is a growing movement in the US that realizes that Israel is bringing more grief to America than it is worth. Either get to the table and negotiate in true good faith, or be prepared to stand on your own!

In case of peace, Israel will "theoretically" not need anymore financial aid to "survive". Another reason why Israelis prefer the present "no-peace no-war" status. To resolve this, I (against nature) suggest the following: While progessively reducing the financial aid in case a peace agreement is not reached, the US administration could commit to some 10-15 years of economical assistance to ISRAEL "in case a peace settlement is adopted Israeli government". To US tax payers: You may not like it, but better pay for 10-15 years than keep paying all your life.

... Roxane left you, poor Savinien? We can see that... But what a panache!

IN OUR TIME! [END PART] with additions Empire troops in position to flood the zone. So, when the button is pushed what will it be, one, the other, or both? As a Non-Deist we really hate religion, its going to get us all killed in the end. Build Temple Quickly, In Our Time, more like Bring and End Too Us All, In Our Time! HERCULE TRIATHLON SAVINIEN

IN OUR TIME [PART FIVE] member pour into East Jerusalem, and into the settlements surrounding the city acting as a second security ring beyond that of the present wall that separates Jerusalem from the West Bank. And a strike upon Iran could provide the catalyst for the destruction of the Dome of the Rock and the re-building of the Temple or not. [In Our Time!] The question arises which will come first the Chicken or the Egg or both at the same time, will the catalyst be the Third Jewish Temple or the Pre-Emptive Nuclear Attack upon, the Republic of Iran, or both in injunction. Either way it?s going to happen, the Think-Tanks have taught it out, there is plausible deniability, all the part are in place, in Jerusalem, the Settlement Ring of Security, The Inner Ring of Security, and the Fleets of the Empire are in place to take control of oil routes, HERCULE TRIATHLON SAVINIEN

IN OUR TIME! [PART FOUR] Now, it?s the timing of the rebuilding of the Third Temple, we are beginning to think that the attack upon the Republic of Iran severs a [2nd] Second objective, to provide cover for the destruction of the Dome of the Rock. [The Noble Sanctuary] The Dome of the Rock, or Haram al-Sharif, the Noble Sanctuary, which contains the Al Aqsa Mosque, and is Islam?s third Holiest Site of the Faith of Islam, is going to be replaced by the Third Jewish Temple, and no less than [200] Two-Hundred Sex-Segregated, [Women in the Back of the Bus], Israeli Only Buses, are moving about the city of Jerusalem, with [Build Temple Quickly, In Our Time], plastered on the sides, as Uzi gun carrying, Hard-Core Israeli ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu (Israel is Our Home) party, and Eretz Israel Shelanu (Our Land of Israel), headed by Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpo and Baruch Marzel, HERCULE TRIATHLON SAVINIEN

IN OUR TIME! [PART THREE] and the Northwestern Arabian Sea, with its Superior Naval Sea Power, and such action was taken only as a last resort, and the Empire would send all assistance necessary in aide, relief, and any security forces necessary to maintain order, as the Republic of Iran re-established it control over the situation, as the Empire occupies its territory. [Jerusalem] The only question is just all this is going to work, now all the Deist of the [3] Three Torah/Old Testament, religions, believe that the Third-Israeli Temple [MUST] be rebuilt prior to each of their God?s, or at least [2] Two, as the Israeli Jews will have their God in a Box, retrieved from some small village in Ethiopia, brought there by the son of David and the Queen of Sheba, which will be within the Third Jewish Temple in the Box, behind the Curtain. White we Non-Deist think there all nuts, but to each his own, as long as it doesn?t involve us. HERCULE TRIATHLON SAVINIEN

IN OUR TIME! [PART TWO] [Plausible Deniability] Reading some of the Empire Think-Tanks, the conclusion that must be reached is, it was the Israeli State without our knowledge, or support that was responsible for the pre-emptive Nuclear Attacks against the Shi-ite Persian Republic of Iran?s Nuclear Medical Research and other facilities and we denounce and condemn there actions. There Think-Tank scenario suggests that there will only be limited response by the other Sphere-of-Influence, in their own self interests if at all, The State of Israel would be involved in armed combat for a period of time with its Northern Lebanon neighbor, and the Empire?s Fleets would clear the Straits of Hormuz of minds and all threats to the oil flowing from ports along the oil coasts and of course be in absolute control the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, HERCULE TRIATHLON SAVINIEN

In Our Time![PART ONE] [Think Tanks] Now, think-tanks were originally designed to think thru problems and come up with possible ending to a that problem, based upon all the possible information available, while the other side is doing the exact same thing but neither can read the others minds or are prepared for the unforeseen, [FATE]. But that was changed by the American-Israeli Empire, they start from the conclusion and work backwards, this is what we want to happen now how do we get there, and that is exactly what they are doing today. The object of the exercise is plausible deniability. HERCULE TRIATHLON SAVINIEN

Two brilliant heads should be ashamed...Netanyahu hard head who needs to comand does not know how to talk and Obama who does not know how to be a diplomat and needs to walk out of a situation instead of finding a way to communicate...is this what is expected of a president....No!

Come on - who really thinks Israel and the Palestinians will ever come to an agreement on their own? Who thinks that one side will ever say, "Ok, now that you say it that way, I see your point!" It's not going to happen. This is why there are such things as tribunals. The whole idea is: get someone else, a neutral third party, to settle the dispute, because we're obviously not neutral ourselves. The only reason why anyone would not want an imposed settlement here would be because they don't want justice. Because let's face it, without justice, the strong win and the weak lose. An imposed settlement is the only way. If Israel thinks that no one will give them a fair deal, then what does that say? That the whole world is anti-Israel? It's not. I feel sorry for Israel, because it staked too much on the old idea that might makes right. But times are changing. If you want justice, you have to submit to justice. Ironic, I know, coming from an American. But there it is.

Israeli leadership's stubborn short-sightedness is harming both the US and Israel. Time for sanctions!

What would Israels idea of a good peace plan look like? 1. Israel keeps expanding as they are now and the Palestinians disappear. 2. Israel keeps expanding as they are now and the Palestinians become a happy and cooperative permanent underclass. While these plans may be attractive to Israel, they are not really part of the real world. Can anyone imagine an Israeli plan in which Israel suddenly stops expanding settlements and instead, withdraws from many of the settlements? This is also not part of the real world although it is a minimum requirement of every peace plan out there. This means that an imposed settlement is the only option for peace.

"Palestinians will toughen their stance and seriously undermine the peace process' chances of success." This has been the case for Israel for the past 60 years. Let the palestininas toughen their stance for once so Israel can feel how it is to be on the end of the short stick.

Finally a voice of reason within Israel. Moshe you guys take care of your radical thugs, and we Palestinians will take care of ours. We can definitely make this work out and you never know, Palestine and Israel may just become closer allies than anyone would have imagined. I look forward to the future...

'A country cannot survive if it is so dependent on another country.' Then it's time for Israel to declare its independence, Cipora - not from the US, which shall always be a friend, but from the Obama administration. He'll be turned out on his ear in a couple of years. Just be patient, and try practising some Iranian-style delay and obfuscation in the meantime. Obama seems to tolerate that stuff all too well. And why not conduct a few underground nuclear tests, just for good measure? MV

I fail to see how the blame for possible civil unrest in israel would be the fault of our US President. It has been the government of Israel and the right wing fanatics of your country that have empowered these thieves to believe that they are in the right for stealing property and transferring Jewish population from all around the globe into the territories. As it should be, those people should be considered terrorists to the state and they should either be expelled from the country and sent back to their original host countries or they should be given a chance to return behind the borders into Israel proper. Im sure you would disagree because its just more simpler for you to shift blame from the Jews onto our country even though clearly you all knew what you were doing was illegal. A thief and a liar will always remain so and never accept responsibility for their own actions. Get over it.

Trust ? No, but Obama doesn't like to hoodwinkned. If Isreal feels it cannot put its trust in America it should feel free to stick by its settlement guns and look for the needed trust elsewhere - maybe Micronesia ! David

Dictate to a democracy, and treat with a dictator. Such is the bass-ackward diplomacy of the Obama administration. MV

Thank you. I knew there had been some concerns about the Iraq war. I didn't know anything about the Churchill bust.

of course Mister Obama, we have left Lebanon, it brought war in 2006, we have left Gaza, it has brought a rain of missile and finally it brought war in 2008/2009. Concerning the comments of someone who said israel export 40 % in america, i can answer, probably, but how much do you think we can export in China. So why american doesn't withdraw from the land of the native americans. Ahhhhh yes, you killed them all, sorry for them. Why don t america withdraw from afganistan and irak. It s war on terror i believe. So we ll still in Judea and samaria as long as they teach how to kill us in children schoOl books. And don t forget as Bibi said, we built jerusalem 3000 years ago, and we ll built jerusalem today. In america, in europe, today in russia, they will soon understand what means coran and islam....... Sure you will appreciate.... And to all american start to withdraw from the countries that you are occupying, start to give a country to native american and then give lesson....

Posted: "...Issues like Jerusalem & settlements whilst he can put pressureon the Israeli government he can`t stop the jewish residents to resist any plans to move them and we even risk civil war in Israel thanks to Obama. ..." For your information, Mr. Settler, if it ever came to a civil war in Israel, we Israelis will make sure that first you and the rest of your Zionist settlers will be forcefully removed from Israel and botted back to where you came from. Then and only then we will be able to achieve peace. You and the rest of your settler friends are a cancer to the Israelis and the Palestinians and the whole Middle East and we will make sure that once peace arrives you will all be kicked out from this region FOR GOOD !!!

It seems to me that the "sources" is you. Did you do the double confirmation thing??

Obama has little to do with it. This is simply a self evident truth. The guardian article makes plain that even in earlier times the UK Foreign Office saw the term 'special relationship' as overused and misleading. We saw this in the UK quite clearly most recently whilst Blair became known as Bush's poodle during the Iraq controversies. Cipora should read the article rather than just refer to it, since it does not support what she implies. Namely that the so called 'special relationship' has ended because of Obama! "Over the longer term the UK is unlikely to be able to influence the US to the extent it has in the past." M.P. /Gapes (inevitable trend, not Obama policy change) "We might have to respond to it in public if it is thrown at us by Americans, but we don't regard it as special," Sir J. Greenstock former ambass. to UN. As for Churchills bust.LOL! It is an inappropriate motif in the modern age. There are those who like to equate the war on terror with a world war as in WW2, but that is populist nonsense, hence Churchill is for another era, the old warhorse imperialist is not a man for all seasons and certainly not this one, though it is easy to see that he would have appealed to Cheney and Bush. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/mar/28/us-uk-special-relationship-over

Sir, in case there is something like an imposed peace/settlement then in my view it was the Olmert, Livni, Barak government that is responsible for such idea, not because of the 2nd Lebanon War, not because of the unnecessary Gaza war, however, of settlement building in Cisjordan incl. al-Quds and most important the well calculated failure of the 12 months Annapolis "Peace-Process" conference, when until the last moment it was said there will be a breakthrough in a couple of days, although 6 weeks after the beginning Ms. Livni told her Kadima MKs that Israel is the only winner because the US said Israel does not have to negotiate the core issues of the problem, and Ms Livni acted accordingly. After 12 months nothing was achieved regarding a settlement. Mr. Abbas coined the famous phrase: If the US Secret.of State or one of her top diplomats say there was progress achieved, that is NOT true. If the Israeli For. Min. or one of her top diplomats say that progress was achieved, that' saLIE

In that they directly obstruct middle east long-term strategy. Our generals are now saying it out loud. Seems they carry more weight than AIPAC finally.

If its a settlement thats imposed your probably going to end up with one that neither side is happy with and it won't bring peace just an arab state. Whats going to happen when the arabs say we want more we were cheated because it was an imposed solution its either give us more or we will start another intefadah. When there is terror Israel will invade the arab state say this deal didn't fully take into account Israels security. Issues like Jerusalem & settlements whilst he can put pressureon the Israeli government he can't stop the jewish residents to resist any plans to move them and we even risk civil war in Israel thanks to Obama. An imposesed solutioon will result in government breaking down in Israel ( not just Bibis ) Does Obama want to be responsiible for the breakdown of democracy in Israel. He risks a situation where nobody can form a government & reations with America will be stretched to breaking point. Does the man want to destabilize the region even more?

cannot survive if it is so dependent on another country." So many people have been saying this for such a long time that it is refreshing that people like Cipora are now saying soooooooo openly. Thank you Cipora. That's the truest statement you've ever posted.

The Kohn spin on this is even more farcically inaccurate than usual. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8590767.stm

Because even Clinton's close advisors like Aaron Miller who is Jewish said the plan was not fair to the Palestinians and Barak and Clinton were trying to rush Arafat into accepting a Cottage Cheese type of Palestinian state. Israel annexing the Jordan Valley alone cut the West Bank into cantons i,e Bantustans. Controlling Palestinian borders and airspace, allowing a capital in Abu Diss, not East Jerusalem, no connection to Gaza, trying to take more Palestinian lands that contain water, not even accepting responsibility for the refugee issue. Come on now, Arafat was perfectly right that if he accepted this plan, his head would be on a platter. Try to negotiate in GOOD FAITH this time.

Remember you guys that you are all brothers in the end, both of you come fron the same stock SEMITIC.

Israeli officials warn that if the United States shirks its past commitments, the willingness of the Israeli public to put its trust in future American guarantees will be undermined - as will the superpower's regional and international standing.

SO...

The "A word" is coming.....Apartheid. It brought justice to the South Africans, it will bring justice to the Palestinians. Along with that comes the shedding of light on the past. That is going to hurt.

Oh Please Oh Please. Israel needs an injection of sanity and I hope Obama has the courage to do the right thing and make this happen as only a friend of Israel could.

The majority of Congress strongly supports Israel -- even the majority of Democrats. Just let him try. Obama already has more than a few fires to put out and a few bruises to nurse after the national health insurance brawl. Maybe he wants end up with a Republican Congress, too?

"am an optimist and hope in November his popularity will fade because of his domestic policies". Obama is right man to bring peace for israel and its neighbours. Enough of bloodshed and destruction. israeli expansionism is failed policy that will destroy israel itself.

Israel should be more pro-active. Announce a complete settlement freeze....not some silly declarations that are more befitting of an ambulance chasing attorney:COMPLETE FREEZE. Negotiate final borders including safe passage way between Gaza and the West Bank AND a sharing of Jerusalem: SHARING!!!! The world will be back in your corner if you stop acting like spoiled, greedy brats.

One of the great virtues of the Zionist movement was to know when and how to compromise. Palestinians will never compromise on the right of return, will never recognize the jewish state, and will hardly accept the borders that were already proposed by Israel and the americans in Taba. There are no other borders to talk about. Pals rejected partition in the past, rejected Clinton prpposals and rejected Ulmart proposals. They will hardly accept anything else out of Israel admittion of capitulation. Israel will never capitulate and America will stand with it. America interests need a peace process not Israel capitulation.

It is time for peace. No more bloodshed. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

I'm not sure why the U.S. would try to step into this mess with 2 feet when the current plan is working so well. Both sides are killing each other, both sides are issolating each other, both sides are learning to hate each other even more every day...

undermine the principle of credibility that has guided U.S. foreign policy:- ) You mean blind support to Israel?

... a massage from the Saudis ? Israel will never be 'for sale' ! Never mind the price ! No one can sell the history of his nation and he will not be called a ' traitor ' ! Jerusalem is the Jewish Makka ! That what Obama must understand and tell any one including all the Shakes of Oil ! Whatever any other massage Obama wants to discuss but Jerusalem is NOT for discussion. If that will be the parting of the road with the U.S.A, so be it & no one can change the will of G-d. To night & in every night we shall be all celebrating we are in Jerusalem our holy capital to the end of time !

Waste yes,...for all but the profiteers

...triumvirate of Netanyahu, Lieberman, Yishai. You did enough damage already...

Alas, an imposed settlement may be the only possibility left. Both Israel and the Palestinians are chronically unable or unwilling to reach an agreement between themselves since they both are aiming for maximialistic results. Let's face it neither side is going to get 100% of what it wants to get. It just amazes me that the demand for a buildingstop is only now brought forward by the Palestinians. Should have done so a long time ago.

Israel has become a liabilty on the US. America's interests have clearly shifted in Iraq's favour in the middle east region, so any action Israel committs to undermine American interests over there will be dealt with. Plus Obama understand Israel is breaking international law with its illegal occupation of the west bank and continous "only jewish" settlements.

but to the rest of us, GOD bless this man. It's high time for Israel to understand that continued expansions will not be tolerated and that it's time to pick up the litter and move behind the Green Line. Almost to good to be true, but it sure looks as if the US red line has been crossed by the most right wing Gov in Israel's history.

The year was 1956 the countries involved was Egypt, France, Britain and the United States President was called Dwight D Eisenhower. I think you could say the US Government of the day imposed a peace.

It's becoming clear that Israel is going to have to return to its pre-1967 borders. You know, we could have skipped most of the misery of the last forty years if this had been accepted a little sooner.

before insulting others, you should inform yourself. as a personal favour, here it is: Guardian: "UK-US special relationship 'over'" and by the way, one of obama's first acts as president was to return the bust of churchill.

What is Israel's proposed endgame? Complete absorption of the West Bank? The Clinton Plan? Something in between? The "Israeli street" (yes, there is one) cannot get everything it desires emotionally, any more than the Arab street can. It is time for Israel to start marginalizing its wackos, not empowering them to run Israeli policy.

Stop deluding yourselfs that settlements and talks can go on endlessly you need to be serious.. 2 state solution is really biggest comprimise that you don't even deserve after invading... now that its given as a option you should have taken it... either 2 state solution or a 100% palestine with christians and jews and muslims living in it. and in the mean time wars and wars. that get more complex. the most logical option would be 2 state solution times are changing make peace and end the suffering ... no more stalling

netanyahu is too energetic in this situation.quite unnecessarily so.why rush to have meetings with obama every other week? what is the point of this micromanagement? proverbs tells us not to spend too much time in others peoples homes. let netanyahu stay at home and enjoy his family. if he is hyperactive then let him turn to israel's numerous domestic problems. i enjoy reading you.

if this is what a friend of israel thinks then you wonder what evil thoughts its enemies have.i guess in the end one gets what it deserves.

all this tooing and froing will at some time be over and nothing will have changed.

i know that for him this is all personal and not a matter of raison d'etat. however, he has considerable power in matters of foreign policy. congress cannot tell him whom to support in the un. nor can they tell him how to treat israeli leaders. congress has not been able to force him to deal more forcefully with iran.

"Israeli officials say that the Obama administration's new policy contradicts commitments made by previous administrations" Regarding that previous administrations achieved next to nothing towards peace, remaining on the same track would be just stupid. Yes, change is possible. You better adjust yourself.

... if these thirsty horses refuse to drink, even when brought to the water... and this holds for the Pals as well as the Israelis...

Tell me more, please and provide some links. I don't usually read the Guardian and have caught PM Question time about the crisis in US-UK relations. Are the Tories up in arms along with Labour? And the Scots and Welsh, too?

... because so far the Pals have had a very bad deal from us, to put it mildly... and it only gets worse for them as time passes, and the status quo becomes entrenched... and ultimately it could be bad for all of us, if humane justice can be so blatantly ignored...

Your numbers and facts about the US in Afghanistan and Iraq and several other countries are fantasy.

Daniel I hate to break it to you, but the Haredi are now a majority of Jewish Jerusalem. In some of those neighbourhoods sharia law would represent liberalisation.

America must impose a solution based on 1967 borders and related U.N. resolutions with some minor modifications. And what Israeli officials warn about allies and Europe losing trust in America is absolute nonsense because the entire world is fed up with a bully called Israel and will be happy to see America cut it down to size.

also to be noted that obama operates in a system of checks and balances.his whims do not mean much if he is unable to convince congress and the american peoples. ms kohn at bottom i have to emphasise that for obama this is all personal.it is not raison d'etat.

several uk papers, including the very left wing guardian, are reporting that obama's behaviour has led to the end of the special relationship between the uk and the us. i assume that the us has so many loyal allies that it can efford to throw over the brits, one of the very few nations that have stood with the us in almost all circumstances. we shall see how the american people will feel about this when they find out.

we quickly forget that ehud barak offered almost the whole of the west bank to the palestinians at camp david and taba. the same offer was made by ehud olmert in 2009 to abbas.the offers were ignored.

...in Israel`s best favor." CORRECT!

Enough is enough. Now you'll watch America's stubborness. Amazing how Israel's government behaved! At least the beginning of the end came from Shas. Now Israelis will know... And so will the rightists' bloggers herein chanting Vorwärts!

... due to all his litigations...Olmert was obviously unable to deliver-the-goods...it was all just nice talk... the Pals would only have been participating in a wishful-thinking charade...

i have no doubt that obama will do whatever he can to make life very difficult for israel. he will most probably withdraw support in the un, although he might still veto the goldstone report given us military needs. i would not predict either way. he cannot impose an arms embargo given previous us commitments. however, he can refuse the sale of certain weapons systems. israel is not the only country on his chopping block. it is being reported that the uk no longer considers the relationship with the us as a special relationship. uk blames obama. this is a man who decides us foreign policy based on his own personal sympathies.

You stated: "All they care about is the myth of Arab unity and returning the world to a time that really never was where they believe the Muslims where the dominant force for good" let us turn it around now: All they care about is the myth of a Jewish state and returning the world to a time that really never was where they believe the jews where the dominant force for good So funny! You really crack me up as a story always has two sides. The Jewish state exists now. fact on the ground. Dont go for greater Israel! Make peace with the Palestinians who were most probablly Jewish at one point in time!

Planet Earth, and normal decent people on both sides have waited for the Palestinian and Israeli political elite to come up with a negotiated solution since the publication of UN Resolution 242. An imposed solution to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict may be the only solution to an internicine war where both sides hate each other and refuse to negotiate in any meaningful way. Particuarly as there is an international consensus is that the border between Israel and Palestine will be the greenline of 1967 with East Jerusalem as capital of Palestine. What is left to negotiate? And of course an imposed settlement would tie everyone's hands as any invasion would be seen as an act of agression.

Check the Huntington Post for the latest polls on Obama and zionists.

It feels a bit uneasy to have heard the term democracy, even a proud democracy, proclaimed by Soviet politicians, to se the term anti-Semitic change its core meaning to be understood as a brave person (often Jew himself) and now ?peace? or ?divided? and so on. The floating meanings are a plague in the language, rendering it very difficult to understand the meaning of a statement.

Israeli governments over the last 43 years have consistently lied to their people about the legality of the settlements. All that BS about the territories being 'disputed' instead of occupied. During those 43 years Israel has constructed for itself a persona based on a united Jerusalem and on hanging onto significant chunks of the WB. There is no way Israel is going to give all that up voluntarily.

You talked "at the point of a gun 'do you mean Obama's policy in Afganistan ,where there is an invasion by 350 thousand American troops of an innocent country ,where Obama states they are hiding terrorists yet never has one been caught or trialed ,and young Americans are losing their lives for Obama's mistaken beliefs . Do you mean Iran -where Obama extends a hand of friendship and willingness to negotiate to a regime that controls its people by the "Point of a Gun" Do yoy mean Iraq,where Obama imposes the law at the "Point of a gun". Obama should practice what he preaches.let Obama withdraw the millions of American troops around the world,negotiate peace treaties with Cuba,North Korea,Sudan,Hamas,Iraq,Afganistan,Algeria,Libiya,and then preach to Israel "peace"

It is written that G-D the creator of the universe will destroy all nations who divide His land inheritance for the Jewish people - all the land of Canaan . See the book of Joel .

there will not ever be an acceptance of a jewish state in the heart of the middle east. that would never happen.that is the huge missing link in the knowledge of europeans and americans.

After reading these responses I am sorry to say that you people are so misimformed and so ignorant of the real history if the middle east that I can see why our country is going to hell in a hand basket. Israel is not the occupier. According to every rule of war that the US has engaged in territory that is captured during an armed conflict by an aggressor is considered the winner. Israel never started and of the wars in which they captured the west bant, East Jerusalem. Teh golan heights and the sinai. However the did give back the sinai and pulled out of the Gaza. Teh palistanians have attacked fought and denied every peace attempt by Israel since 1967. Let me ask you this did the US give back Texas, California, New Mexico Arizona to the Mexican Government after the wars we fought with them? Hell no spoils of war. Yet thwere are groups like Raza who believe that we are occupiers and that we should give them back. Our new supreme court justice is on the board of Raza.Israel is right.

The left in Israel writes articles of wishful thinking and then tries to pass it on as fact. This "baloon" will not fly. Even if the U.S. tries (after reading this article) it will not work as the Palestinians are not interested in Peace and Israel will never give away Jerusalem.

obama has not yet learnt that he is in the business of "the art of the possible" he does not understand there are limits to his power to influence us.

Israel has been victorious in all the wars forced upon it with a tragic loss of lives. It is, therefore, difficult to comprehend why relinquishing land is on the agenda.

Good! This is the price for a wrong policy and wrong decisions made 40 years by wrong governments. stop settlements, stop discriminating arabs and palestinians, stop "liberating" lands, stop victimizing yourself and you will have not only US support but the entire world will be with you (like in 1967)

It's time for the Western world to impose peace on israel, for the sake of all peace-loving Israeli and Palestinian people, and to permanently defeat right-wing extremists and settler lobbies in Israel, as well as Islamists on the Palestinian side. Greed for land has been conducting Israeli policy for too long. Time has come to put an end to the greediness of settlers, and to make peace for the sake of all Israeli children.

Far from undermining the trust the world has in America, you restore it! About time too! We have been waiting long enough for justice in the Middle East.

With such change, the region may have peace and also the Arab world will be free of this unfair feeling about the US towards their stance of the Arab -Israeli conflict. The same way the US has done for Kosovo, it should do for the Palestinians.

How the hell is it that 99% of Americans do not know what Israel does with their tax money and under their governments protection and complicity? Their (don't say where your from) own law is broken when Israel uses the weapons supplied by America ... and the silence is deafening. Did Americans not see Cast Lead? Do they not have access to computers to find out more truth than is pumped out of MSM? How can it have possibly been hidden so long and American society stayed so ignorant of it? Even with the hold Murdock and others have on the media. Ahh yes the one question...did I say from a woman :) Thank you

Obama is a law to himself and previous commitments made by USA Presidents are meanigless to him,in fact as can be seen by the passing of the health plan where 70% of Americans oppose it and not one Republican supported it,Obama cdoes not care, He demands and must have what he wants ,never mind democracy and promises, Israel must stand for its principles and demonstrate an indenpendence if that is protecting its vital interests for if there is war ,Obama will sit safely in the White House whilst Israelis fight for their survival.

perhaps you guys could comment on abbas's rejection of Olmert peace plan that included east jerusalem and like 99.5% of west bank seems like its the pals that dont want peace, isreal

Exactly what i told before.Israeli leaders cannot see that the key support from US to Israel is over.Israel is not not long a key aaly since the end of cold war era.The leaders of this country must realize and think ahead before it is too late.By focussing their attention to the short term vision they are putting in dangerous the future of this country.They need help to understand what is really going on and stop to look at their oww belly.America has no friends but ibterests and Israel is not anymore a vital interest.Netanyahu`s Government is suffering from a lack of real analysis to the future. WAKE UP!

Your post sounds like a hysterical teenager. US policy has not changed. The Israeli government says it wants peace, but has been an abject failure at achieving it with the Palestinians. No scheme ever tried by the Israeli government has produced a single result in that direction. The policies of Johnson are and remain unchanged. Two states for two peoples, negotiated. Clinton and the two Bushes methods of getting there were as abject failures as the Israeli government approach. So Obama may try some new method of achieving that result. The Israeli government method of forcing its way at the point of a gun, has not worked. Your government might try GOOD FAITH negotiations. Or Obama may have some other way to make it advantageous for the Israeli government to match its actions to its rhetoric, something it is singularly hesitant to do.

Keep It Simple Stupid! The line is the line...one side is Palestinian and one side is Israeli. You have immediate citizenship of the side you are on and are thereby due to accept the laws of your country. Should some settlements be abandoned, the cost of investment could be removed from the final compensation payment due the Palestinians in reparations for 60yrs of death and damage. All other issues can be dealt with from there, with oversight of the UN to ensure vacancy of fraud on both sides. Like Dutch, I agree that this is already the standing within international law, and these laws cannot be changed to suit any one country. If Israel is allowed to break international law, then so is everyone.

1 israel needs an arms supplier. 2 israel seeks usa support at the united nations. i do not see congressional support for an arms embargo nor do i see such support for withdrawing support for israel at the un. i have no doubt obama hates the jewish state.but what can he actually do apart from bowing and scraping to the saudi king.

administrations...Israel also shirks its past commitments...Bibi doesn't recognise past peace talks and understandings... Well, you started it. Now US will play the same game too. Why should the US keep its past committements while Israel doesn't feel like it should keep its past committements?

Thank you President Obama. You have pushed the Middle East closer to war. The Muslims are salivating at the prospect. The only country in the Middle East that cares about the US is Israel. Saudi Arabia, Iraq and others know that the US will still by its oil. There are no other benefits to them so they do not care one way or the other. All they care about is the myth of Arab unity and returning the world to a time that really never was where they believe the Muslims where the dominant force for good (and never mind the price of oil if a war was to break out). The next Arab-Israeli war will need to be called ?The Oslo-Obama War?. Thanks for nothing.

look reality is israel signed many many times and stated many times its borders it would accept... but always has it made excuses to extend beyond it like "natural growth" etc. fact is UN recognized East jerusalam as palestine capital ... and its occupied land. West bank is occupied land. Gaza is sieged and still under occupation. Obama has not made any moves at all .. simply put when it comes to law ... there must be a limit on illegal settlements or else israel is starting a war and should not cry foul. also do remember that USA's image around the world is connected to israel.

Everyone who thinks that the Palestinian terror stops only because they get their own state and half of Jerusalem, is just plain stupid.

an israel confined to the coastal plain is a vulnerable israel.i suggest we continue to build as fast as we can. there are more rockets aimed at us from syria and lebanon every year.the missiles strength of our enemies grows apace.

Talk is cheap. An imposed settlement would mean US and NATO troops confronting Israel at the same time keeping a military tight lid on the Palestinians. Neither the US or NATO have the political stomach or the money to do either.

i never had the least bit illusion about obama and his clique. nor did i ever have any doubt that you and others like you would not mind if israel were to disappear from the face of this earth. however, just to let you know, israel cannot be destroyed. she can be hurt, but not destroyed. you and the other antisemites should keep this in mind.

Happy Pesach to my Israeli friends! 1) No one in the US, including Obama would have raised an eyebrow if the announcements of building in East Jerusalem didn't tweak the noses of Biden and Obama. 2) If you tweak noses and get punched in the nose in return, don't be surprised. 3) Israel has GREATLY damaged it's relationship with the US. If you count on US jews to start electing Republicans, you might as well spit into the wind. US Jews and Republicans are oil and water. 4) Israel USED to have high moral standing in the world. Now it is viewed as greedy thugs. You could have had East Jerusalem, now you will be lucky to get the wailing wall. 5) Beware of Jewish racism. I grew up in a jewish american home with "shvartzeh this and shvartzeh that" if you are foolish enough to play Obama for a fool, you will be made out to be the losers in the end. 6) How can the country of Golda Meir and Moishe Dayan stoop to such depravity???

Cool down guys! Obama has no experience in diplomacy and he's showing it all. He will change his mind 100 times before the end of his term, as he already did on many issues.

....that this conflict will NEVER be solved without ruthless pressure on both parties. The moderate Arab camp (Abbas, Arab League) has shown its willingness to more or less meet the conditions for a resumption of peace negotiations (renouncing violence, accepting of a 2-state solution with East Jerusalem as future Palestinian capital). The Israeli side unfortunately is not yet that far, therefore it's only logical, that most of the pressure is applied to her today. Once Israel swallows the Jerusalem toad, and fully accepts the idea of a viable Palestinian state, the pressure will shift again to the Arabs (right of return). But in order to get rid of the current (and tremendous) International pressure, Israel has to become reasonable first and give in on the matters I mentioned above, otherwise she risks to become "suffocated"....

but first and foremost abiding the law and on that note 14 justices spoke loud and clear in 2004 at The Hague when they unanimously ruled all Israeli structures in the Palestinian teritories must be dismantled and "void" ... The justices went on to reiterate toPalestinian officials they should not feel any pressured to accept Israel's facts on the ground. it's too bad I wasn't in the court room at the time when the justice proclaimed an illegally placed barrier couldn't protect settlements already in violation of the Fourth Geneva Con- vention. It must have been a great laugh. What a double whammy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And what a monstrosity of illegality that whole scaffolding of settlements and by-pass roads, checkpoints and barrier represents today in the Palestinian territories. It might as well all be Disney World as it is all essentially make belief... Dutch

Yes, Obama is heading for an imposed Mideast settlement. And unlike Israel's current leadership he knows the difference between winning a battle and winning a war. Obama is a statesman, and he will achive his goals.

No strategic thinking, no long term planning, ignoring of the change in the world political atmosphere. Only a stubborn insistence on maintaining the status quo, with the exception of expanding the settlements. "The current status quo cannot be maintained" Is not a Cliche, Israel has two options: a two state solution, or bi-national state which will not be Jewish. It is time to Israel decides which direction to commit to, to insure that the outcome will be in it's best interests.

Exactly what promises do you think the US is breaking? The US has always been clear in its position on the occupied territories. It is not surprising that it has grown tired of the Israeli inaction (after 40 years) and especially the counter-productive actions. This does not mean that Israel is being abandoned or whatever you think.

Just make it, US has said they are commited to Israels security, thats fine. They have not said they are committed to Israels occupation and the settlements, thats even better.

It's about time! Israel is so arrogant to think they can murder enemies in other countries, impose war on Palestine, reject the UN Report (say it is "anti-semite"). There should be some fairness in the Mideast problem.

As long as Israel has confidence in Tzahal and Tzahal confidence in Israel then the expected changes can be weathered. It is imperative for Israel to understand that this ganging up of the world upon her is probably more weariness at the situation than antisemitism. Riding this tiger called Obama and getting as much as possible out of this new dynamic is better than rebellion. Do not throw toys out of the cot! Do not turn this into an apocalypse.

My different posts here told the story from the beginning, one year ago. Not that I had some insider information ; it's simply racial no matter what it is political correct to say. Besides, I always wrote : look toward Russia too. This rubbish about eternal american friendship is incredibly stupid and irresponsible.

I have been working a lot in the beautiful country of Israel, and I do have love for Israel. But I can not understand why it not will take the chance to show greatness and choose the road of peace, after all Israel have been trying the old patch for many many years with no result -but suffering, high expenses, and isolation......Dear Israel when do you have the courage ? after all if this dosent work (peace) you as a major military power in the region can always force back the deal !

Who ever think the U.S WILL KEEP Supporting,protecting Israel for ever is wrong.Israel needs leaders like Mr. Rabin,God bless his soul.One life to live.Peace is the answer.NO ONE WILL WIN IN WARS.

... as far as Obama is concerned, it was left to him to do the 'dirty work' that previous USA administrations desired, but shied away from...

One can only hope that the US imposes a settlement on Israel and the Palestinians. Otherwise, there will be no settlement, no end to the conflict.

'An imposed settlement.' On the face of it, that implies that it would be equitable, take the interests of all parties into account, be designed to hold up, etc. It would be imposed by the US, of course. We're the only power that has the ability to compel Israel to do anything. It's telling that Israel fears it. It's even more telling that Israel fears it even though she would be able to whisper in America's ear more than the Palestinians. After all, Obama's chief of staff is Israeli, and you're STILL afraid. Of what? Justice?

As usual - after the Jews are removed from the West Bank - when the massacres start and rockets begin to rain on the Jews in Israel - the best anyone can expect from the USA will be a veto in SC - and hey - this board's posters will be silent.

You are beginning to accept reality. As you say, a country cannot survive if it is so dependent on another country. So Israel has to either behave like a law-abiding reasonable nation or not survive. We CAN make it quite well without Israel if necessary.

Nice article. It seems like the US has finally woken up to the fact that supporting the Israeli theocracy is detrimental to its credibility as a super power democracy, and makes it a target for Islamic extremists. The real test for the Obama administration is in the way it uses its veto, when the inevitable UN resolution condemning Israeli settlements in occupied territory is presented to the Security Council.

Israel was dumb enough to try to force its tactical approval of mindless settlement expansion on America while its second man visiting the region. What were you thinking? You think we send the vice president to be publicly and internationally ridiculed? What did you think our response is going to be? Thank you Israel for back handing our effort to promote peace? Some of these Israelis just don't get it. 40% of their export is to the US. Why do they keep pushing their lucks? We are not your servant neither play a docile and meek as you've already demanded from us. Get a clue.

The Jeusuits said give me a child till 7 and I have him for life. Barak Hussein Obama should be no surprise as being pro-Moslem. I am an optimist and hope in November his popularity will fade because of his domestic policies.

US SC 242 requires the parties negotiate an agreement to issues not to have one imposed ; it does not require Israel to vacate any area

Israel's fallacy (made tempting by 60 years of wars and violence between it and its neighbors) is that it lives in a vacuuum, that its affairs are only its affairs. (Israeli peace activist Uri Avnery calls it Israel's "national autism". Obama is the ultimate leader of the future because he knows that way of thinking is of the past - in a world of global media, internet, and the mind that made these things, EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED. All our fates are connected (even ours and the Arabs!!!!) - violence degrades all, peace benefits all - literally and not just poetically. "Ghetto thinking" is of the last century.

there is no doubt that netanyahu has received the message. what do you think obama was lecturing him about for over two hours? obama was the pro-arab candidate, not the corporations' candidate. the corporations have not profited from his presidency. america will do nothing about iran. obama will not attack a muslim country. it is very doubtful that israel will attack iran. as such, obama has little means of pressure on israel. as i said in my previous post, he can take some punitive actions. congress, especially after the november elections, will most likely put some brakes on him.

They fear that the US so called intention to impose a settlemnet may cause the Palestinians to "toughen their stance and seriously undermine the peace process' chances of success". Are you serious !! Is there a peace process !! What are these chances of success. Is Israel worried that the peace process will be undermined. Is this your hasbara working again. All you care is to "buy more time", wait for the next US president, and buy him or her, and continue the status quo and rob the land.

I fail to see how they arrive at the conclusion that his policy "contradicts" those of the past. Not at all. The only real difference is that he's not quite as willing, at least not yet, to make concessions to Israel's motives with under the table winks and silent nods, as previous administrations have done in order to avoid any political backlash. Furthermore, and in consideration of the above, that this misguided assertion comes from an Israeli government that had no qualms about vehemently announcing its intention to completely scuttle the commitments made by those preceding it, renders it pompous and moot! Shall we talk about losing credibility? Israel is rapidly losing any that she may have once had.

These "political sources in Jerusalem" is just Netanyahu pulling a hissy fit. This is a guy who screwed things up before and got the boot, and he's not a guy who learns from past mistakes. I only hope there are wiser people in Israel who can see where this is leading and find a way to replace him again. This is no time to be alienating your strongest ally when Iran is about to get the bomb. Is pushing a few thousand more radical settlers into E Jerusalem worth risking the survival of Israel?

Nice article. It seems like the US has finally woken up to the fact that supporting the Israeli theocracy is detrimental to its credibility as a super power democracy, and makes it a target for Islamic extremists. The real test for the Obama administration is in the way it uses its veto, when the inevitable UN resolution condemning Israeli settlements in occupied territory is presented to the Security Council.

CJK: "Obama plans to send in the marines?" Most unlikely but, if he did, I'd have no doubt that the US marines would wipe the floor with Israel's rag-tag rabble of an army. CJK: "However, he cannot force Israel to do anything concrete. He cannot force any evacuations or even building in Jerusalem." Spoken like a true Afrikaaner, Cipora. They spoke just as tough, until the day they folded like a cheap poker player..... Listen, Cippie, if Obama really wanted to bundle the IDF out of East Jerusalem he could do it without risking a single GI: freeze the military aid, refuse to guarantee Israeli borrowings, and call in every outstanding loan that Israel has with the USA. End result: the IDF would be back to carts and donkeys within a year.

It's the American support and protection, provided for so long and without question, despite its own opposition to Israeli policies, that has "undermined the principle of credibility that has guided U.S. foreign policy since the end of World War II". Any change in American foreign policy that would seek to influence a change to those policies and bring an equitable closure to this conflict, along with the potential for peace that it holds, would increase American credibility and its stature in the yees of the international community.

Obama can and most likely will use denial of veto in the Security Council. He can, and already has denied certain weapons to Israel. However, he cannot force Israel to do anything concrete. He cannot force any evacuations or even building in Jerusalem. Most importantly, Israel should refuse indirect talks. Such talks are a trap whereby the Palestinians are allowed to sit on the sidelines while the superpower imposes its will on Israel. Ehud Barak has warned Netanyahu to keep the strategic relationship with the US. That advice is good only as long as the other side is willing and has bare minimum of honesty. Barak should have thought long ago to find a way to be less dependent on the US. A country cannot survive if it is so dependent on another country.

Israel has such a sterling record of keeping its word!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let me count the times. Ah, sorry I can't even count one!

Menachem Begin said, in 1976, "negotiate, negotiate, negotiate, even to the year 2000." Menachem would be proud of you Daniel, but it's now 2010. Thirty-four years later and it's still the same stall job. Time's up dear boy. President Obama is loved by the majority of American people. Not to worry little fella, he will be re-elected and peace will come to the ME. Bet your tuchas on it. BTW Are you an American? If so, do you put America first? Salaam/Shalom

Unbelievable !!!!! After reading the majority of the comments posted here, I see a bunch of people that rationally know what's going on about this conflict. thank God for the New Media and the Internet and all the resources we all have on hand to figure out what the reality is on the ground in the Holy Land. The US better not miss this opportunity and the momentum to put pressure on Israel to get serious about compromises for peace. Enough is enough ! Israel better know that the mood among the Americans has been changing anf the AIPAC is not the only game in town. Israel can simply not hide its racist way anymore, at least not at the American tax payer's expense. happy pesach !!!!!

If there has been a sea change in US Israeli policies, it was GW Bush recognizing the "realties" of the settlements. All Presidents before and after Bush have explicitly condemned the settlements as illegitimate. The US has always supported the existence, security and prosperity of Israel within its internationally recognized borders - with billions of dollars in aid each year and by vetoing many UN SC resolutions condemning Israel. The only real conflict betweeen Israel & the US relates to Gaza and the WB. Should the territorial integrity of the state of Israel (67 borders) ever be threatened, the US will support and defend Israel absolutely, but we have never supported the settlments and never will. It is absurd to regard this position as anti-semitic or anti-Israel. It merely follows the unanimous resolution of the UN SC (eg, 465). The US continues to pledge to support and defense of the state of Israel w/i the 67 borders. How can this be anti-Israel?

"Of course, Obama is a simple black guy who likes to shoot basketball" He was a Harvard constitutional law professor, which is not exactly simple. And how about we look at Obama's actions for a second: Look @ the facts: 1. Obama approved $30 billion over the next 10 years in aid to Israel 2. Under Obama's watch the US rejected the absurd Goldstone report 3. Under Obama's watch the US had the biggest ever Israel-US bilateral military exercises 4. Look at who his top advisors are - VP BIden has a flawless record of championing pro-Israel legislation during his 40 yrs in the Senate, and chief of staff Emanuel comes from Israeli parents & served in the IDF Mazal Tov on making an ass out of yourself

It's not a change--it's the roadmap. What changed is that Israeli cabinet members seem to have thought that that was just for show, that they could continue to ignore things, permit construction in contested areas, expand settlements, and no one would say anything. Rather than engage in dialogue, it's been "pull out the off-the-record-insult quotes." Now there's sharp diplomacy. Then they'll wonder why the administration continues to be cool to them.

It strikes me that the real strategic blunder here is that Israeli politicians of the current administration believe the USA's standing will be diminished if Israel defies its wishes. The truth is that the US is the only friend Israel has. If the US finally recognizes international law for the OPT--like every other country on this planet already does--our standing can only _increase_ in world affairs. In effect, it's a game of musical chairs with one chair left at the table of consensus. Everyone else has already found a seat. If the US sits first, Israel will be left standing. Alone. In this sense, Israel's apartheid policies have backed it into a corner. It can negotiate now and still retain a modicum of strength in a final settlement. But the longer it waits, and the more territory it occupies, the more likely it will eventually be overwhelmed by demographics.

And the Hawks and Religous bring fear and threats to the Israeli innocent; as do the scumb in every land.

"Senior Israeli sources say that as a result of the U.S. administration's policies, the Palestinians will toughen their stance and seriously undermine the peace process' chances of success." Ari Shavit Who will "toughen their stance?" Who will "undermine" the peace process. The Palestinians? What a joke. Look in the mirror and you will see the villian. God Bless President Obama. May Peace come to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Like it or not. Salaam/Shalom

I have supported Israel my entire life and still do but like my President I will never! support the occupation. I voted for change in US foreign policy and it is happening.

I think anybody who has followed Middle East politics, will realize that Israel is not interested in peace, their strategy is to delay and obfuscate, and to continue to settle more jews on occupied land, in order to create facts on the ground. I fear this strategy will lose them a lot of friends in the world, unless they realize the error of their ways.

99% of Americans are not familiar with what Israel has done to native Palestinian People. The truth is about to come out, and it's not going to be pretty. Americans are not going to be happy with what Israel has been doing the last 70 YEARS!, not just the last year.

I don't speak for the United States but I'm a damn good Claivoyant and maybe an analyst of the news too. What Obama is trying to tell Netanyahu right now (and when I speak of Obama, I mean the Corporations, because that's who the Presidents really represent) is "What part of, "No Way!," is it, that you don't understand?" So there is really a limited amount of time left, because Iran is presently bucking the entire system and the United States can't afford to waste anymore time. So I guess the Marines are coming to separate the Israelis and the Palestinians in lew of no perceived settlement within the time that was alloted or left. It's just the way things are run nowadays. I'm surprised that Ehud Barack didn't pull the plug on the Right Wing yet. Maybe he will if it isn't too late. Revised deadlines. Two Months for Israel and the Palestinians to settle this themselves if they don't want Obama to intervene. 6 months until Iran gets it's cookies. You still have choices. Use Common Sense.

Insh'allah my country is waking up and out of the nightmare of supporting Israel unconditionally. It is high time we changed our status quo with regards to the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. I do not want our boys to spill any American blood for the Israeli stance on the "peace process" - that has been timely advantageous to its own demands and wills. Hillary and Petraeus know what's going on and how much it is costing our dear country for Israel's stubborn and self destructive approach to the "peace process" I refuse to have my tax dollars given away to a barbarian and racist state !!!!!!!!!!!!

Netanyahu, the wus, should heed mike's highly reasoned, intelligent and informed advise, since he is the kind of guy he respects- white, racist, xenophobic with self-assured bluster. In fact, the Israeli government has several mikes whose advise Netanyahu sought and received to great effect. Etta boy Netanyahu!. you rock.

Obama is not stupid. He is not going to make this a USA vs. Israel "thing". He wants to avoid this. It's going to be a USA/European Union/United Nations vs. Israel. Hmmmm, what was the World Court wanting Israel to do with it's land grabbing wall? Israel..... keep your wall, build it 100 feet high, but build it where you're going to be told to build it. As the war criminal Sharon said..."grab every hilltop" Well Israel, the grabbing is coming to an end.

So Israel will take out the Arab oil fields & destroy the worlds economy. I don't think Obama wants to deal with something like that.

What "commitments" has Israel made......and kept? It is time that the world pulls together to get done what the UN envisioned when it gave Israel a state. The Green Line awaits. Israel must come to terms with it without delay, or the whole Zionist project is doomed.

The United States is not trying to gain the "trust" of the present Israeli government. That government has told too many lies and played too many games. The "regional and international standing" of the United States does not depend one iota on the Israeli public or its perceptions of "trust". The United States has not skirted "its past commitments", but has for the first time upheld its commitments to international law and the Geneva Conventions. The Israeli government has done great harm to the United States around the world, and threats from the current Israeli government are not welcome.

Inspite of this Israel will continue to bite the hand that feeds it

Why not , you have been spoiled for so long,Ever Eisenhower was the last American to say no, It is time to give up stolen land you occupy, learn from history and save yourself, you cannot be the exception,otherwise you will self destruct. Who ever pays the bill must have the last say.

If President Obama has indeed made these demands, then it is very good news for Israel. The Netanyahu government has been heading towards rogue state status, and being condemned and completely isolated by it's allies.

seriously the zio posters seem to get even more extreeme and insane very day....i certaily hope its not catching but i am loosing interest in this talkback because the zio's just seem too stupid to get anything hence my best insults go unacknowledged...have you noticed? think its collective and maybe genetic?

Whatever moves United States makes against Israel whether on the geo-political arena, aid, trade, defense, the entire world will applaud. And even those who publicly abstain from a reaction, privately will too think the same thing: "Stick it to the Jews, and stick it good." The sooner you realize you've no friends and US has always undermined you and you interests, the sooner you will make the right strategic decisions for your future.

obama, with fellow egomaniac rahm emmanuel, is going to dictate the 'peace process' to israel. the best thing that israel can do in this situation is fight back hard, and start building in the E1 area. if america can break its promises, israel can too.

we, the friends of Israel. are tired of this conflict. we want peace even if it means the USA will have to impose it

The outline of a peace settlement had been well known for many years. Basically a Palestinian state on most of the occupied territories with equivalent land swap where Israel keeps the big settlement blocks. E. Jerusalem is the capital of the new state and the holy sites shared by both, a token return of diaspora Palestinians and compensation for the rest. The problem is that Israel does not want to give up the territories and the Palestinian leadership can not sell this to all Palestinians. Therefore and imposed solution is pretty much the only way. Israel will have the peace it pretends it always wanted, and the Palestinian leadership can honestly say, this was the best deal they could ever get under the circumstances. Leaving both sides to make peace on their own is an excercise in futility. If a solution is not imposed fighting will continue for generations and American interest will suffer dearly.

Whatever moves United States makes against Israel whether on the geo-political arena, aid, trade, defense, the entire world will applaud. Publicly, they will abstain from a reaction, privately they will all think the same thing: "Stick it to the Jews, and stick it good."

If Israel trusts Obama and follows his program for peace, Sharia law will be found in control of Jerusalem, and from there to the sea, the desert and the Golan. Israel will cease to exist. With friends like Obama Israel doesn't need other enemies. In less then four years he will be out of office. He knows it and he's pushing to imprint his policies on Israel before he's gone...wait and delay him until the next administration

It is mindless for Avri Shavit to jump to conclusions already. Obama is both pro-Israel and pro-Pallestine. He's looking for something that works for both peoples. Avri Shavit's extreme xenophobia and nationalism can only lead to more conflict and less progress.

Netanyahu Should Stop Being Clown This isn't circus: Obama is more dangerous than Ahmadenijad. Obama is doing everything possible to damage Israel and to undermine Israel's relations with the US and Europe. Obama is more serious threat to Israel than Iran. Israel should direct its efforts to show the world the aggressive side of the Obamistas-islamistas. Of course, Obama is a simple black guy who likes to shoot basketball, but he carries out a plan prepared since 2006 how to subdue Israel prepared by President Jimmy Carter, John Mitchell, Rashid Halidi, Valerie Jarrett and Arab lobby. If instead of having endless meetings with Mitchell, a friend of Jimmy and Zbig, and numerous phone calls with the cleaning lady of the 7th fl, and dining with the useful(useless) idiot Biden, Bibi would have read what we write in Talkbacks he would have been much smarter. Mitchell and his people should be immediately expelled from Israel. Israel should proclaim once more that under no circumstances will the Freeze be extended. Israel should wait out Obama, the most pro-Islamic US President for 234 years who represents a threat to Israel and Jews just like the ancient rulers Persian and Egyptian rulers. Obama doesn't represent American people, Congress or elite. There are only 25 people behind him; he is bluffing. Don't be coward, Bibi. The more Palestinians wait the less they'll get.

Israel had better get over it. Clinton and George W Bush are gone. Forget the polls. The American public at large is getting tired of Israeli intransigence. As news reporting gets more honest on the issue, this trend will accelerate. There was a window for a two state solution; it has passed. Your leaders have now made the one state solution inevitable. At the very least, there will be a solution imposed from outside; more likely, the two state solution will be abandoned by all and demography will rule. End Apartheid now, will be the new mantra.

It really is amazing the lengths Israel will go to avoid a fair peace with the native people of the land. Zionism is about thievery and nothing more. As an American citizen I hope Israel resists Obama at all costs and completely destroys the relationship it has with the US, The world will impose the solution anyway and Israel will eventually crumble.

US is friend not Master

These profound shifts in US policy are not the whim of one man who happens to sleep in the White House, but rather reflect the conclusions that a very large segment of the US population has slowly reached. Decades of frustrated diplomatic efforts, spent political capital, shifting global realities, and plain ol' public and national exhaustion with this issue are producing a new situation. This is neither "anti-Semitism" nor "anti-Israelism." It is far more troubling: This is what Israel's *friends* are thinking. It's going to be quite a ride. Interesting times.

Don't worry about our credibility. Worry--I mean really worry--about your survival.

The article states: " if the United States shirks its past commitments" What is it talking about? And, is peace such a bad thing? Perhaps; Israel will have to deal with its internal problems.

obama cannot keep his word to U.S. citizens. Why should he be expected to keep promises to Israel? I guess if he wants to ruin our country he might as well take out a few others too

obama cannot keep his word to U.S. citizens. Why should he be expected to keep promises to Israel? I guess if he wants to ruin our country he might as well take out a few others too

Because Israel has demonstrated it has no interest in pursuing peace, and we Americans are not enthused with the idea of bankrolling an apartheid state. Get it together Israel, or we'll have to do it for you.

When he (Pres. Obama) stops sending our tax dollars to subsidize the occupation and breaks the siege of Gaza, like former Pres. Bush II did in Georgia, I'll figure he has done something. Until then, despite all the screeching from the right....NOTHING has changed as far as guns, money and facts on the ground....where it counts. These guys should get a grip. OMG, Pres. Obama wants international law semi-enforced on Israel re: Jerusalem. Time to freak out. The thing the right-wing really doesn't understand is that Pres. Obama is MODERATE, which only shows how extreme they are. I know because I'm one of those silly people who think US taxes should be used to help the American people, not finance the arms industry whether in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Besieged Gaza or the West Bank. It would behoove the RWNJ (right wing nut jobs) of which Israel seems to have its share, to take a deep breath and think. The status quo is NOT sustainable for Israelis, Palestinians or the US.

Why in the world would anyone lose trust in the USA if we make Israel do what it lawful? Are you people insane with these idiotic threats? These are like the threats of Palestinians losing their jobs in the settlements working for Jewish settlers. Once the settlers are gone they will have their own work. They just need to shake the Israelis off their backs. The international community will not look upon us in a bad light. Only the religious wackos of Israel and the USA will, and we will not tolerate Israeli religious fanatics or arab religious fanatics. Bear in mind we dont need you, as much as you need us. "The land without a people" Obviously had people there,and the Jewish people just didnt care and still seem not to.

An un-named source claims that President Obama said x, y, and z in private talks with PM Netanyahu. Then the source replies with shaky, and sometimes silly, comments that are said to be Netanyahu's fears about US intentions. In the US, reports focus on President Obama's visit to Afganistan and the US demands that President Karzai clean up his act. And on another bombing in Iraq, where they have had another general election. And on far-right Republican Sarah Palin's "just teasing now" death threats against various Democratic Members of Congress. Recall that the US just gave Israel $30 billion worth of advanced weapons. Is that the action of a US administration preparing to throw Israel over a cliff? Reading through the complaints of the onerous policies the US is said to be "imposing", it is hard to keep from thinking, on each, well, yeah, who would oppose that?

And then tell the whole rotten bunch in the U.S. to go take a hike. And tell Europe that, too. And of course it goes without saying that such a thing applies to all the Arabs. Just tell the whole world to go to hell. Israel doesn't get it yet that when Bibi poked that stick in Joe Biden's eye--chutzpah is his stock in trade--he seriously overplayed his hand. And the monolithic lobby in the U.S. is in trouble, because American Jews are now realizing, too, that Israel wants land, not peace. And so be it. One state for two peoples, and just like happened to the apartheid regime in South Africa, someday true democracy will reign.

Stop fretting Israel! Anything the US imposes will be in Israel's best favor, no doubt!

Israel had its chance for peace for years, but the willingness was not there. Greed for land was the key motivator and now the consequences. If they can't get it done, then it is time for the USA to do it for them. In fact, it is past time. Good for Obama. We finally have a President who will stand up to the arrogance of the Israeli government.

endorsing, or guaranteeing its occupation. Israelis choose to Misinterpret rather claim not to have understood.