Israeli officials: Obama to call world summit if Mideast peace talks fail
President informed European leaders of plans for peace conference this fall, sources tell Haaretz.
By Barak Ravid Tags: Barack Obama Israel newsU.S. President Barack Obama has told several European leaders that if Israeli-Palestinian talks remain stalemated into September or October, he will convene an international summit on achieving Mideast peace, senior Israeli officials told Haaretz on Thursday.
The officials said the conference would be run by the Quartet of Middle East peacemakers - the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia - in a bid to forge a united global front for creating a Palestinian state. The summit, they said, would address such core issues as borders, security arrangements, Palestinian refugees and the status of Jerusalem.
Obama is determined to exert his influence to establish a Palestinian state, the officials said, and several European leaders have vowed that the EU would support any peace plan proposed by Washington. Therefore, though so-called proximity talks are set to start in the coming weeks, Obama is already readying for the possibility that the indirect Israeli-Palestinian talks might reach a dead end.
The U.S. proposal would likely be presented by the end of this year, the officials said.
On Saturday night, Arab League foreign ministers will convene to reiterate their support for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to begin the U.S.-mediated talks. The Arab bloc is expected to demand that the negotiations show progress within four months. September and October will thus be critical months in determining whether the talks have borne fruit.
The UN General Assembly will reconvene in late September, and that month will also mark one year since Obama hosted a largely unproductive trilateral summit with Abbas and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In addition, September 26 marks the end of the 10-month period Israel allocated for a freeze on West Bank settlement construction, and Netanyahu will have to decide whether to allow such building to be resumed.
Israeli officials said they believe Obama could postpone the international summit, or the unveiling of his own peace plan, until after the midterm Congressional elections in November, in which his Democratic Party is widely expected to suffer heavy losses.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu has a full diplomatic schedule next week. On Monday, he will travel to Sharm al-Sheikh for talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on restarting the peace process. Mubarak will likely ask Netanyahu to make goodwill gestures toward the Palestinians to demonstrate the seriousness of his intentions to advance negotiations.
U.S. special envoy George Mitchell will return to the region later in the week to meet with Netanyahu and Abbas for discussions that may serve as the first round of proximity talks.
In advance of these talks, Interior Minister Eli Yishai instructed the Jerusalem Planning and Building Committee to inform him of any plan to authorize construction that the U.S. administration might deem diplomatically sensitive.
Abbas, for his part, will visit China on Friday, and in advance of this visit, he told the state-run news agency Xinhua that the Obama administration had promised him it would work to prevent any provocative Israeli moves during the negotiations.
"We want our state to be declared under an international agreement," Abbas told the agency while visiting the Jordanian capital of Amman Thursday. "If this could not happen, the Arabs will go to the UN Security Council to get recognition of Palestinian statehood."
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U.S. President Barack Obama. |
| Photo by: (Archive) |
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It's time to settle the borders of 2 capitols in Jerusalem and the security features. This isn't the past and there's no going back.
Europe's new crusade - peace in in the Middle East - will brutally betray both Arabs and Jews for the German-Jesuits who covet Jerusalem.
What a nonsensical comment! Israel simultaneously took UN 181 as its birth certificate, while ignoring everything the UN says, in 181 and elsewhere. Except Israel's 'right to exist' - at the expense of anybody else's rights. Have you no shame???
Abbas is spineless and carries no weight as a credible negotiator on behalf of the Palestinians. Any meaningful peace talks, whether in September/October or after American mid-term elections in November, will need to have seen Marwan Barghouti released and playing an important role in those talks. So, the sooner Netanyahu pulls back from his aggressive rhetoric about scuds and about Iran, and engages Hamas purposefully in negotiations for the release of Marwan Barghouti and others in exchange for Shalit's freedom, the better the prospects will be for Israel to move towards consolidating security i the interest of its citizens.
People are one step away from protesting and rioting on the streets over this conflict and they won't accept Israel's chronic undermining anymore or the US's lopsideness or the EU's inaction. There needs to be drastic changes as the status quo is morally and legally reprehensible for the Palestinian people and must end.. Dutch
...that the decision-making about the conflict will be taken out of the American domestic mechanisms of president/congress and of electorate/representatives, into which the groups of interest like AIPAC intervene disproportionally. It will also be somewhat secured time-wise, since, once initiated by the US president, such international process can't be revoked after the end of his term. Such initiative also won't be easily accusable of oil- and strategic interests of the broker, since it would be shared and handed not to the UN with its Arab-countries-strong forum but to the pro-"western" ME peacemaking Quartet with its members' various strategic interests. Neither AIPAC/Likud could easily manipulate, nor Taliban could afford to wage targeted terror, against such body of arbiters. Obviously, such process still must pass the test of resistance by the American lobbies. But Obama is making right step to evoke such possibility, leaving the choice between 'bad' and 'worse' for Israeli gov't
succeed until before this period of the proposed summit. It's imperative that all the core issues be addressed between the governments of PM Netanyahu and President Abbas. I remain optimistic that there will be progress despite the periodical provocative comments coming from either side of this impassioned region of conflict within the Middle East. Should we really expect anything different?
If it floats your boat you have every right to question the world's opinion. You should realize, though, that if it comes to Israel against the world, the world will win.
"The bottom line is simple. Israel can have US mediated negotiations, or it can put itself in the position of defying the world." When the world tells Jews they don't have the right to reclaim properties they were only absent from for 19 years, you'd have to question the legitimacy of the world's opinion.
Jews don't have a right to reclaim anything, you clown. In 1948 Jews didn't have anything to claim as its own until UN181 permitted Israel to declare statehood. Part II of 181 delineated in specific detail the borders of the land in which Israel would have sovereignty. Those borders did not, and do not, include the land Israel now occupies in violation of international law. We didn't reclaim anything anything but a lousy reputation, which you prove to the world we deserve.
Are as unrealistic and based on wishfull thinking as the idea of Greater Israel itself.
We are still waiting for your response. You maintain that Jesus Christ had a nickname of, "the fighter," and was a radical leader in the armed resistance against the Romans? You also maintain that Christ was a weapons runner? You have been asked if you have any biblical or scholarly references to support your claims, or did you find that information somewhere in the Talmud? You have not answered. If you forget to respond, I shall remind you again.
The bottom line is simple. Israel can have US mediated negotiations, or it can put itself in the position of defying the world.
"The US claims to be an impartial mediator but in fact acts like the good lawyer of Israel , protects Israel`s interest first and foremost ( even at the cost of its own interest)"
The responsible nations of the world need to provide leadership on creating peace in the Middle East. If Israel continues it's disdain for it's neighbors and it's historic protectors, the Quartet should begin organizing economic sanctions against Israel.
When one looks back, it is clearly seen that the greater the "friendship" of a US President to Israel (meaning that he applies less pressure on Israel to pursue peace), the less is accomplished. Our greatest "friends" were Clinton and G. Dubya Bush. Clinton did everything Barak asked him to do, including in Camp David. The result: no peace, only Intifada II. Dubya Bush came up with the Roadmap, a plan but no pressure on Israel. Nothing useful resulted. Looking back at the "bad" presidents, Nixon helped Israel with military equipment in Yom Kippur, but then prevented Israel from vanquishing the Egyptian Third Army. He preserved Egypt's honor, and peace became possible. Carter was even insulting in his pressure on Begin. But he ended up godfathering the Peace Agreement with Sadat. Papa Bush was publicly pushing Shamir, even causing his regime to fall, This resulted in the Madrid Conference which led to Oslo. Obama seems to be made of a different stuff, including the quality of "greatness". He aspires to do what is "right", more than what political considerations dictate, as he did with healthcare. If the Likud brings upon us an imposed international solution, so be it. The cure will be better than the continuation of the present diseased situation.
They have to want a state, not just in theory, but in reality.
All the US needs to do is switch all that foreign aide given Israel to the new Palestinian State.
Hopefully, a world summit on the Mideast will finally bring some sanity to the lunacy of current Israeli policy.
Why is Israeli policy insane? The liberal democratic state of Israel is opposed on all sides by anti-democratic regimes that veer from autocratic monarchies to islamic fundamentalism in the blink of an eye. No one should ever negotiate with terrorists. Democrats need to support democratic states. The PA whether Hamas or PLO oscillates between extremism and corruption and has not yet shown any prospect that it wants peace or indeed that it has the capacity or willingness to deliver peace. What sort of people encourage children to become suicide bombers? Meanwhile, Israel remians at the risk of Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran attacking a socveriegn nation state. Insanity is allowing Iran to become a nuclear state. Unless of course you are a closet Nazi who seeks the mass destruction of Jews again.
"What kind of people encourage children to become suicide bombers" desperate people trapped in an insane and hopeless situation, thanks to Israel's hypocrisy regarding the peace process Who are the 'closet Nazis' here?
Obama has given Israelis a stark choice - they can sit down and negotiate with the Palestinians which would give Israel a measure of control, or the "quartet" will impose a peace of their design. I think Israel will get a better deal if it negotiates.
NATO and Russian air-force champing at the bit to destroy Israeli infrastructure thus forcing final capitulation.
and it is in its very ineterst to establish a just peace in the Middle East. That said , the US "monopolizes" the talks and does not let any other power ( UN , European Union who share an interest in said peace) , pressure Israel to achieve said peace. The US claims to be an impartial mediator but in fact acts like the good lawyer of Israel , protects Israel's interest first and foremost ( even at the cost of its own interest) . The MW conflict and the relationship witgh israel is not a foreign policy issue for the US , It is a doemstic policy issue and that is a big problem to overcome....
Of course the american taxpayer is footing the bill!
and for WHOM it's intended. It's being sent to Netanyahu, and what Obama is making clear is that he fully intends to see the Palestinian state created during his presidency, and the implication is quite clear; that either Israel work toward that end in a sincere and responsible manner, or look for it to be imposed by the international community.
... exactly what I had foreseen a year ago, when I pointed out a principle in chess (and bridge too) of sacrificing material to win the game - the superiority of mind over crass materialism! The same with our government. By giving in the minimum it could have obtained maximum possible advantage (within reason). But now, after our not giving an inch, President Obama will bring tens of countries who will ask the impossible ... under his benevolent eyes ... Only Ehud Barak saw what's coming. But Lieberman was stronger...and Netanyahu followed the line of minimum resistance. Nobody can win that way!
Any imposed solution will weaken Israel obviously - which appears to be the intent of our current President - just like he was intent on weakening health care. very ugly, and will take years to fix.
Any American plan for peace will look more and less as Clinton's proposals in 2000. There is no need to explain who accepted and who rejected/posponed/proposed how to surpass them in Taba. Palestinians won't accept a non satisfactory solution ( in their mind)to the refugees question, wont accept the "american-israeli plan" for territorial swap and wont accept Israel presence in the Temple Mount. I would like very much to see, who in America (even Obama) would join the palestinian plea on those issues. Moreover, most probably Obama will lost its majority in Congress. He can force Natanyahu to freeze settlements and enter into a dialogue with palestinians, but will never convience Americans that Israel should accept palestinians demands.
... peace effort that Obama has made, either overtly or subvertly... ... from now on Obama will anticipate Israel's refractory responses, and already have something more decisive up-his-sleeve... ... on with the play!... this is getting interesting... Obama is beginning to act like a seasoned statesman...
Such entertaining theatrics and fiction...
Well this is different news now. Obama seems to be serious about his demands from Israel and I am not sure how this will end up. A global summit on mideast peace will definitely either embarrass and isolate Israeli if they said no to international demands or lead to an international recognition of a Palestinian state. I just hope any coming peace plan will ensure an independent Palestinian state with E. Jerusalem as its capital. Finger crossed for peace.
Which concessions has Israel made, Ralph? It has violated all the principles of the Oslo Accords. It is occupying the West Bank and East Jerusalem more than ever.
S: "Clearly an international summit is expected to rubber stamp the peace agreement which PM Netanyahu and President Abbas intend to ratify by the autumn of this year 2010 " Yeah, and we can all stand there whistling in the dark while we wait for autumn to roll past. Or, of course, this international summit could ALSO be convened to rubber stamp a unilateral declaration of independence by Abbas, with a quick "and don't you lift a finger against it!" thrown in the general direction of Netanyahu. Six of one, half-dozen of the other. But either is possible, and Obama is aware of that - even if you are not. But, either way, the status quo is doomed.
M: "Submit the whole thing to binding arbitration. Each side picks an arbitrator and the two pick a third. Majority opinion rules." No need. Just let everyone know that if the present negotiations stagnate then the UN Security Council will send this question: "What are the legal boundaries of the state of Israel?" to the International Court of Justice for an advisory opinion. Make sure that everyone is under NO illusion i.e. the "opinion" of that court will be accepted by the UNSC, and it will become a binding "decision" of the UNSC under Article 25 of the UN Charter. That will concentrate minds wonderfully well, because the UNSC will not be "defining" the borders of Israel i.e. it will merely be accepting that these are what Israel's borders have *ALWAYS* *BEEN*. That would be a disaster for Israel, and the only way it can avoid that disaster would be to cut a generous deal with Abbas - and be damn quick about it.
By announcing a summit if the talks fail he is clearly letting Abbas know that if he holds out and refuses any compromise he will get more. How bizarre - every country that wins a war gets to set the terms for peace, except Israel.
because the handwriting seems to be on the wall. Between this promise by Obama, the Quartet's recently stated resolve toward the same, and the word of his intent to call a summit if the talks fail; things are definitely looking up for the creation of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders. And anyone who doesn't think that Netanyahu and his bunch aren't worried about the prospects is fooling himself. And what Obama, and more recently Clinton, have said is that the "United States" does not intend to impose a settlement; they've said nothing about not supporting an internationally imposed settlement or perhaps even a unilaterally declared Palestinian state. And either of these two is likely to fly, especially with the U.S. supporting it. Most, if not all, of the western countries will follow the U.S. lead on the issue. Look for Netanyahu to get a bit more serious about it in the near future, and also look for attempts by Israel to stir up the hornets nest; because a flare up of the conflict is the ONLY viable alternative that Israel has to fend off what appears to be in the making. But then the Palestinians are a little better at restraint than they once were. And the goods news is that Israel's not likely to be able to swing anything without the world knowing that it has. Those days are over.
The Jewish people are facing a genocidal enemy spread across the globe. The name of that enemy is Shariah - the establishment of a Global Islamic Empire by any and all means possible. Obama is its willing and active agent in DC. The "Palestinians" have no desire to live alongside Israel in peace, or to permit Israel's survival. They say so openly and have succeeded in turning much of the world's population against Israel. Nonetheless, that doesn't make the campaign correct. The solution? Easy: the last and complete defeat of the "Palestinians" and the development of af a new sincere attitude toward peace with Israel!
This would be a recipe for war not peace. http://israelprotect.blogspot.com
the peace agreement which PM Netanyahu and President Abbas intend to ratify by the autumn of this year 2010, having addressed all the core issues as stated by the parties. The Quartet has made considerable peacemaking efforts throughout the years and it's only sensible to provide an international forum recognizing the two states alongside one another, Israel and Palestine, as they've repeatedly reiterated over the decades.
This has been going on for far too long. Everyone is sick of it. You should be too. Submit the whole thing to binding arbitration. Each side picks an arbitrator and the two pick a third. Majority opinion rules. That's it. If you really want to do this justice then the United Nations will have to be included as a necessary party because they caused the whole problem in the first place. They installed persecuted Jews into an are where others resided without paying compensation to the displaced. What did you expect? Complacency? 60 years of war is more like it.
It is heartwarming to see an American president who is fully committed to bringing an end to this sad conflict. Israel will do every trick to avoid the American and European pressure, it will do what it had always done in the past when it got under pressure, it will dissolve the government, wait 3 months for elections and another 3 to form a government. This strategy worked several times in the past. The world community need to avoid this strategy by forcing Israel to abide by resolution 242 and 338 and making it clear that he settlements are illegal in all the occupied territories including East Jerusalem. Israel is the obstructionist and should the world community take the 242 route, Israel will have no say in the matter and will have to withdraw like it did in 1956 when the Americans put their foot down their throat.