Bruce Wolman writes from Norway:
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier demanded an end to all settlement building in East Jerusalem and the West Bank in an interview with the German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung, published on Saturday, and then widely distributed by the German Press Agency, DPA.
Steinmeier stated that it is "not acceptable" to found new settlements or expand existing ones. He made certain to add that Germany and the United States are in agreement on this point.
Only stating the obvious. Germany of all European countries would not get ahead of the US in criticizing Israel. The Foreign Minister's statement indicates that the US is serious about going toe-to-toe with the Israelis on settlements, and that it is gathering its European allies on board.
Moreover, Steinmeier insisted that the EU and the United States must "speak with one voice" when it comes to the Middle East peace process, as if Europe hasn't subordinated itself to the US for at least the last sixteen years when it comes to reaching a peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians. The last independent effort was Norway's, which helped the two parties negotiate the Oslo Accords.
We should learn more about the European Union's future intentions (and hence the Obama administration's I-P strategy) after the EU's foreign ministers meeting on June 15th. The ministers are gathering to reach "a new joint position on developments in the Middle East." Steinmeier is in favor of involving the entire region in the effort, including countries such as Syria and Lebanon. "Regionally embedding talks between Palestinians and Israelis is crucial to the chances of success," Steinmeier said, concluding that failure is not an option.
Whether the settlement issue is a smokescreen by which the US hopes to give Middle Eastern allies cover to accept efforts to halt Iran's nuclear program, or a serious step towards pressuring the Israelis to accede to the establishment of a Palestinian state, remains to be seen.
