On Tuesday, President Obama met with a delegation of leaders from the U.S. Orthodox Jewish community and told them he gives Israel more attention than the Palestinians, and that the window on the peace process has probably closed. Give him points for honesty.
From Haaretz:
U.S. President Barack Obama told a delegation of the U.S. Orthodox Jewish community at the White House on Tuesday that his administration is decidedly more attentive to Israel than it is to the Palestinians.
Obama was speaking at a meeting between White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew and leaders of the Orthodox Jewish community, including Dr. Simcha Katz, Rabbi Steven Burg and Nathan Diament of the Orthodox Union.
Meeting participants who wished to remain nameless told Haaretz that the delegation asked Obama what lessons he has learned from events related to the Israel-Palestine peace process, and that the U.S. president said that it is very difficult, and that there are many possibilities for misunderstanding. There is only tension because both sides feel pressured to compromise, he said.
Obama also said that he understands the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants no restraints, like the leader of any country. He assured his guests that he and Netanyahu get along well on a personal level – but that Netanyahu does not want to appear weak.
In the past, President Obama and other administration officials warned the window of opportunity for making peace might not remain open for long. At Tuesday’s meeting he said that maybe it is already closed, but still expressed hope that progress is still possible, although he admitted that the position of the Palestinians has deteriorated.
“although he admitted that the position of the Palestinians has deteriorated”
sounds like it happened naturally. Rather than that Israel did it
Anyway well done Judaism. You won .
What do you plan to do now with all those stateless and will never have a state Palestinians ?
This is an incredibly irresponsible comment from Obama. The Palestinians have taken a platform of non violent resistance, only to be told that their window of opportunity is increasingly diminishing or even non existent? It’s like their situation isn’t important now they’re not running around with semtex vests on.
So what now? The Palestinians say ‘fu*k it, we’ve got nothing to lose’?
It almost seems like a fait accompli. Perhaps this is why Finkelstein has recently appeared agitated to find a resolution soon within the confines of law. Jeff Halper recently said it’s all over for Palestinians in East Jerusalem.
Wholly depressing…….
“The position of the Palestinians has deteriorated?” That’s putting it mildly. We will never see a free Palestine.
i think what’s over is any pretense the US can be anything but israel’s broker in dealing with the conflict.
Translation : Elections are coming, and i need AIPAC votes & funding too. Anyway, story which we know already. Race for AIPAC support is on.
Of course, because its you who is on the leash. Your clever enough to admit that it ain’t nice place to be.
Except when someone leaves mic open, you tell something else. Bummer.