Ron Kampeas at the JTA thinks so. Kerry is back in DC after seeing the devastation in Gaza first hand. Now he's talking about it and preparing policy recommendations for Obama. Kampeas refers to Kerry as "a stalking horse" in his report on Kerry's recent speech to the Saban Center of the Brookings Institution:
Kerry, whose endorsement during the primaries was a major boost to the Obama campaign, spoke with the assurance of a stalking horse.
"The Obama administration presents an extraordinary opportunity for a new beginning where America reclaims the role of an active and creative agent for peace," he said. . .
On West Bank settlements, Kerry said U.S. policy opposing expansion for decades has "existed on paper alone.""Nothing will do more to make clear our seriousness about turning the page than demonstrating — with actions rather than words — that we are serious about Israel freezing settlement activity in the West Bank," Kerry said.He refused to elaborate what actions except to say that he would bring them up in his meeting with Obama.While other Obama officials have chosen to emphasize the two-state solution rather than directly rebut Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu's proposal to stoke the Palestinian economy before considering statehood, Kerry was blunt."I do agree, absolutely, it is not an alternative," Kerry said when asked about Netanyahu's plan. "The economy is not an alternative to a two-state solution."
Kerry has come home with a three point plan: rapid progress toward a two-state solution, penalties for Israel settlement expansion and engagement with Syria. So far in the new administration, Obama has been silent, Clinton has been conciliatory and Kerry has come out swinging. Is this disagreement or strategy? Is the administration getting its ducks in a row for the upcoming collision?
