12 apr 2015
After finally announcing her bid for the US presidency, Ynet takes a look back at Clinton's positions on Israel, starting from her time as a first lady, then as a senator, until leading US foreign policy as secretary of state.
After months of speculation and anticipation, Hillary Clinton finally announced Sunday she is running for president of the United States. Much ink has and will be spilled on her positions in both the domestic and foreign arenas – but in the meantime, Ynet takes a look back at her position regarding Israel.
With her experience as first lady, senator and US secretary of state, Clinton has countless hours of meetings with Israeli leaders like Rabin, Peres, Barak, and Netanyahu under her belt; and has also been at the forefront of pro-Israel legislation in the Senate. Clinton understands Israel's complex reality better than most contemporary American politicians – possibly even better than her husband, Bill Clinton.
However, while Clinton is perceived as a long time Israel supporter, there were some controversial moments throughout her career which have cast doubt on the firmness of her position.
First Lady (1993–2001)
One of those instances occurred in 1988, when she joined her husband and then President Bill Clinton for a visit in the Gaza Strip. During their stay, Mrs. Clinton joined Suha Arafat, the widow of Yasser Arafat, for a visit at a kindergarten in the Palestinian territories, where she listened to Arafat openly accuse Israel of fouling the drinking water supply for Palestinians with uranium.
After the remarks, Clinton embraced Arafat and kissed her on the cheeks, a photo that made headlines around the world. Clinton's official condemnation of Arafat's remarks was made only on the subsequent day, prompting the left-wing in Israel to accuse her of support of the Palestinians.
In 1999, when Clinton was running for senator, she told Jewish leaders she considers Jerusalem "the eternal and indivisible capital" of Israel - a statement she later partially backtracked on - adding that she will advocate moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
In a letter she wrote at the time, she said that "If I am chosen by New Yorkers to be their senator, or in whatever position I find myself in the years to come, you can be sure that I will be an active, committed advocate for a strong and secure Israel, able to live in peace with its neighbors, with the United States Embassy located in its capital, Jerusalem."
US senator (2001–2009)
Clinton visited Israel again in 2005, this time as a senator. During a trip to the West Bank, she voiced her support of Israel's separation barrier, saying: "This is not against the Palestinian people. This is against the terrorists. The Palestinian people have to help to prevent terrorism. They have to change the attitudes about terrorism."
In 2006, Clinton spoke at a pro-Israel rally outside of the United Nations headquarters in New York, and expressed her support for Israel's retaliation efforts in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict. The senator condemned Hamas and Hezbollah, saying: "We are here to show solidarity and support for Israel. We will stand with Israel, because Israel is standing for American values as well as Israeli ones."
Clinton also condemned Palestinian textbooks, saying they indoctrinate children towards incitement, and fail to provide them with an education.
"I believe that education is one of the keys to lasting peace in the Middle East... there still has not been an adequate repudiation of incitement by the Palestinian Authority. It is even more disturbing that the problem appears to have gotten worse. These textbooks don't give Palestinian children an education, they give them an indoctrination," she said.
Secretary of State (2009–2013)
After failing to win the Democratic nomination, losing out to now-President Obama, Clinton was appointed secretary of state, during which time she attempted to restart peace talks and embraced the standard American position towards Israel, but taking a hard-line against settlements.
Nonetheless, Clinton made it clear in 2009 that a halt on settlement construction in the West Bank was not a pre-condition for the resumption of talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
"There has never been a pre-condition. It's always been an issue within the negotiations," Clinton said about the settlements.
"I want to see both sides as soon as possible begin in negotiations," said Clinton. "Both president Obama and I are committed to a comprehensive peace agreement."
In 2011, Clinton made comments showing a shift on her stance on Israel's capital when she was senator, warning against American action towards recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, saying that it would jeopardize the peace process. Also in 2011, Clinton said that the path to a two-state solution creating a Palestinian state beside Israel runs through Jerusalem and Ramallah, not through New York - a refrence to the Palestinian's attempt to attain statehood through the UN.
Speaking at a news conference at the time, Clinton repeated the US view that the Palestinians should not seek full membership in the United Nations and instead should resume direct talks with the Israelis.
"We need an environment that is conducive to direct negotiations," she said. "We all know that no matter what happens or doesn't happen at the UN the next day is not going to result the kind of changes the United States wishes to see that will move us toward the two state solution that we strongly support.
In 2012, the then Secretary of State reiterated her stance that the Palestinian Authority "took a step in wrong direction" with its UN bid, but also called on Israel to make efforts to advance peace talks. "America supports the goal of a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel but this week's vote at the UN won't bring the Palestinians any closer to that goal," she said. "President Abbas took a step in the wrong direction this week . We opposed his resolution. But we also need to see that the PA in the west bank still offers the most compelling alternative to rockets and resistance.
"Israel needs to help those committed to peace," she added, referring to Abbas and then-Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad, whom she lauded for their achievements in overhauling institutions in the PA and cooperating with Israel over security.
Speaking at the 2012 Saban Forum, Clinton recalled how late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat rejected then-prime minister Ehud Barak's peace proposal at Camp David, and how Arafat called her husband, Bill Clinton, years later, after the latter was no longer in office, and asked to accept the deal.
"And Bill says, 'well, that's terrific, why don’t you call the white house and tell them that,'" she recounted.
In other comments during that speech, she also warned Israel that it could not use the protection of the Iron Dome as a long-term solution.
"A strong Israeli military is always essential, but no defense is perfect. And over the long run, nothing would do more to secure Israel’s future as a Jewish, democratic state than a comprehensive peace," Clinton said, attempting to explain that a two-state solution was the only solution for Israel's future.
Tough love
Alongside heartfelt conclusions of friendly ties with Israel, Clinton spared no criticism of Israeli diplomacy, saying that nothing will ensure the future of Israel than peace: "Without peace, Israel will be forced to build ever more powerful defenses against ever more dangerous rockets.
"And without peace, the inexorable math of demographics will, one day, force Israelis to choose between preserving their democracy and remaining a Jewish homeland.
Also in 2012, Clinton said that "protecting Israel's future is not simply a matter of policy for me, it's personal. I know with all my heart how important it is that our relation goes from strength to strength. I am looking forward to returning to Israel as a private citizen on a commercial plane."
Presidential hopeful
In 2013, the secretary of state delivered a stinging rebuke to Prime Minister Netanyahu for his government's announcement of new Jewish housing in east Jerusalem.
In an interview with CNN, Clinton said the move was "insulting" to the US. "We have to make clear to our Israeli friends and partner that the two-state solution which we support, which the prime minister himself said he supports, requires confidence-building measures on both sides," she said.
Clinton sat down for another interview with CNN in 2014 in which she criticized Israel's settlement activity, saying it is her "biggest complaint with the Israeli government." "I am a strong supporter of Israel, strong supporter of their right to defend themselves. But the continuing settlements which have been denounced by successive American administrations on both sides of the aisle are clearly a terrible signal to send if at the same time you claim you're looking for a two-state solution. " Later that year, Clinton recapped her years as secretary of state in an informal farewell party by Israeli American businessman Haim Saban, where she spoke with affection of the State of Israel, saying that defending Israel was not only a policy issue but also a personal one.
"Protecting Israel’s future is not simply a question of policy for me, it’s personal. I’ve talked with some of you I’ve know for a while about the first trip Bill and I took to Israel so many years ago, shortly after our daughter was born.
"And I have seen the great accomplishments," Clinton added; "the pride of the desert blooming and the start-ups springing up. I’ve held hands with the victims of terrorism in their hospital rooms, visited a bombed-out pizzeria in Jerusalem, walked along the fence near Gilo. And I know with all my heart how important it is that our relationship go from strength to strength."
In an interview with the Atlantic published in 2014, Clinton offered strong support for Israel and for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after Israel drew international condemnation for the deaths of Palestinian non-combatants in Gaza and the destruction of thousands of homes during its month of war with the Islamist movement Hamas. "I think Israel did what it had to do to respond to Hamas rockets. Israel has a right to defend itself.
The steps Hamas has taken to embed rockets and command and control facilities and tunnel entrances in civilian areas, this makes a response by Israel difficult," Clinton said. Questioned about whether Israel has taken enough steps to prevent the deaths of civilians including children, Clinton said the United States also tries to be careful to avoid civilian casualties in war but sometimes mistakes are made.
Iran and US ties
Regarding the nuclear deal with Iran, Clinton echoed Netanyahu, saying she believes that "no deal" with Iran "is better than a bad deal."
"The onus is on Iran and the bar must be set high," said Clinton, who helped lay the groundwork for the diplomacy with Iran as Obama first secretary of state. "There is much to do and much more to say in the months ahead, but for now diplomacy deserves a chance to succeed."
Clinton's first comments on US-Israel relations since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reelection were made late March 2015. The secretary of state said that relations between the US and Israel ought to return to "constructive footing" and stressed the importance of getting back to "basic shared concerns and interests, including a two-state solution."
The comments came at a time of strained relations between the US and Israel, with Netanyahu feuding with the White House over an emerging nuclear deal with Iran. Netanyahu has also come under fire for comments he made in the final days of Israel's parliamentary election.
“Secretary Clinton thinks we need to all work together to return the special US-Israel relationship to constructive footing, to get back to basic shared concerns and interests, including a two-state solution pursued through direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. We must ensure that Israel never becomes a partisan issue," San Diego Jewish World quoting Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, as saying.
Clinton has signaled that she intends to run on strengthening economic security for the middle class and expanding opportunities for working families: "Everyday Americans need of a champion. I want to be the champion,I leave the field to win your vote," she said.
"Americans have fought their way back from tough economic times, but the deck is still stacked in favor of those at the top," she said in a video released Sunday with the announcement.
Clinton will try again to crack what she calls "the highest and hardest glass ceiling" when she starts a long-awaited second run for the White House as the prohibitive Democratic front runner.
After months of speculation and anticipation, Hillary Clinton finally announced Sunday she is running for president of the United States. Much ink has and will be spilled on her positions in both the domestic and foreign arenas – but in the meantime, Ynet takes a look back at her position regarding Israel.
With her experience as first lady, senator and US secretary of state, Clinton has countless hours of meetings with Israeli leaders like Rabin, Peres, Barak, and Netanyahu under her belt; and has also been at the forefront of pro-Israel legislation in the Senate. Clinton understands Israel's complex reality better than most contemporary American politicians – possibly even better than her husband, Bill Clinton.
However, while Clinton is perceived as a long time Israel supporter, there were some controversial moments throughout her career which have cast doubt on the firmness of her position.
First Lady (1993–2001)
One of those instances occurred in 1988, when she joined her husband and then President Bill Clinton for a visit in the Gaza Strip. During their stay, Mrs. Clinton joined Suha Arafat, the widow of Yasser Arafat, for a visit at a kindergarten in the Palestinian territories, where she listened to Arafat openly accuse Israel of fouling the drinking water supply for Palestinians with uranium.
After the remarks, Clinton embraced Arafat and kissed her on the cheeks, a photo that made headlines around the world. Clinton's official condemnation of Arafat's remarks was made only on the subsequent day, prompting the left-wing in Israel to accuse her of support of the Palestinians.
In 1999, when Clinton was running for senator, she told Jewish leaders she considers Jerusalem "the eternal and indivisible capital" of Israel - a statement she later partially backtracked on - adding that she will advocate moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
In a letter she wrote at the time, she said that "If I am chosen by New Yorkers to be their senator, or in whatever position I find myself in the years to come, you can be sure that I will be an active, committed advocate for a strong and secure Israel, able to live in peace with its neighbors, with the United States Embassy located in its capital, Jerusalem."
US senator (2001–2009)
Clinton visited Israel again in 2005, this time as a senator. During a trip to the West Bank, she voiced her support of Israel's separation barrier, saying: "This is not against the Palestinian people. This is against the terrorists. The Palestinian people have to help to prevent terrorism. They have to change the attitudes about terrorism."
In 2006, Clinton spoke at a pro-Israel rally outside of the United Nations headquarters in New York, and expressed her support for Israel's retaliation efforts in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict. The senator condemned Hamas and Hezbollah, saying: "We are here to show solidarity and support for Israel. We will stand with Israel, because Israel is standing for American values as well as Israeli ones."
Clinton also condemned Palestinian textbooks, saying they indoctrinate children towards incitement, and fail to provide them with an education.
"I believe that education is one of the keys to lasting peace in the Middle East... there still has not been an adequate repudiation of incitement by the Palestinian Authority. It is even more disturbing that the problem appears to have gotten worse. These textbooks don't give Palestinian children an education, they give them an indoctrination," she said.
Secretary of State (2009–2013)
After failing to win the Democratic nomination, losing out to now-President Obama, Clinton was appointed secretary of state, during which time she attempted to restart peace talks and embraced the standard American position towards Israel, but taking a hard-line against settlements.
Nonetheless, Clinton made it clear in 2009 that a halt on settlement construction in the West Bank was not a pre-condition for the resumption of talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
"There has never been a pre-condition. It's always been an issue within the negotiations," Clinton said about the settlements.
"I want to see both sides as soon as possible begin in negotiations," said Clinton. "Both president Obama and I are committed to a comprehensive peace agreement."
In 2011, Clinton made comments showing a shift on her stance on Israel's capital when she was senator, warning against American action towards recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, saying that it would jeopardize the peace process. Also in 2011, Clinton said that the path to a two-state solution creating a Palestinian state beside Israel runs through Jerusalem and Ramallah, not through New York - a refrence to the Palestinian's attempt to attain statehood through the UN.
Speaking at a news conference at the time, Clinton repeated the US view that the Palestinians should not seek full membership in the United Nations and instead should resume direct talks with the Israelis.
"We need an environment that is conducive to direct negotiations," she said. "We all know that no matter what happens or doesn't happen at the UN the next day is not going to result the kind of changes the United States wishes to see that will move us toward the two state solution that we strongly support.
In 2012, the then Secretary of State reiterated her stance that the Palestinian Authority "took a step in wrong direction" with its UN bid, but also called on Israel to make efforts to advance peace talks. "America supports the goal of a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel but this week's vote at the UN won't bring the Palestinians any closer to that goal," she said. "President Abbas took a step in the wrong direction this week . We opposed his resolution. But we also need to see that the PA in the west bank still offers the most compelling alternative to rockets and resistance.
"Israel needs to help those committed to peace," she added, referring to Abbas and then-Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad, whom she lauded for their achievements in overhauling institutions in the PA and cooperating with Israel over security.
Speaking at the 2012 Saban Forum, Clinton recalled how late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat rejected then-prime minister Ehud Barak's peace proposal at Camp David, and how Arafat called her husband, Bill Clinton, years later, after the latter was no longer in office, and asked to accept the deal.
"And Bill says, 'well, that's terrific, why don’t you call the white house and tell them that,'" she recounted.
In other comments during that speech, she also warned Israel that it could not use the protection of the Iron Dome as a long-term solution.
"A strong Israeli military is always essential, but no defense is perfect. And over the long run, nothing would do more to secure Israel’s future as a Jewish, democratic state than a comprehensive peace," Clinton said, attempting to explain that a two-state solution was the only solution for Israel's future.
Tough love
Alongside heartfelt conclusions of friendly ties with Israel, Clinton spared no criticism of Israeli diplomacy, saying that nothing will ensure the future of Israel than peace: "Without peace, Israel will be forced to build ever more powerful defenses against ever more dangerous rockets.
"And without peace, the inexorable math of demographics will, one day, force Israelis to choose between preserving their democracy and remaining a Jewish homeland.
Also in 2012, Clinton said that "protecting Israel's future is not simply a matter of policy for me, it's personal. I know with all my heart how important it is that our relation goes from strength to strength. I am looking forward to returning to Israel as a private citizen on a commercial plane."
Presidential hopeful
In 2013, the secretary of state delivered a stinging rebuke to Prime Minister Netanyahu for his government's announcement of new Jewish housing in east Jerusalem.
In an interview with CNN, Clinton said the move was "insulting" to the US. "We have to make clear to our Israeli friends and partner that the two-state solution which we support, which the prime minister himself said he supports, requires confidence-building measures on both sides," she said.
Clinton sat down for another interview with CNN in 2014 in which she criticized Israel's settlement activity, saying it is her "biggest complaint with the Israeli government." "I am a strong supporter of Israel, strong supporter of their right to defend themselves. But the continuing settlements which have been denounced by successive American administrations on both sides of the aisle are clearly a terrible signal to send if at the same time you claim you're looking for a two-state solution. " Later that year, Clinton recapped her years as secretary of state in an informal farewell party by Israeli American businessman Haim Saban, where she spoke with affection of the State of Israel, saying that defending Israel was not only a policy issue but also a personal one.
"Protecting Israel’s future is not simply a question of policy for me, it’s personal. I’ve talked with some of you I’ve know for a while about the first trip Bill and I took to Israel so many years ago, shortly after our daughter was born.
"And I have seen the great accomplishments," Clinton added; "the pride of the desert blooming and the start-ups springing up. I’ve held hands with the victims of terrorism in their hospital rooms, visited a bombed-out pizzeria in Jerusalem, walked along the fence near Gilo. And I know with all my heart how important it is that our relationship go from strength to strength."
In an interview with the Atlantic published in 2014, Clinton offered strong support for Israel and for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after Israel drew international condemnation for the deaths of Palestinian non-combatants in Gaza and the destruction of thousands of homes during its month of war with the Islamist movement Hamas. "I think Israel did what it had to do to respond to Hamas rockets. Israel has a right to defend itself.
The steps Hamas has taken to embed rockets and command and control facilities and tunnel entrances in civilian areas, this makes a response by Israel difficult," Clinton said. Questioned about whether Israel has taken enough steps to prevent the deaths of civilians including children, Clinton said the United States also tries to be careful to avoid civilian casualties in war but sometimes mistakes are made.
Iran and US ties
Regarding the nuclear deal with Iran, Clinton echoed Netanyahu, saying she believes that "no deal" with Iran "is better than a bad deal."
"The onus is on Iran and the bar must be set high," said Clinton, who helped lay the groundwork for the diplomacy with Iran as Obama first secretary of state. "There is much to do and much more to say in the months ahead, but for now diplomacy deserves a chance to succeed."
Clinton's first comments on US-Israel relations since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reelection were made late March 2015. The secretary of state said that relations between the US and Israel ought to return to "constructive footing" and stressed the importance of getting back to "basic shared concerns and interests, including a two-state solution."
The comments came at a time of strained relations between the US and Israel, with Netanyahu feuding with the White House over an emerging nuclear deal with Iran. Netanyahu has also come under fire for comments he made in the final days of Israel's parliamentary election.
“Secretary Clinton thinks we need to all work together to return the special US-Israel relationship to constructive footing, to get back to basic shared concerns and interests, including a two-state solution pursued through direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. We must ensure that Israel never becomes a partisan issue," San Diego Jewish World quoting Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, as saying.
Clinton has signaled that she intends to run on strengthening economic security for the middle class and expanding opportunities for working families: "Everyday Americans need of a champion. I want to be the champion,I leave the field to win your vote," she said.
"Americans have fought their way back from tough economic times, but the deck is still stacked in favor of those at the top," she said in a video released Sunday with the announcement.
Clinton will try again to crack what she calls "the highest and hardest glass ceiling" when she starts a long-awaited second run for the White House as the prohibitive Democratic front runner.
24 mar 2015
PLO central committee member, Wassel Abu Yousef, in an exclusive talk with the Palestinian News Network said that recent statements coming from the White House were "late," and that these words should be joined with actions to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, in order to actually give the Palestinian people their right to self-determination.
White House Chief of Staff, Denis McDonough, said on Monday that the crisis in US-Israeli relations over the issue of a Palestinian state has not dissipated, despite Netanyahu's statements during his election campaign, in which he said he will not allow the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Related: Obama Administration on Israeli Election: "Enough With the UN Cover Up"
Abu Yousef assured that McDonough's statements should be proven on the ground and in practice, through bilateral steps to end the illegal Israeli occupation and empower the Palestinian people, after all the crimes committed against it.
McDonough, in his statements to J Street in Washington, said that the US "cannot simply pretend that those comments were never made." He also warned the new Neatanyahu regime not to consider unilateral annexation of any occupied West Bank territory, saying that it would "be both wrong and illegal," and that America would strenuously object.
"Israel cannot maintain military control of another people indefinitely. An occupation that has lasted for almost 50 years must end."
McDonough showed doubts regarding whether Netanyahu really supported the two-state solution:
"After the election, the prime minister said that he had not changed his position, but for many in Israel and in the international community, such contradictory comments call into question his commitment to a two-state solution, as did his suggestion that the construction of settlements has a strategic purpose of dividing Palestinian communities and his claim that conditions in the larger Middle East must be more stable before a Palestinian state can be established," he said. "We cannot simply pretend that those comments were never made, or that they don't raise questions about the prime minister's commitment to achieving peace through direct negotiations."
McDonough called on the two state solution, and demanded to "never stop working" for it. He also warned against any unilateral annexation of lands in the West Bank, saying it "would be both wrong and illegal," that America would never support it, "and it's unlikely Israel's other friends would either. It would only contribute to Israel's isolation."
For further documentation and analysis, see: White House Chief of Staff demands End to Israeli Occupation: Election Time? at NSNBC.
White House Chief of Staff, Denis McDonough, said on Monday that the crisis in US-Israeli relations over the issue of a Palestinian state has not dissipated, despite Netanyahu's statements during his election campaign, in which he said he will not allow the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Related: Obama Administration on Israeli Election: "Enough With the UN Cover Up"
Abu Yousef assured that McDonough's statements should be proven on the ground and in practice, through bilateral steps to end the illegal Israeli occupation and empower the Palestinian people, after all the crimes committed against it.
McDonough, in his statements to J Street in Washington, said that the US "cannot simply pretend that those comments were never made." He also warned the new Neatanyahu regime not to consider unilateral annexation of any occupied West Bank territory, saying that it would "be both wrong and illegal," and that America would strenuously object.
"Israel cannot maintain military control of another people indefinitely. An occupation that has lasted for almost 50 years must end."
McDonough showed doubts regarding whether Netanyahu really supported the two-state solution:
"After the election, the prime minister said that he had not changed his position, but for many in Israel and in the international community, such contradictory comments call into question his commitment to a two-state solution, as did his suggestion that the construction of settlements has a strategic purpose of dividing Palestinian communities and his claim that conditions in the larger Middle East must be more stable before a Palestinian state can be established," he said. "We cannot simply pretend that those comments were never made, or that they don't raise questions about the prime minister's commitment to achieving peace through direct negotiations."
McDonough called on the two state solution, and demanded to "never stop working" for it. He also warned against any unilateral annexation of lands in the West Bank, saying it "would be both wrong and illegal," that America would never support it, "and it's unlikely Israel's other friends would either. It would only contribute to Israel's isolation."
For further documentation and analysis, see: White House Chief of Staff demands End to Israeli Occupation: Election Time? at NSNBC.
23 mar 2015
In first step of Obama administration's 'reassessment' of relations with Jerusalem, American delegation will not take floor at debate on human rights violations in Palestinian territories.
The United States will not take the floor at the main UN human rights forum on Monday during the annual debate on violations committed in the Palestinian territories, a US spokesman told Reuters.
The step, which is unprecedented at the 47-member state forum where Washington unfailingly defends Israel, follows signals that the Obama administration is undertaking a "reassessment" of relations with the Jewish state.
"The US delegation will not be speaking about Palestine today," a US spokesman in Geneva told Reuters in response to a query as the debate began. He declined further comment.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's allies acknowledged on Sunday that his election-eve disavowal of a Palestinian state had caused a rift with the White House, but blamed US President Barack Obama's unprecedented criticism on a misunderstanding.
The United States will not take the floor at the main UN human rights forum on Monday during the annual debate on violations committed in the Palestinian territories, a US spokesman told Reuters.
The step, which is unprecedented at the 47-member state forum where Washington unfailingly defends Israel, follows signals that the Obama administration is undertaking a "reassessment" of relations with the Jewish state.
"The US delegation will not be speaking about Palestine today," a US spokesman in Geneva told Reuters in response to a query as the debate began. He declined further comment.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's allies acknowledged on Sunday that his election-eve disavowal of a Palestinian state had caused a rift with the White House, but blamed US President Barack Obama's unprecedented criticism on a misunderstanding.
22 mar 2015
An earthquake could overwhelm the traditional and strong relations between the United States and Israel. An earthquake called Netanyahu. The re-election of the Prime Minister on Tuesday did not increase the enthusiasm of President Obama, with whom relations have become brittle. But if there was a certainty in the Middle East, it was the unconditional support from Washington to any Israeli Prime Minister.
Even that certainty, now, could crumble: yesterday the Obama administration has raised the possibility of withdrawing their diplomatic cover for Israel at the United Nations, if the renewed leadership will continue in the stated goal to boycott the two-state solution. Bibi had announced the day before the elections of March 17, in an attempt - successful - to grab the votes of the right and the center-right: "If I win, there will never be a State of Palestine."
A statement that, if to the Palestinians does not sound new, has worried the European Union and the White House. Both are well aware that on the Israel land has always prevented, through the wild colonization of the Territories and the untouchable pre-conditions imposed to the negotiating table, the achievement of a final peace agreement. But such statements scare. Causing the unthinkable: the election campaign was "cynical and divisive," say the US, "a pretty clear attempt to marginalize the Arab citizens of Israel."
"The steps that the United States have taken to the United Nations were based on the idea that the two-state solution is the best result - said yesterday the White House spokesman, Joshe Earnest - now our ally said he does not feels more committed to reaching that solution. This means that we will have to re-evaluate our position on the subject”.
If indeed the US abandon Israel in the jungle of the United Nations, where often to save Tel Aviv from resolutions and convictions was the US veto, for Netanyahu could go wrong. After all, Israel lives with funding from the US that cover much of the budget of the army and security and if the break materializes many of Israeli policies may remain dry.
Better try to fix this. So yesterday the confirmed Prime Minister showed up at the Msnbc TV for an interview in which he reassured the ally: it was only talk from the election campaign, the two-state solution remains a beacon for Israel. "I do not want a state, but a sustainable two-state solution, but in order for this to happen the circumstances must change. We cannot impose peace. And in any case, if you want peace, the Palestinian leadership must abandon the pact with Hamas and engage in genuine negotiations with Israel for a possible peace".
Bibi reiterated that a Palestinian State will be possible if demilitarized and if the Palestinian leadership recognize Israel as a Jewish state, a demand that the PA has never wanted to accept because of the consequences that would cause to the Palestinian citizens of Israel, 20% of the total population of Israel.
In short, little changes. The Israeli vision remains the same and based on it, it is really unlikely that the resumption of negotiations, which has been failing for the last 20 years, will occur. The victory of Netanyahu, now the longest-serving leader of Israel, worried Obama that has not even congratulated Bibi for the reelection. The Israeli PM attempts to put patches and announce on television that he had spoken on the phone with US Secretary of State Kerry and wanted to speak with the president as soon as possible in order to "work together".
Eventually, the two have spoken: in the evening yesterday, Obama telephoned Netanyahu and repeated what anticipated by his spokesman. The US president is frustrated by the many failures recorded in the Middle East, by the advance of ISIS to the disintegration of Iraq, for which he had just blamed the US invasion. On the Israel-Palestine peace process a lot has been bet. And everyday it is falling apart a bit more. Would the historic alliance with Israel the one to be at risk? Hard to believe. Obama is in sharp declines of support, with a Congress against and a Republican majority. The next president could go back being a Republican, party strictly connected to Israel, the same that invited Netanyahu before the reelection to speak in Congress despite the opposition of the White House.
Not forgetting the powerful American Jewish lobby, whose money for decades decides who wins and who loses the very same elections.
Even that certainty, now, could crumble: yesterday the Obama administration has raised the possibility of withdrawing their diplomatic cover for Israel at the United Nations, if the renewed leadership will continue in the stated goal to boycott the two-state solution. Bibi had announced the day before the elections of March 17, in an attempt - successful - to grab the votes of the right and the center-right: "If I win, there will never be a State of Palestine."
A statement that, if to the Palestinians does not sound new, has worried the European Union and the White House. Both are well aware that on the Israel land has always prevented, through the wild colonization of the Territories and the untouchable pre-conditions imposed to the negotiating table, the achievement of a final peace agreement. But such statements scare. Causing the unthinkable: the election campaign was "cynical and divisive," say the US, "a pretty clear attempt to marginalize the Arab citizens of Israel."
"The steps that the United States have taken to the United Nations were based on the idea that the two-state solution is the best result - said yesterday the White House spokesman, Joshe Earnest - now our ally said he does not feels more committed to reaching that solution. This means that we will have to re-evaluate our position on the subject”.
If indeed the US abandon Israel in the jungle of the United Nations, where often to save Tel Aviv from resolutions and convictions was the US veto, for Netanyahu could go wrong. After all, Israel lives with funding from the US that cover much of the budget of the army and security and if the break materializes many of Israeli policies may remain dry.
Better try to fix this. So yesterday the confirmed Prime Minister showed up at the Msnbc TV for an interview in which he reassured the ally: it was only talk from the election campaign, the two-state solution remains a beacon for Israel. "I do not want a state, but a sustainable two-state solution, but in order for this to happen the circumstances must change. We cannot impose peace. And in any case, if you want peace, the Palestinian leadership must abandon the pact with Hamas and engage in genuine negotiations with Israel for a possible peace".
Bibi reiterated that a Palestinian State will be possible if demilitarized and if the Palestinian leadership recognize Israel as a Jewish state, a demand that the PA has never wanted to accept because of the consequences that would cause to the Palestinian citizens of Israel, 20% of the total population of Israel.
In short, little changes. The Israeli vision remains the same and based on it, it is really unlikely that the resumption of negotiations, which has been failing for the last 20 years, will occur. The victory of Netanyahu, now the longest-serving leader of Israel, worried Obama that has not even congratulated Bibi for the reelection. The Israeli PM attempts to put patches and announce on television that he had spoken on the phone with US Secretary of State Kerry and wanted to speak with the president as soon as possible in order to "work together".
Eventually, the two have spoken: in the evening yesterday, Obama telephoned Netanyahu and repeated what anticipated by his spokesman. The US president is frustrated by the many failures recorded in the Middle East, by the advance of ISIS to the disintegration of Iraq, for which he had just blamed the US invasion. On the Israel-Palestine peace process a lot has been bet. And everyday it is falling apart a bit more. Would the historic alliance with Israel the one to be at risk? Hard to believe. Obama is in sharp declines of support, with a Congress against and a Republican majority. The next president could go back being a Republican, party strictly connected to Israel, the same that invited Netanyahu before the reelection to speak in Congress despite the opposition of the White House.
Not forgetting the powerful American Jewish lobby, whose money for decades decides who wins and who loses the very same elections.
US president Barack Obama said he informed Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington sees the two-state solution as the only way to provide Israel with sustainable security.
In an interview conducted on Friday by Huffington Post news website, Obama said he told Netanyahu over the phone that the recent remarks he had made during the election campaign of his party would make it difficult for the people to believe that the negotiations would be possible.
"We took him at his word when he said that it would not happen during his prime ministership, and so that is why we have got to evaluate what other options are available to make sure that we do not see a chaotic situation in the region," the president said.
Netanyahu has stated last Monday that a Palestinian state would not be established on his watch, which has drawn sharp criticism from the White House.
In an interview conducted on Friday by Huffington Post news website, Obama said he told Netanyahu over the phone that the recent remarks he had made during the election campaign of his party would make it difficult for the people to believe that the negotiations would be possible.
"We took him at his word when he said that it would not happen during his prime ministership, and so that is why we have got to evaluate what other options are available to make sure that we do not see a chaotic situation in the region," the president said.
Netanyahu has stated last Monday that a Palestinian state would not be established on his watch, which has drawn sharp criticism from the White House.
