Is The Middle East Ready For An Obama Peace Plan?

Yahoo! News:

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- Washington's foreign policy echo chamber is reverberating with speculation that President Barack Obama could try to blow open the deadlock between Israelis and Palestinians with his own peace plan.

Read the whole story: Yahoo! News

Comments

[dumbeddown]

08:52 AM on 04/20/2010

Wednesday, 28 March 2007

Arab leaders relaunch peace plan
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah (right) greets Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas on 27 March 2007
The summit brings together top leaders from Arab states
Arab leaders holding a summit in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, have urged Israel to accept an Arab peace initiative first proposed in 2002.

Israel rejected the 2002 plan outright after it was first proposed at an Arab summit in Beirut.

However, the foreign policy spokesman for Israel's right-wing Likud party told the BBC that Israel could never accept the parts of the plan that call for the return of refugees who had lived in the territory of pre-1967 Israel.

"If 300,000-400,000, or maybe a million, Palestinians would invade the country, that would be the end of the state of Israel as a Jewish state," he said.

"That's not why we created the state."

[blackjack12]

10:05 PM on 04/19/2010

How is Obama going to push peace with hamas a little tricky no????

[reciprocat]

01:26 AM on 04/20/2010

Pushing peace is "tricky"? No.

Now, pushing b.s.? ...that can be tricky.

...but the mighty USA really PUSHING peace? well, it may encounter obstacles but "trickiness"? NO TRICKS NEEDED. ...actually, it's an idea that beautiful in it's simplicity...and is simply beautiful. :-)

[E-MU]

12:01 PM on 04/20/2010

Blackjack has a good point. A US plan will require, somehow, that the US enforce it. We bolster the Egypt-Israel pact with money and monitors - when Rumsfeld suggested removing US troops/monitors he was slammed for it. And that was for a deal that resulted from Egyptian and Israeli initiatives. An imposed deal will be, in many ways, more expensive.

What will be the rules of engagement for Israeli responses to Hamas/terrorist violations? What does the US do when Israel oversteps them?
What will be US on the ground responsibilities? US troops? How much money will it cost us? Who will monitor the weapons going into the new Pal. country? How will the US respond when illegal arms enter? Do the Israelis have the right to stop them? Will Palestine be a US ally? Will we have to include it in a security arrangement? How do we deal with Palestinian infighting? Must the Palestinians change their internal institutions (schools, media, text books, etc. to reflect that Israel has made peace with them) and will the US enforce such changes?

A Pax Americana is not "simply beautiful" - in fact, it could be a mares nest of obligations and frustrations. Even if it works (and how do we define "work") Its no easy matter.

[Arik5555]

05:49 PM on 04/19/2010

Enough with the politically correct Leftist bias. The real question should be are Arabs ready to accept a Jewish state in the Middle East.

This is what a real peace plan should be all about. The secund question should be: has the Obama administration the capability to achieve such a result. The answer is no.

[petera63]

08:15 PM on 04/19/2010

100% agree.

[blackjack12]

09:59 PM on 04/19/2010

agreed.....

[Richard Pearce]

05:43 PM on 04/19/2010

Well, here's a link to what a man who fought on the front lines to create the conditions needed for the founding of the Jewish state says an American peace plan would have to have to become the starting point for a lasting peace.

"In Israel, Obama will have to take into consideration the real fears of a Holocaust-troubled people, to plant again the seeds of hope, to create the faith that there is a place for Israel in the family of Middle Eastern nations, to reinforce the conviction that the US will not abandon Israel in any future crisis, but also to warn of the severe dangers facing Israel if the two-state solution is not realized very soon.

In Palestine he will have to take into consideration the fears of a Naqba-injured and occupation-damaged people; to promise the realization of the Palestinians’ hope for independence within two years, to guarantee that the US will not allow ethnic cleansing, but also to point out the existential danger that threatens them if the State of Palestine does not soon come into being next to Israel. He must also lift the veto the US has imposed on Fatah-Hamas reconciliation.

To both peoples Obama must submit a fair, balanced and realistic peace plan, going into the smallest details and with a reasonable yet fixed time-table, a plan that allows each side to claim victory."

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=277201

[hemara]

01:26 AM on 04/20/2010

That is a great article, thanks for the link RP. If the Clinton Parameters are Obama's base plan I think it'll be doomed, but the idea of the Obama visit has great promise.

[cincinnati]

04:45 AM on 04/23/2010

But after over 60 years why is this OUR mess?

Israel, supposedly a close ally, takes billions from us it does not need, then has the gaul to insult every US President of the last 30 years, over and over. It spys on us, it takes our technology. Why should we stick our neck out for them, again and again?

The Arabs in that area do not benefit nearly as much, or even insult us as much, but clearly have serious problems and can be difficult to deal with.

So let's get out, no more money for anyone, and let them figure it out !
If we help find peace someone will be angry with the US !
If peace breaks down someone will be angry with the US !
If they can not want peace as badly as Northern Ireland did, then maybe they need another
10-20 years of killing. That is their choice, leave us out of it.

[Pandaforum]

04:50 PM on 04/19/2010

obama is an anti-Zionist and Israel should not take any actions obama tries to rammed down their throats. Netanyahu needs to hold on until the 2010 elections. obama will be on a tighter leash then.

[Theou]

09:54 PM on 04/19/2010

" obama will be on a tighter leash then."
A very patriotic remark Pandaforum.

[Paula Ann]

01:04 AM on 04/20/2010

.....if panda is israeli

[cincinnati]

04:47 AM on 04/23/2010

Probably from a right wing settlement on the West Bank.
Did you burn down an Arab olive grove to get that land ?

Maybe you do live in the US but with a dual passport,
so if this is not your "first" country then get out !

[Talab]

01:39 AM on 04/20/2010

Panda is that a smudge of TEA on your lips , hahahaha when the highly vaunted "overturn" of Obama's base after getting healthcare reform , better relations with all nations , and the disgust of americans watching republicans stand up for wall street and big banks after narrowly avoiding a depression i think you are the one that will be suprised after the November elections

[banja]

03:09 PM on 04/19/2010

"they have to want it more than we do " Sec James Baker

[cincinnati]

03:04 PM on 04/19/2010

If you click on this story it takes you to yahoo, which tends to have right wing titles and stories, as does AOL. We do not need links to them or nutty Fox or it's Wall St. Journal.

One thing is clear about the Middle East, especially around Israel.

The US will be blamed by everyone for certain issues EVEN IF WE HELP FIND PEACE !
The US will be blamed if it has problems.
The US will be blamed if it falls apart.

SO let's get out, no money, no advise, and so no blame.

[hibeam]

02:38 PM on 04/19/2010

Maybe Obama can do for Mideast peace what he did for American health care? Why should we be the only country enjoying the benefits of super bankruptcy and exploding deficits.

[Antifascist-08]

02:43 PM on 04/19/2010

Little parrot want a cracker?

[cincinnati]

04:50 AM on 04/23/2010

Debt. Why child that started with the GOP !

Where in the world were you when they started Iraq, did you really think
it was only going to cost $ 50 billion, because it already is over $ 1,000 Billions $$$$$

That is YOUR BLUNDER BABY !
$ 10,000 per person as we take 30-40 years and the compounded interest.
$ 40,000 per family $$$$$$$$$

[Fireslayer]

02:36 PM on 04/19/2010

The fact is both highly traumatized parties are incapable of coming to terms.

If Obama really wants to end this he would refer this in good faith back to the United Nations where the internationally sanctioned cluster you know what started and start from scratch on the basis of equality and dignity for all.

[hemara]

01:12 AM on 04/20/2010

FS, I agree that international law is the only way this can be resolved - the peace process has been a fraud from the beginning and always about what Israel wants not what it is entitled to by law.

Trying to impose the Clinton Parameters is really regressive, I was so surprised to read speculation that was the Obama approach. A year ago there was talk of Obama adopting a position based in the Arab Peace Initiative which is based on international law.

Peace is the wrong goal, it has to be justice (or as you say equality and dignity); only from that will a stable and long-term peace emerge.

[Macready]

10:06 AM on 04/20/2010

great assessment hemara . . international law must be applied . . . and via the UN not the US . . for far too long the US has made a mess of things

[Macready]

10:05 AM on 04/20/2010

fanned Firslayer . . Obama has to work with the UN . . the US political scene is too compromised by the aipac . . .

[cincinnati]

05:04 AM on 04/23/2010

Two of AIPAC's top people were to be tried for treason, for giving classified documents to Israel. This is years after other similar spy cases, when they promised they would not
spy on the US again...!!!!!

I have watched this for many years and don't think the US should be involved at all.

Israel and their blind supporters here will try to bend us their way. The Arabs see that
and will resent it naturally. Stop all aid to the region, no advice, no soldiers if Israel is
ever attacked, nothing. Let them figure it out.

[tallen]

02:10 PM on 04/19/2010

Until Obama can manage to reform Islam, its imperialistic expansionism and intolerance of all who are not muslim, there is little chance of peace.

[Samlas]

02:41 PM on 04/19/2010

What does Islam have to do with peace between Palestinians and Israelis?

[Antifascist-08]

02:44 PM on 04/19/2010

he doesn't know. They don't fully educate their trolls over at Fox.

[tallen]

04:16 PM on 04/19/2010

Pretty much everything.
Try reading the Hamas "charter". You'll find extensive quotes from the Koran regarding the killing of Jews

For example:

"Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it."

"The Day of Judgement will not come about until Muslims fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O Muslims, O Abdulla, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him. "

[martin2]

02:46 PM on 04/19/2010

There are millions of Americans who practice the Muslin faith serve in our military, and are model citizens. You insult them.

[de-meme-ing]

03:05 PM on 04/19/2010

No, it is those who practice radical Islam that insult them. It isn't people who critize the Catholic church for it's policies and practics of child sexual assault who insult those Catholics who don't, it is the Catholics who do those crimes against humainty who do.

To critize something begins with an observation. Millions of people all over the world have come to recognize the crimes against humanity committed by radical Islam.

It is not those who critize this behavior that insult Islam, it is the behavior of those practicing Islam in a manner or means that is inhumane.

I, as an American am deeply insulted by the refusal of our educational system to address the crimes against children in our education system. It is embarassing. And to those whom it is not; they have no sense of shame. Shame on them.

Being fed up with radical Islam, and voicing that opinion is completely normal, and acceptable. Otherwise, just as in the Catholic church and the American Public school system; nothing will change.

[blackjack12]

10:02 PM on 04/19/2010

There is maybe a few hundred were did you come up with a few million??

[mommamia526]

02:08 PM on 04/19/2010

For the sake of Peace the Palestinians should start with forming a working coalition government for themselves. With the PA and Hamas at odds, there is nothing to build a state with, and there is no partner to talk Peace with. Palestinians were not allowed elections, by Hamas, when Abbas' term was up. So, they could neither elect another leader for Abbas, nor another faction for Gaza. But, yes, of course, the U.S. can try to force its hand, and *impose peace* upon the ME. It is not working too well, yet, in Iraq. We have our hands full in Afghanistan with new action expected in Kandahar. Anyone who has family in the military has to ask when will this end, how thin can we spread ourselves, and when do our boys and girls get some time off from constant combat. Even those who are against Israel and 100% for Palestinians should recognize that unity, a working government, are first requirements, then an economy, jobs, and kids staying in school, rather than being used to throw rocks, dig tunnels. For a Palestinian state it is not only needed that the PA/Westbank, and Hamas/Gaza issues be resolved. Institutions are needed, which do not exist. Palestian Refugees without status and citizenship reside in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon in Camps, who do not have employment, and are not going to get any employment soon.

[Samlas]

01:58 PM on 04/19/2010

Israel will never be ready.

[OldSchoolLiberal]

02:49 PM on 04/19/2010

When egypt was ready for a real peace Israel gave back land it conquered in a defensive war and guess what, there was peace and it has lasted and will last.

When Palestinians set the clock back to 47 and this time take the mandate of building their onw country, the whole world will help them including a huge % Israel's population that wants peace.

60& of Israelis want to end the settlements.

What % of Palestinians will recognize Israel?

[Richard Pearce]

07:25 PM on 04/19/2010

The thing is, Israelis don't think of some of the largest settlements as settlements, they think of them as part of Israel. Did the poll make sure the people understood what qualifies as a settlement (which is everything that is on land that is, according to international law, not part of Israel)

[hemara]

12:44 AM on 04/20/2010

June 5 1967, Israel attacks Egypt. Not defensive OSL, offensive.

"What % of Palestinians will recognize Israel?"

Uh where have you been? PLO recognised Israel in 1993 explicitly and years before implicitly. That's the 3rd time I've read that comment today have new talking points been issued?

[MikeDu]

01:44 PM on 04/19/2010

Odd, the way you started the article "Is the Middle East...." as thought it were not one roadblock only standing the in the way of peace in the region. How far along would we be implimenting the Oslo peace accords if only Rabin hadn't been assassinated by the Israeli right?

[cincinnati]

04:57 AM on 04/23/2010

100% Right !
I'm "sure" Rabin was not killed in a conspiracy, just as....

JFK's car slowed down, his guards on foot were radioed to
fall back away from the car just before that, his head
went backwards from a shot in front, .......
Who would guess the nuts in the right wing, in the US or Israel,
would hate so much, and believe they owned their country, not
anyone else, so that they would do Anything to take control !?

[kattyM]

01:37 PM on 04/19/2010

If Obama is serious about peace plan, he should put the pressure on Israel that she can feel it, for the sake of change she need it.

[mikep]

02:11 PM on 04/19/2010

Why pressure Israel? Israel's didn't start the war. Israel has already offered peace and recognition of a Palestinian state. Many times. There's not much more that Israel can do. At this point, it's obvious that it's the Palestinians who are the obstacle to peace. They simply aren't ready to recognize Israel, accept international law, or live in peace with their neighbors. Pretending otherwise isn't going to change anything. What needs to be done is massive, organized international pressure on the Palestinians, both political and armed, to force them to surrender and end their illegal war. Until that's done things will remain the same. The Israelis will continue to prosper, and the Palestinians will continue to suffer.

[StCuthbert]

02:13 PM on 04/19/2010

Fanned.

Israel can take more steps towards peace, but they have no reason to unless they are guaranteed to get something in return from the Palestinians.

[hemara]

12:41 AM on 04/20/2010

Israel has offered what exactly? A demilitarised pseudo-state carved into bantustans - not very enticing at all.

At this point - after 43 years of a brutal military occupation, with 500,000 illegal settlers installed and much of Israel's water bing stolen from Palestinian land, it's obvious that Israel wants land not peace. Or rather, it wants a comfortable occupation - which the Palestinians refuse to give.

It is demonstrably Israel in violation of international law, in so many ways - right of return, illegal occupation, illegal settlers, resource exploitation of occupied territories, collective punishment of Gaza and the war crimes and possible crimes against humanity committed there during the Massacre. And *all* those UN SC resolutions piling up:

http://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/2010/01/27/rogue-state-israeli-violations-of-u-n-security-council-resolutions/

Anyway good luck with your campaign, you will need it given Israel fell from grace among nations many years ago.