U.S. Arab-Israeli Peace Process Push To Unfold In Coming Weeks: Clinton

(Reuters) - The United States plans a new push to promote comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday, suggesting a stronger U.S. hand in trying to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

President Barack Obama will lay out U.S. policy toward the Middle East and North Africa in the coming weeks, Clinton told Arab and U.S. policy makers in a speech that placed particular emphasis on Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Obama's launch of direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks last year went nowhere and he is under pressure to make a new initiative or face the prospect of the Palestinians seeking the U.N. General Assembly's blessing for a Palestinian state.

"The president will be speaking in greater detail about America's policy in the Middle East and North Africa in the coming weeks," Clinton said at the U.S.-Islamic World Forum, a gathering sponsored by Qatar and the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank.

"America's core interests and values have not changed, including our commitment to promote human rights, resolve long-standing conflicts, counter Iran's threats and defeat al Qaeda and its extremist allies," she added. "This includes renewed pursuit of comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace."

Clinton spoke against the backdrop of the popular revolts that have toppled long-time authoritarian leaders in Tunisia and Egypt this year and spurred public protests in much of the Arab world, including Libya, Bahrain, Syria and Yemen.

"The status quo between Palestinians and Israelis is no more sustainable than the political systems that have crumbled in recent months," she said, saying the only way to meet both people's aspirations was through a two-state solution.

"And while it is a truism that only the parties themselves can make the hard choices for peace, there is no substitute for continued, active American leadership -- and the president and I are committed to that," she added.

LITTLE TO SHOW FOR OBAMA EFFORTS

While Obama came into office saying that settling the six-decade Arab Israeli conflict would be a priority, he has little to show for his effort.

Peace talks aimed at ending the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians broke down last year after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to extend a partial freeze on Jewish settlement building in the occupied West Bank.

The core issues in the conflict include borders, security, the future of Jerusalem and Jewish settlements in territory Israel occupied in the 1967 Middle East War, and the fate of Palestinian refugees.

Netanyahu is widely expected to visit the United States in may and there have been media reports that he may float fresh ideas on how to get the peace process going again.

Speaking at the U.S.-Islamic World Forum earlier on Tuesday, Senator John Kerry, the Massachusetts Democrat who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, suggested Obama could sketch out a new diplomatic initiative soon.

"It is very possible that President Obama will even step out ahead of that (Netanyahu's visit) and possibly -- I say possibly -- make his own contribution to where he thinks the process ought to go," Kerry said, saying this could lead to "a responsible effort" toward solving the conflict.

Israeli security officials have cautioned that the absence of any peace initiative could spark a new Palestinian revolt. Over 500 Israeli civilians died in 140 Palestinian suicide bomb attacks from 2000 to 2007. More than 4,500 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in the same period.

A bomb planted in a bag exploded near a bus stop in a Jewish district of Jerusalem on March 23, killing a woman and injuring at least 30 people, in an attack police blamed on Palestinian militants.

(Editing by Philip Barbara)

Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters. Click for Restrictions.

Comments

[Rianna]

07:20 PM on 04/15/2011

To my peace loving friends here, Here is a link from another threader, that made for an interesting read. It seems Israel is afraid of losing the media war, and has asked for many of their devoted followers to work as their Hasbara. In particular they mention targeting, among others, the BBC and Huffingtonpost. I hope you take note of this, since of late, I noticed we have been bombarded by types that could be described as Hasbara. At one time they took on Muslim names, and spewed their lies, but now it has changed, and I have noted a few, which I am sure you all have too. Sometimes you just have to double check what they say, because you know their aim is to distract, insert their propaganda, and would say anything when someone brings up a good point about Israel. I hope Huffingtonpost makes a note of this too.

Here is the link, and I am not sure about it authenticity. It does sound however like the way they would operate.

http://www.disclose.tv/forum/hasbara-spam-alert-israli-volunteers-to-flood-websites-t43638.html

[Iconcoclast]

08:34 PM on 04/15/2011

And here I thought it was Habenaro all this time. No wonder I never received a t-shirt--I was more likely to get tacos with that misspelling. Thanks!

btw--disclose.tv? I got as far as this in the about link:

"I was very impressed with disclose.tv. I am confident that it will be successful, and I know the UFO community will give its full support."

Nice, reputable source you have there. Definitely the place to find information to repudiate Israeli "propaganda"...and little green men, too.

[Rianna]

09:59 PM on 04/15/2011

Good attempt making a joke. Shouldn't you be asleep in Tel Aviv. What instructions did you get? To laugh it off, or fight it off?

[Nwo2012]

08:17 AM on 04/16/2011

The original source of this text is an article by Richard Silverstein in the UKs Guardian newspaper, which was reposted on the open forum linked by Rianna.

Silverstein is well-connected to both the Israeli left and right and is far more knowledgeable than most of the regular bloggers here, particularly the American Zionist contingent who can barely understand basic Hebrew or point to Ramallah on a map.

He often breaks stories days before it hits major news organizations and is often already following up leads before the newspapers are even aware theres a story.

If you prefer, the original post is here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/09/israel-foreign-ministry-media

Youre welcome.

[avril666]

11:49 AM on 04/15/2011

Jewish Defense League

A day after the kick-off of President Obama’s Mid-East “Peace” diplomatic push, news comes that yet another oil rig has exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. Of course, this news comes mere months after the mammoth BP oil rig disaster.

What could the two incidents have in common? It just so happens that the BP disaster occurred the day after the United States made a key declaration that it would not automatically support the state of Israel on the world stage. Back to back in two consecutive events, the US has announced a negative political development in relation to Israel, and the day after an oil rig has exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. Could that really be a coincidence?

We also all know for a fact that Obama is merely repeating the insane approach of his recent White House predecessors in pushing Israel to concede to more land giveaways and the creation of a new Arab terrorist state west of the Jordan river. Are these events coincidences or repeated warnings from the Creator? Torah teaches us that there are no mere coincidences, so JDL thinks it’s the latter.

[avril666]

10:44 AM on 04/15/2011

Can we afford Israel?

Can we afford the terrorist attacks on Westerners, our support of Israel incites?

Can we afford the billions of dollars each year we give Israel when we're cutting back on Medicare?

Can we afford the tens of billions in Unpaid Loans to Israel?

[Raglimidechi]

12:36 AM on 04/15/2011

If somebody doesn't convince Palestinians to go back to the negotiating table, they're threatening to take their own brand of "unilateral action," meaning persuade the hapless UNGA to somehow give them a state out of thin air and then fund it for them, with a grant of $5 billion for starters. And that support will have to be ongoing. No. If Palestinians think they're ready for a state, they need to convince Israel of that. Otherwise September will come and September will go, and Palestinians will be in the same sorry condition.

[Nwo2012]

02:29 AM on 04/15/2011

Palestine obtains its legitimacy from the same place Israel claims legitimacy­. From the recognitio­n of other states. Thats all they need.

All the members of the UN will recognize Palestine individually. They'll recognize its currency, its passports and its diplomats. Palestinians need nothing from Israel. They don't require the permission of the Israeli government to be recognized. Israel is an obstruction and nothing else.

[Taxim]

08:38 AM on 04/15/2011

"the hapless UNGA to somehow give them a state out of thin air"

When has that ever happened?

[tallen]

08:53 PM on 04/14/2011

From the US State Department Report on Human Rights in the Palestinian controlled territories

"PA courts were inefficient and often did not ensure fair and expeditious trials.
The PA does not have laws providing for freedom of press
PA security forces closed media offices, confiscated equipment, and prevented the delivery of newspapers and reportedly assaulted journalists. In Gaza individuals publicly criticizing authorities risked reprisal, and Hamas affiliates assaulted journalists during demonstrations.
Hamas closed down all Fatah-affiliated broadcast outlets in Gaza. The Fatah-allied Palestinian TV and Voice of Palestine radio buildings in Gaza City were taken over by Hamas gunmen and closed.
Only pro-Hamas broadcast media and PFLP-affiliated radio outlet Voice of the People have operated in Gaza since June 2007
The PA Basic Law states that Islam is the official religion and that the principles of Islamic law shall be the main source of legislation
Hamas's al-Aqsa television station carried shows for preschoolers extolling hatred of Jews and suicide bombings.
PA law does not explicitly prohibit domestic violence, . According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, violence against wives, especially psychological violence, was common in the West Bank and Gaza. A woman must provide two eyewitnesses (who are not relatives) to initiate divorce on the grounds of spousal abuse.
personal status law and traditional practices discriminate against women.
Palestinian law does not specifically prohibit trafficking in persons
etc, etc...

http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2009/nea/136070.htm

[discocapper]

03:42 AM on 04/15/2011

Interesting .... And it doesn't even mention honor killings. Isn't it ironic that those in here who rail against Israel for their supposed poor treatment of the Palestinians never show concern for how they treat each other?

[JerryLevy]

10:43 AM on 04/15/2011

In Gaza, Hamas rules with an Iron Fist. A favorite method of execution (and it saves bullets) is to push political opponents or those who have violated Sharia law off buildings. It is rarely mentioned in the press. Somehow this reign of terror is not on the radar.

[avril666]

10:46 AM on 04/15/2011

The same Hamas that Israel brought to power and sicked on the Palestinian people.

[misaacm]

11:41 AM on 04/15/2011

Amazing how Israel is at fault for everything. Hamas is an offshoot of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. Israel did not bring them to power, it did try to work with them in the 80's after concluding that all of the aid being sent to Gaza was being siphoned off to Arafat's Swiss Bank account. The Israelis finally found out that Hamas' social programs were primarily a front for the political/terrorist programs.

As for who brought them to power, Hamas was elected by the peace loving Palestinian people, and as with most fundamentalist Muslim political parties, has never again allowed an election. Nor will they ever, Abbas just proposed an election and Hamas declined. I guess you can't blame Hamas for feeling they need to retain power, after they took over Gaza, they started throwing Fatah operatives off of 7 story buildings, during Cast Lead they shot Fatah operatives in the knees, they know if Fatah returns to power in Gaza, payback will be brutal.

[Cynthia Rays]

07:25 PM on 04/14/2011

"An annual report by the U.S. Department of State on human rights in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza paints a stark picture of human rights conditions among minority populations in Israel, and Palestinian populations in the West Bank and Gaza.
“Principal human rights problems were institutional, legal, and societal discrimination against Arab citizens, Palestinian residents of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip… non-Orthodox Jews, and other religious groups,” begins the segment dealing with Israel and the Golan Heights.
http://mondoweiss.net/

[tallen]

08:41 PM on 04/14/2011

Here's the actual report

Israel is a multiparty parliamentary democracy...
The government generally respected the human rights of its citizens,
. Arbitrary Arrest or Detention
The law prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention, and the government generally observed these prohibitions for all citizens.
Suspects in nonsecurity cases are apprehended openly with warrants based on sufficient evidence and issued by an authorized official and generally were informed promptly of charges against them. The law provides that an arrested citizen is considered innocent until proven guilty and has the right to habeas corpus, to remain silent, to be represented by an attorney, to contact family members, and to receive a fair trial.
The law provides for an independent judiciary, and the government respected this provision in practice. The judiciary has ruled against the executive, including in security cases.
The law provides for the right to a fair trial, and an independent judiciary generally enforced this righ
Freedom of Speech and Press
The law provides for freedom of speech and of the press
Freedom of Assembly
The law provides for freedom of assembly
Freedom of Religion
The law provides for freedom of religion

etc, etc..........
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2009/nea/136070.htm

[Michael II]

04:18 AM on 04/15/2011

Many of these do not apply in the West Bank, where people can be held without charges pretty much indefinitely at the discretion of the military authorities. It has happened numerous times, and not necessarily for cases of violent crime.

[Darcha]

06:28 PM on 04/14/2011

To make things clear: The territories taken by Israel are recognised as being occupied. They are not 'disputed', 'contested' or subject to negotiation. Israel is there illegally (UNSC 242) and has no right to the territory: 'The principle of inadmissibility of acquiring territory by force has become part of general international law, endowed with the character of a preemptory rule of international law (jus cogens). It has been confirmed in such instruments as, inter alia, the Friendly Relations Declaration of the General Assembly (GA) in 1970 and reaffirmed in a series of Security Council (SC) resolutions concerned with specific cases, including Resolution 242….’
International Law: A Dictionary, Boleslaw Boczek, p. 214.

[discocapper]

07:33 PM on 04/14/2011

Israel is NOT there illegally:
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/UN/meaning_of_242.html

[Darcha]

07:40 PM on 04/14/2011

Wow! We're really glad an Israeli propaganda site cleared that up for us!

Resolution 242 speaks clearly enough for itself: 'withdraw from territories occupied'.

[Gracie fr]

05:00 PM on 04/14/2011

Interesting how this long and complex saga is going to play out in the coming weeks preceeding the September "announcement"......!!!!

[muck-raker]

04:49 PM on 04/14/2011

I have here a link, if it works, from a body on the Mari mavara and the story never heard until now

http://coldtype.net/reader.html

http://coldtype.net/Assets.11/pdfs/0311.Mavi.lr.pdf

[Cyrus Trance]

03:36 PM on 04/16/2011

Propaganda, that is not a news source.

[muck-raker]

07:27 PM on 04/16/2011

you and your kind will only believe it if you read it in the Jerusalem Post

[Rianna]

04:38 PM on 04/14/2011

This is interesting. FBI files show Tupac Shakur was threatened via death threats from the Jewish Defense league. Apparently the JDL has been extorting money from various rap music stars this way. Looks like the JDL is also resorting to terrorizing rich personalities for money. I wonder who their other victims are.

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/fbi-files-on-tupac-shakur-murder-show-he-received-death-threats-from-jewish-gang-1.355962#article_comments

[tallen]

05:18 PM on 04/14/2011

This is even more interesting.
Declassified files show that Yassir Arafat directed the kidnapping and murder of US diplomats

"CIA papers show Arafat ordered murder of U.S. diplomats in Sudan"
http://www.haaretz.com/news/cia-papers-show-arafat-ordered-murder-of-u-s-diplomats-in-sudan-1.252996

[Rianna]

05:28 PM on 04/14/2011

Wow Tallen you had to go back to 2008 to dig this one up. Nice try. I guess an article from todays Haaretz gives the world the real picture of the JDL, it has got to hurt a lot of folks here. Besides, didn't you guys already portray Arafat and the PLO as terrorists? So there is nothing shocking in your link, after all what do you expect from terrorists? Now Tupac being threatened by the JDL, that breaking news, and shocking. Who knew the JDL were terrorists?

[Darcha]

06:30 PM on 04/14/2011

Tallen's new thing: Deflect at all costs!

[Gonzo36]

05:43 PM on 04/14/2011

First the Jews kill Jesus, and now Tupac and Easy E!!!! (rolls eyes). Not sure what this has to do with the I/P peace process.

[Thelonius]

04:24 PM on 04/14/2011

" 'The status quo between Palestinians and Israelis is no more sustainable than the political systems that have crumbled in recent months," she said, saying the only way to meet both people's aspirations was through a two-state solution."

I would be impressed and cautiously optimistic if Secretary Clinton had stated "the only way to meet both people's aspirations was through a two-state solution based on full application of international law."

The is a myth propagated by certain people that hard-won international law, including human rights law, does not apply to Israel.

[Iconcoclast]

04:00 PM on 04/14/2011

This is just more noise for the consumption of the gullible. The solution has been clear for many years--end the attacks on Israel and peace will be at hand. Since Hamas, Hezbolla, Syria, Iran, and others refuse to end their aggression peace will remain impossible.

That peace is possible is shown by the 30+ years of peace between Israel, Egypt, and Jordan. Abbas appears to be pursuing that approach as sell--which will serve him well.

[Nwo2012]

04:20 PM on 04/14/2011

The peace with Egypt only came due to the bribes to Egyptian dictators. Those guys are history. Good riddance.

Funny how Israel supporters boast about having a peace treaty with a neighboring country. Its like its unique in the world or something. Like its something difficult to achieve.

Most countries have open trade agreements with their neighbors and porous borders. Israel prefers to land grab from theirs. Good luck with all that then, Israel.

Enjoy your bunkers, roadblocks and ID cards.

[tallen]

05:22 PM on 04/14/2011

>>The peace with Egypt only came due to the bribes to Egyptian dictators.

Which is why, should Egypt renege, Israel should keep the Sinai permanently.

[Iconcoclast]

06:16 PM on 04/14/2011

You do realize there was 5 years of truce between the 1973 attacks on Israel and the signing of the Camp David Accords, right?

[Thelonius]

04:38 PM on 04/14/2011

Apparently, you are not aware of the fact that in 2002, the Arab League passed the Beirut Summit Peace Initiative which offered Israel full peace, full recognition as a sovereign state, exchange of ambassadors, tourism, trade, etc. if Israel complies with international law and its previous commitments. Along with all Arab states and the PA, the Beirut Initiative has been agreed to by Hezbollah and non-Arab Iran. Even Hamas has indicated its acceptance subject to a Palestinian plebiscite and a connecting corridor between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Regrettably, Israel has twice rejected this offer of peace.

[Iconcoclast]

05:43 PM on 04/14/2011

Sure, a peace initiative that takes Israel back to indefensible borders, divides Jerusalem into a section Israelis are not allowed to travel and allows for mass immigration of "refugees" back into Israel.

Now pull the other one....

[tallen]

02:13 PM on 04/14/2011

Condolences to the supporters of jihad.

Gaza fighter died in 'jihad mission'
Published today (updated) 14/04/2011
GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- The armed wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine said one of the group's fighters was killed Thursday morning, when an explosive device detonated while the young man was on a "jihad mission," a statement said.

It is the second accidental death of a Gaza resistance fighter reported in as many days, following the death of an Al-Qassam brigadesman in Khan Younis on Wednesday.

Medical sources in Gaza confirmed that a man was pronounced dead after being seriously wounded by a bomb which exploded, apparently prematurely.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=378585

[myopinion2]

02:39 PM on 04/14/2011

allah is great.

[Iconcoclast]

03:11 PM on 04/14/2011

It must have been one of those defensive suicide vests that detonated. The peace-loving Gazans wouldn't attack Israel with such an illegal and immoral tactic. right?

[Rianna]

04:32 PM on 04/14/2011

No, the peace loving, Gazans, who are living under siege, wouldn't attack Israel, but Hamas and other extremists might. Is it hard to differentiate these two? Think of it this way, the peace loving Israeli civilians will not attack the Palestinian civilians, just like the IDF does. Same concept.

[Relpo Miraculous]

01:53 PM on 04/14/2011

Any decision by the United Nations General Assembly to recognize a Palestinian State next September could signal the beginning of the end for the United Nations as a credible organization pledged to uphold the rule of international law in dealings with - and between - member states.

Its current reputation for doing so is under real threat even now - as calls for it to withdraw further consideration of the flawed Goldstone Report are being made following Justice Goldstone’s recent admission that the Report wrongly alleged that Israel had deliberately targeted Gaza’s civilian population during its invasion of Gaza in December 2008.

Goldstone’s Report had been tainted and compromised from the outset because all four Commissioners appointed by the UN Human Rights Council were biased - and in accordance with well established legal principles should have recused themselves from taking part in the Inquiry.

Failing to initially reject any consideration of this biased Report has now landed the General Assembly in its present predicament. Continuing to consider the Goldstone Report will indicate the General Assembly is prepared to ignore the law where it conflicts with a particular political objective. This is a recipe for disaster and inevitably must lead to the total loss of any credibility.

Should the United Nations actively attempt to do another “Goldstone” - by acting in defiance of a well established body of international law - then it could well end up imploding like its predecessor - the League of Nations.

[Nwo2012]

02:20 PM on 04/14/2011

Dinosaur.

Too many powerful people around the world want an end to Israels occupation of Palestine.

There WILL be a Palestinian state. and much, much sooner than its detractors can ever imagine.

[Iconcoclast]

03:14 PM on 04/14/2011

There is a Palestinian state--it is called Jordan. And Gaza is really part of Egypt.

[Beachmaster1]

03:38 PM on 04/14/2011

"Too many powerful people around the world...", like who? Ahmadindejad, Quaddafi, Assad, the Leadership of Hamas and Hezbollah and other dictators, thieves who are murdering, torturing and imprisoning tens of thousands of their own people as is occuring in Libya, Syria, Egypt, Yemen, Iran and saudi Arabia?

[Darcha]

03:17 PM on 04/14/2011

Talk about someone who lives in the echo chamber!

[ABACADABRA RABBIT]

01:23 PM on 04/14/2011

Once the Palestinians and Israelis start loving each other, this will all go away. How will they love each other? Well, they will intermarry and merge families and eventually they will all be the same.

It may take hundreds of years. We may get a few Romeo and Juliets along the way, but I really think the way out of this is love.

Love thy neighbor.

[Cyrus Trance]

01:32 PM on 04/14/2011

That will never happen.

[ABACADABRA RABBIT]

01:49 PM on 04/14/2011

They are already intermarrying. So you are wrong too.

Now put on your thinking cap, use your critical thinking skills. Think long term. You really think they are going to fight like this forever. I don't think so. Something will give at some point.

[MarcEdward]

03:14 PM on 04/14/2011

It's not unreasonable to hope.

[myopinion2]

02:55 PM on 04/14/2011

Wasn't it Robert Frost who said high walls make good neighbors.

[magedfoxx]

04:56 PM on 04/14/2011

i can climb.......

so how have you been?