It is sobering yet productive that three distinguished Israelis are generating ideas despite the unfortunate but realistic conclusion that “a comprehensive peace agreement is unattainable right now.”
Today, President Barack Obama meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after weeks of speculation about how the two countries will address the threat of Iran potentially obtaining nuclear weapons, and with little expectation for progress on Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking. However, the Iranian threat – coupled with the historic changes of governments across the Middle East – could actually serve as a strategic opportunity for these leaders to address Iran while advancing regional democratic efforts alongside Israeli-Palestinian peace.
Israel Policy Forum applauds President Barack Obama’s commitment to Israel’s security outlined in his address to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
Laura Rozen reported yesterday on a shift in the U.S. administration's statements on movements on the Israeli and Palestinian fronts toward renewing the peace process. She quotes Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Bill Burns as saying:
When President Obama appointed former Senator George Mitchell as his Special Envoy for the Middle East Peace Process on only his second day in office, one cannot imagine he envisioned the region being mired in a painful stalemate less than a year later. On the contrary, his early engagement was designed to keep such an impasse from occurring.
A year ago today I was sitting on a cold floor of a dark elementary school at 5am determined to be the first in my precinct to vote for Barack Obama. I could not sleep the night even though as a veteran of other election campaign nights I could feel the anticipated outcome coursing through my veins -- one of those few and far between great election highs. How great it felt -- no artificial stimulation necessary!
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will travel to Israel on Saturday night to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Barak and President Shimon Peres. This is her first official visit since Netanyahu took office.
Monday marked the 15 year anniversary of the signing of the peace accord between Israel and Jordan. President Obama marked the milestone, saying it proves that peace is always possible.
In a speech delivered yesterday at Colby College in Maine, Special Envoy George Mitchell (a former senator from Maine) said that despite setbacks, the Obama administration is still deeply committed to peace negotiations for Israel and the Palestinians.
Early this morning, President Obama was woken with news that he is the recipient of this year's Nobel Peace Prize, elliciting various reactions from world leaders.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak was the first to congratulate the President, saying:
Special Envoy George Mitchell met with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, President Shimon Peres and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman today in Israel. Barak and Peres both expressed support for Obama's peace initiatives in the region, despite low expectations of a breakthrough.
Professor of Political Science at UCLA; National Scholar at Israel Policy Forum
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 - 2:42pm
I am sick and tired of hearing about how Obama is “not good for the Jews,” or, as a friend of mine put it recently, “everyone who voted for him should be ashamed.” If looking for solutions to Israel’s toughest problems — Iran and the Mideast peace process — and trying to fix both is somehow bad for Israel, then I’m not sure what’s good.
