George Mitchell

A Palestinian View: A crucial but problematic triangle

For good but different reasons, their respective relations with the United States are of central and utmost importance to both Palestinians and Israelis.

As the US is the world's leading power, it is the most influential potential mediator between them. Israel is completely dependent for its overwhelming superiority on the near unquestioned military, economic and diplomatic support it receives from the US. The Palestinian Authority, meanwhile, is dependent on international support and international diplomacy, both shaped by the US.

Special Envoy George Mitchell on the importance of compromise and leadership in the Middle East

Earlier today, Middle East Progress published an interview with Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, Senator George Mitchell. Below are excerpts of his remarks on the progress seen by the Obama administration toward peace in the region. The interview in full can be read here.

On Netanyahu's proclaimed 10 month settlement construction freeze:

US demands Israel to halt construction in Gilo

Following discovery of Israeli plans to construct a new residential area in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo, Special Envoy George Mitchell met with Attorney Isaac Molcho to voice US disaproval of the plans and to demand that Prime Minister Netanyahu prevent construction approval from being given.

Shimon Shiffer in Yedioth Ahronoth reports:

Clinton to travel to Israel to promote indirect negotiations

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.

Ha'aretz reports:

Mitchell: Determined to stay the course for negotiations

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.

Ha'aretz reports:

A Palestinian View: The conventional route will not bring us peace

The most recent public opinion poll conducted in the Palestinian territories by the Jerusalem Media and Communications Center has shown a dramatic decline in the Palestinian public's evaluation of the Obama administration's role in promoting peace in the Middle East.

An Israeli View: Damage survey

In the course of the past two weeks, we have witnessed three key developments in Palestinian-Israeli relations.

One is, at least initially, an internal Palestinian and Arab issue: apparent progress in Egypt's efforts to bring about Fateh-Hamas rapprochement, create some form of unity government and set a date for Palestinian elections. If this prolonged initiative finally reaches fruition in the days ahead, it could have far-reaching ramifications for efforts to launch a new peace process between Israelis and Palestinians and for Israeli-Palestinian relations in general. One way or another, this dynamic will have to be revisited in the weeks ahead.

Barak and Peres express support for peace process in meetings with Mitchell

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.

According to Ynet:

George Mitchell: Our objective is the relaunch of negotiations

Laura Rozen at Politico reports on Special Envoy George Mitchell's comments to the press following the tripartite meeting at the Waldorf.

Reiterating much of Obama's earlier statement, Mitchell shared notes Obama said to the two leaders in the meeting. "It's difficult to disentangle ourselves from history but we must do so," Mitchell cited Obama. "The only reason to hold public office is to get things done. We all must take risks for peace." 

Obama's remarks leading up to 3-way meeting

The White House released the following transcription of President Obama's remarks following his bilateral meetings with Netanyahu and Abbas, at the beginning of the tripartite meeting. He announced that he will be sending Special Envoy George Mitchell to the region next week to follow the discussions in New York today.

His remarks are in full, after the fold.