Obama: Let Israel probe Gaza flotilla raid with U.S. observer

[Jefferson23]

Source: Harretz.com

Political sources: Netanyahu in no rush to accept U.S. proposal, in part because Defense Minister Ehud Barak is opposed to it.
By Amos Harel and Barak Ravid The United States has proposed a possible way for Israel to avoid an international probe of the events surrounding the Gaza flotilla, but at this point Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is leaning against it, in part because Defense Minister Ehud Barak is opposed to it.

The Americans have proposed that Netanyahu announce that an independent Israeli commission of inquiry will look into the events of the flotilla clashes and accept the participation of an American observer.

On Monday and Tuesday, advisers of Prime Minister Netanyahu, Yitzhak Molcho and Uzi Arad, traveled to Washington. On Tuesday they were at the White House with Israel's ambassador to the U.S., Michael Oren, and met National Security Adviser James Jones, and President Barack Obama's adviser on the Middle East, Denis Ross, as well as Dan Shapiro, who holds the Middle East portfolio at the National Security Council.

One of the main issues discussed was the American demand that Israel investigate the events surrounding the handling of the flotilla.


Read more: http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/obama-let-israel-probe-gaza-flotilla-raid-with-u-s-observer-1.293853

[Mojambo]

1. Right. Because the U.S has established a fine record of impartiality when it comes to Israel. n/t

[aquart]

2. Even I won't go along with that. How about Swedish?

[Jefferson23]

6. Depends on who is involved, that is the key. At the end of the OP

I found this interesting, haven't seen it reported anywhere else yet.

*In an unusual turn of events, six unidentified bodies of those killed in the incident Monday were sent to Turkey, along with three identified corpses. Usually, only the dead who have been identified are released.

[aquart]

14. That is indeed odd.

Is there some significant Turkish identifier (like all of them wearing Kiss me, I'm Turkish t-shirts) that would tell them these are Turks and not Irishmen even if they didn't know the names?

WERE THEY IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS WITHOUT PASSPORTS OR IDENTIFICATION? Just a passing question.

[Jefferson23]

16. The individuals involved with caring for the bodies would have

had access to any ID or other personal belongings that may have been on the person. A wait and see for now.

[Wizard777]

17. No, there should also be Turkish, Red Cross and Red Crescent observers.

[Robbien]

3. Banksters in charge of the mess it made; BP in charge of the mess it made

Of course this admin wants Israel in charge of the mess it made

Its the American Way these days.

[Moochy]

11. Sickening but true

status quo you can believe in.

[keopeli]

4. We need a NEUTRAL observer if Israel conducts the probe, which is daft in the first place.

Who in the world lets the parties involved in a conflict investigate themselves for possible malfeasance? Only the US and Israel claim to have such moral authority, which flies in the face of reality.

It seems Obama is trying to use this event to mend fences with Israel. I guess the Israel lobby is just too strong for Obama. Thus, I don't see any way we can ever be the arbiters of peace in the Middle East, sadly.

[daleo]

5. It's like letting BP investigate the oil spill

Common sense tells you this wouldn't work even with the best of intentions.

[frebrd]

7. Yeah. that'll work just fine!

:)

[yurbud]

8. so we propose that we take Israel's word for it with a token yes man on the spot.

[mallard]

10. Re: meanwhile back at the ranch

yurbud:

"8. so we propose that we take Israel's word for it with a token yes man on the spot."

That's the crux of the situation, besides the "we'll think about it and get back at you" part.

The offer of means to 'fix' and taylor the probe has yet to be accepted!

Issues of complete moral turpitude aside for the moment, BB Netandyahoo sure does know how to deliver a captivating bluff. It's uniquely impressive.

[Purveyor]

9. OK. I'm cleaning the tea off my monitor that I just spewed "laughing" at that one! eom

[CHIMO]

12. Heck Of A Job

Obama.

Heck of a job!

[mikita]

13. well there ya go!

[Prometheus Bound]

15. I have no doubt the IDF will conduct a fair, impartial investigation of itself.

But to ensure 100% objectivity, better have Defense Minister Ehud Barak review it.

[Malikshah]

18. Hey, Obama-- we're part of the problem and have zero credibility when it comes to this

issue. Stop trying to make a silk purse out of the sow's ear that is this issue.

Stop being a coward to Israel.

[harun]

21. An Israeli investigation with a U.S. observer is just wasting everyones

time. Why even bother?

[PFunk]

19. Damn Obama! Show some balls!!!

It's crap like this that will have the US along with Israel (if it exists by then-which is now a good possibility) alone, isolated, desituted, and hated failed state in the upcoming multipolar world.

Time to cut the jewish state lose.

[Jefferson23]

20. This may be a smart move on Obama's part for a couple of reasons.

When you consider the reception Israel and the US gave to the Goldstone report, and the response from the majority of the world
condeming Israel for the raid on convoy, Israel believes everyone is against them. Except the US has stated, let us have a credible
and transparent inquiry first.

Considering the close relationship between the US and Israel, what will it look like to the world if they turn down our offer?

There is no question that if Obama employs less than credible oversight and impartial involvement, this could turn out very bad indeed.

I think Obama can score an upper hand here if he plays it right.

[mbperrin]

24. Okay, Mr. Pol Pot, you can do the investigation, but be warned!

We have someone watching you do it! Ooooooohhhhhh!"

That'll make them wet their britches.
























Or not.

[Jefferson23]

25. We'll see, how Obama proceeds is up to him. n/t

[ShamelessHussy]

32. I doubt it. First thought in most peoples minds will be, "of course"-they are in league w/each other

n/t

[Jefferson23]

33. Well, there is solid evidence not to believe the US would be impartial.

But Obama risks a great deal if he does not use this opportunity to pressure Israel on a peace deal. I don't care if it happens behind the scenes, as Netanyahu has not broken the agreement between them, an indication that their last meeting left an impression. Israel has done a great deal of damage with the raid, and the fallout has only begun. Netanyahu's move reminds me of the situation the big banks were in not long ago, at their weakest, Obama told them, my administration is the only thing between you and the pitchforks. The international outrage symbolic of those pitchforks places Israel in a vulnerable position. Unfortunately that was the time to get the strongest reform, while they were weak and needed him, now those guys are stronger than before in many ways.

If Israel does not agree to a credible investigation, they will have ensured more violence in their near future which also jeopardizes our national security. Israel can then expect further isolation than they have received in recent past as well. Israel will appear to the world as distrustful of everyone, including the US if they refuse, a trump card Obama should play to the hilt.

On the other hand, Obama is obligated to our country and the ME to reject a biased report, if he fails to do that, as he failed
to attach meaningful reform to the 13 bankers when they were vulnerable, he will have to fall in line with other US Presidents on the I/P
conflict. I don't believe at this point he is willing to do that, the opportunity is there. Obama is the guy who won preemptively the Noble Peace Prize, he is also the president who was given an unprecedented report through CENTCOM. If those two realities did not exist, I would not have the hope I still hold for the Palestinians.




"Obama offered Netanyahu a gentlemen's agreement on Jerusalem"
http://www.haaretz.com/news/obama-offered-netanyahu-a-gentlemen-s-agreement-on-jerusalem-1.284694

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[leftynyc]

23. Very soon you will realize

the rest of the US in no way views Israel the same way the majority of people on this board do. You can scream till you're blue in the face - anyone who thinks this will change the US relationship with Israel is dreaming.

[Fumesucker]

26. That's true.. but..

I'm seeing attitudes change, I can think of half a dozen people I know who five years ago were strong Israel supporters that are now asking some tough questions.

Like John Cole, the owner of the blog I got this graphic from.

[Ignis]

35. Nice graphic.

It pretty clearly displays the ridiculous claims that the blockade is purely to stop rockets from going to Hamas.

[Arrowhead2k1]

28. It's not there yet, but things are definitely changing. nt

Israelis are the ones who are dreaming if they think they can carry on like this forever.

[leftynyc]

29. You see things changing?

Like what? What have you heard from the White House or Congress that leads you to say that? I'm not talking about Europe or the Mid East. I'm talking about Americans - who in large majorities have their sympathies with Israel? You see, Americans don't make distinctions between Palestinians and the rest of the Arab world. They see footage of burning American flags, chants of "death to America" and the like and not surprisingly, don't feel like taking these people under their wings. Is it fair? No, of course not but this is the same country where 60 million peoople voted for mccain/sarah.

[Violet_Crumble]

34. I agree it won't change the US relationship with Israel...

Even if Israel were to take the ultimate step of 'transfer' when it comes to the Palestinians, the US President would make a comment saying how disturbing it was, but then go on to talk about the unbreakable bonds, blahblahblah. The reality is that the rest of the US consists of extremely stupid and very hypocritical people, which is probably never going to change. Thankfully many on DU aren't like that at all...

[Catherina]

27. No. The blockade is illegal. Stop supporting crimes Obama n/t

[Cass]

30. Why even bother with an investigation then?

That's not an "impartial" investigation. Why do we always have to molly-coddle Israel?

I expected more from Obama regarding US-Israel policy but its the same old status quo.

[shirleym]

31. How about at least making Israel pay the families of those they murdered?

How about blockading Israeli goods at ports around the world?