US Senator: Obama, put pressure on Palestinians

[shira]

US Senator: Obama, put pressure on Palestinians

Senate Majority Leader writes letter telling US president emphasizing importance of Arab recognition of Israel, says resolution of Iranian issue key to helping Arab-Israeli peace process

Yitzhak Benhorin Published: 06.19.09, 21:52 / Israel News

The United States needs to back off Israel a little and put some pressure the Palestinians instead, US Senator and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told US President Barack Obama in a letter. The letter arrived at the White House prior to a Thursday night between the president and special envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell, prior to the latter's trip to Paris to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu hopes to reach an agreement with the Obama administration regarding necessary building in the settlements to accommodate natural growth.

Reid, a Democrat from Nevada, wrote that he believes "negotiations will be successful only with a renewed commitment from the Palestinians to be a true partner in peace."

"Arab states in the region must also act to support the peace process. All parties must recognize Israel's right to exist, end terrorism, and respect previous agreements made with Israel," he added in the letter.

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http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3733983,00.html

[democracy1st]

1. I think thats in the works,because in 3 different interviews including Sunday's Meet the Press

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he had recently talked with President Obama about Mid East issues. Netanyahu tone is relaxed and positive from what I witnessed.

[Kurska]

2. The Senate is what stopped George Bush Senior from weakening Israeli/USA relations

I'm betting that history repeats itself in this regard.

[Violet_Crumble]

3. Is anything that's being asked of Israel unreasonable?

While Bushco turned a blind eye and allowed the Israeli govt to do what it wanted, it doesn't look like Obama is going to be doing the same. Expecting Israel to live up to agreements its signed and to stop expanding settlements isn't in any way trying to weaken relations between those two countries. The only logical conclusion is that Nutty will end up caving to pressure from the US (who have nothing to lose from putting some well-needed pressure on Nutty) and a consequence of that will be his govt collapsing when the ultranationalist nutjobs leave the govt in a huff. It's not like Israel can afford to be stubborn (after all, they're the ones reliant on US aid, not the other way round), and there's no reason why Obama would start to go soft on his position, as there's no big sticks that can be waved at him....

[Lakrosse]

4. Finally, something I can like Reid for

THANK GOD someone has said this already! Obama, while meaning good, is not only weakening Israel-US relations, but harming Israel by pandering to the Palestinians too much. He MUST put some pressure on the Arabs already. They've gotten a free ride from the world for too long.