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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
US issues four demands (non-negotiable?) to Israel
2010-03-16
Netanyahu consulted Sunday with the forum of seven senior cabinet ministers over a list of demands that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made in a telephone conversation Friday. Haaretz has learned that Clinton's list includes at least four steps the United States expects Netanyahu to carry out to restore confidence in bilateral relations and permit the resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians.

1. Investigate the process that led to the announcement of the Ramat Shlomo construction plans in the middle of Biden's visit. The Americans seek an official response from Israel on whether this was a bureaucratic mistake or a deliberate act carried out for political reasons. Already on Saturday night, Netanyahu announced the convening of a committee to look into the issue.

2. Reverse the decision by the Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee to approve construction of 1,600 new housing units in Ramat Shlomo.

3. Make a substantial gesture toward the Palestinians enabling the renewal of peace talks. The Americans suggested that hundreds of Palestinian prisoners be released, that the Israel Defense Forces withdraw from additional areas of the West Bank and transfer them to Palestinian control, that the siege of the Gaza Strip be eased and further roadblocks in the West Bank be removed.

4. Issue an official declaration that the talks with the Palestinians, even indirect talks, will deal with all the conflict's core issues - borders, refugees, Jerusalem, security arrangements, water and settlements.
It's sounding more and more like the Guns of August. And all the time Iran gets closer and closer to its first test. And the Paks want to start a war with the Indians that really does make the dominoes fall. And a community organizer sits atop the greatest military machine in history trading honor he doesn't have for a peace he won't maintain.
Posted by:Nimble Spemble

#28  My dad always taught me to not make more enemies than I could watch. Too bad Obumble's step-dad didn't impart such wisdom to him when he was younger. Obumble is making an awful lot of enemies, internally and externally. That's extreme stupidity in any form, but especially in politics.
Posted by: Old Patriot   2010-03-16 19:16  

#27  the Admin is trying to walk it back after talking "tuff and shit". Oren is sticking to his "crisis" comparison. Our O-amateurs and Arabists in the State Dept got themselves worked up and now are looking to say "well, he started it!"
Posted by: Frank G   2010-03-16 18:54  

#26  just read the ticker going across the bottom of CNN and you will see how anti semitic most their viewers are
Posted by: chris   2010-03-16 18:10  

#25  This video was produced by LATMA before the crisis. The relevant staff is about two minutes in.

Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2010-03-16 14:03  

#24  This is incoherent. Remove roadblocks Israel hasn't set up yet. The Israeli cabinet must be ROTFLTAO.

Well, Obama wants to pass a healthcare bill whose provisions haven't been finalized, so this is all par for the course.

I'm wondering if the Israelis will "deem" that the US has already greenlighted a strike on Iran and just get on with it?
Posted by: charger   2010-03-16 11:24  

#23   I've been thinking that Obumble might try to time some military action (or feint) in the middle east...

Gorb, I'm afraid that the military action that a$$hole would want to take is a US takeover of the borders of Israel as they have been talking about to "further the peace process".
Posted by: Alanc   2010-03-16 10:43  

#22  Now, I wonder why Obama needs to have a crisis with the Jewish state right now? Could it be that he's trying that tried and true method of dealing with economic problems?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2010-03-16 10:18  

#21  They're not going to quietly get into the boxcars again for anyone.

That's true of the Settlers, but American Jews and their international equivalents still happily vote for the Obamatron and the Dems.

Were I a younger and fitter man, I'd seriously think about joining the West Bank Settlers. They are the front line against everything that would drag this world into chaos.
Posted by: phil_b   2010-03-16 09:09  

#20  They're not going to quietly get into the boxcars again for anyone.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2010-03-16 08:46  

#19  I understand where you're coming from, Mizzou. What I believe to be the more likely scenario is that the announcement was quite deliberate in its timing.

Throwing down the gauntlet, as it were, and forcing your opponent (in this case, us) to show where he stands. Act a little rude and you'll often get your opponent's true feelings to stand out.

The Israelis needed to know.
Posted by: Mullah Richard   2010-03-16 08:23  

#18  It WAS stupid and shortsighted of Israel to announce the expansion when Biden was on his visit.

It seemed like a direct slap to the president.

I'm counting down the days until I get to vote Obama out of office, but Israel needs to value the relationship between the countries, and not shiat on a particular president.

They need to value their long-term relationship with their allies more. They don't have many.
Posted by: Mizzou Mafia   2010-03-16 08:04  

#17  ack - itchy trigger finger again , please delete this and #15
Posted by: Oscar   2010-03-16 07:49  

#16  Does anyone actually listen to Hilary or Obama, apart from at comedy hour ?
Posted by: Oscar   2010-03-16 07:48  

#15  Does anyone actually listen to Hilary or Obama, apart from at comedy hour ?
Posted by: Oscar   2010-03-16 07:48  

#14  The Americans Obama seek an official response from Israel on whether this was a bureaucratic mistake or a deliberate act carried out for political reasons.

The Obama Administration Bureau of political acts investigating a bureaucratic mistake? Something akin to Charles Manson investigating a parking ticket. Total rubbish!
Posted by: Besoeker   2010-03-16 07:46  

#13  and further roadblocks in the West Bank be removed

This is incoherent. Remove roadblocks Israel hasn't set up yet. The Israeli cabinet must be ROTFLTAO.
Posted by: phil_b   2010-03-16 06:21  

#12  AzCat, perfect pic.
Posted by: Whiskey Mike   2010-03-16 03:03  

#11  TOPIX > ISRAELIS WORRY ABOUT THEIR MISSLE SHIELD [Defense of Cities-vs-Bases]; + HEZBOLLAH REFUSES TO CONFIRM ACQUIRING OF ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONS.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2010-03-16 02:50  

#10  The only substantial gesture the Israelis should make towards the Paleos:

Posted by: AzCat   2010-03-16 02:20  

#9  Versus

PAKISTANI DEFENCE FORUM > ISRAELI HISTORIAN: ISRAEL COULD FIND ITSELF FORCED TO WIPE OUT EUROPE, espec iff Tel Aviv deems the nation's demise or end is near. ARTIC - Historian argues that ISRAEL BELIEVES EUROPE IS A "HOSTILE TARGET".
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2010-03-16 02:14  

#8  I've been thinking that Obumble might try to time some military action (or feint) in the middle east in an attempt to help Dem chances of surviving midterm elections. If so, the wrong move here will put a serious crimp in his plans. And even if not, I would't be surprised if Israel could form and time their response to make things even worse for Dems.
Posted by: gorb   2010-03-16 01:59  

#7  Why doesn't Newbama try this with Iran?
Posted by: gorb   2010-03-16 01:50  

#6  What a complete ass. He's making an Israeli strike (and oil @ $200/bbl) MORE, not less, likely.
Posted by: lex   2010-03-16 00:58  

#5  Toldja that the Waffler in Chief would have a Grade A hissy fit. Why even now his ears are all a-twitter because 'nobody pays me any mind. And I won the election and everything.'
What a bunch of douchebags.
Posted by: USN, Ret.   2010-03-16 00:54  

#4  Let Israel do it.

What are the odds now on Israel taking out the Iranian sites a la Osirak?

Yes, I know they're hard to locate etc. But really, with Obambi in the WH, what choice does Israel have? Clock's ticking...
Posted by: lex   2010-03-16 00:53  

#3  Decisions, decisions...

1) Do as Obama (not the USA - Obama) wishes and get treated like he treats the British (i.e. like stale, smelly, sh*t).

2) Tell Obumble to kiss off and take a flying F and get bowed and scrapped to by Zero and company.

Thats a tough one...

Posted by: CrazyFool   2010-03-16 00:34  

#2  When Netanyahu stops laughing and his staff get off the floor from another gutbuster by the coward in chief, He will of course get himself composed and issues a statement. It will read that Israel will look into Hillary's request, giggle giggle, and get back to her once they come to resolution on it oh, in say about two years. BWHAHAHA!!! Stop it! I'm gonna pee if you make me laugh any harder. Oh, and send that rummy VP over again so our junior staff can have some more fun with press releases!
Posted by: 49 Pan   2010-03-16 00:32  

#1  This sounds like something that's been in the works for a while. Obama just found a pretext to do what he's wanted to do all along.





Posted by: DoDo   2010-03-16 00:11  

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