![]() “On the other side is John Kerry’s belief that the window is closing on the two-state solution and that it is an obligation of the United States to try to stop that from happening, at least to preserve the hope of a two-state solution,” he said. Indyk said that if Obama believed “that the prime minister of Israel doesn’t have the best interests of Israel at heart, is a political coward, isn’t going to take risks for peace - if that your basic view, why would you bother, why would you try?” my prayer is that perhaps this can be a moment where we can renew some kind of effort to get the parties into a discussion.” Having watched the peace process unfold, and unravel, from his perch on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee over the last three decades, analysts said Kerry has a deep knowledge of the issue and its players.Īmong the obstacles are the divisions within the Israeli and Palestinian societies about making peace a sense of disbelief that peace itself may ever be possible and the rise of Islamist parties, notably in Egypt, that may be less supportive of it.Īt his January 24 confirmation hearing, Kerry said “my hope. However, they said Obama’s second term offered a new chance with Kerry, a new chief diplomat who has made no secret of his interest in the Middle East, and that the January 22 Israeli elections created a somewhat better environment for peace despite the intrinsic challenges. Russia welcomes Kerry's confirmation as U.S. That could allow Obama to avoid investing too much personal capital in a fresh effort until there was a prospect of real progress. peace negotiators said they expect Obama to proceed cautiously and to let Kerry, who will be sworn in on Friday, take soundings for any fresh effort. ![]() Mitchell resigned in 2011 and both sides have since taken steps that have antagonized the other - Israel by building Jewish settlements on land the Palestinians want for a state and the Palestinians by seeking enhanced status at the United Nations.Īgainst this backdrop, former senior U.S. When Obama came into power in 2009, he made peace between Israelis and Palestinians a priority, visiting the State Department two days after taking office to announce his choice of former Senator George Mitchell as his special envoy.įour years later, the president has little to show for it.įormal talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians broke down in 2010 within weeks of resuming. He said it would be “disastrous” if it did. While the possibility of another failure may hang over the White House, Kerry suggested this week that time was running out for a two-state solution with Israel living alongside a sovereign Palestinian state. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) testifies during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing to be secretary of state, on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 24, 2013.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |