President
Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu hold their
first
meeting since the elections last November. Palestinians are
hoping
that President Obama will be, as most Muslims perceive
it,
more even-handed in regard to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.
Obama and Netanyahu at
White House CLICK HERE TO WATCH
Le Figaro, France
Israel Discovers
the 'Real' Obama
"Obama's
message signifies a lack of concern for the political fragility of Netanyahu’s
government - and he isn't betting on its longevity. The Israeli Prime
Minister will soon have to choose between a domestic political crisis, a crisis
with the United States, or more likely, both."
EDITORIAL by Pierre Rousselin
Translated By Sandrine Ageorges
May 29, 2009
France - Le Figaro - Original Article (French)
Between Israel and the
United-States, the forecast is no longer for endless blue skies, as it was
during the George W. Bush era. The insistence with which the new administration
reiterates its demands to the Israeli government forecasts tough times ahead.
The meeting at the White
House on May 18th between Barack Obama and Benyamin Netanyahu was considered crucial
for relations between the two countries and for the prospects for peace in the
Middle East. It couldn't be otherwise. Officially, the face-to-face encounter between
the two men, who have contrasting political backgrounds and sometimes conflicting
positions, appears to have gone well, even if it will take time before we know what
was actually said.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
Firmly but with great
courtesy, both publicly reiterated their convictions.
Obama is the kind of person
who doesn't display his sentiments. He doesn't depart from maintaining a cool
attitude, even if he thinks otherwise. For his part, as a shrewd connoisseur of American
political life, Netanyahu appreciates the popularity of the new
president. There is no need to tackle him head on. Between the two men, a tough
chess match has commenced.
Vice President Joe Biden jumped
the gun before Netanyahu’s arrival in Washington. Now it's Hillary Clinton’s
turn to raise her voice. Listening to her,
there's nothing to negotiate: "President Obama was very clear [when Prime
Minister Netanyahu was here]. He wants to see a stop to the settlements; not
some settlements; not outposts; not natural growth exceptions," on the
West Bank.
At
the State Department, Hillary delivers Obama's message on
Israeli
settlements, May 28. CLICK HERE OR CLICK PHOTO TO WATCH 
Netanyahu thought he would
find in Hillary Clinton, the former Senator from New York and openly pro-Israel
during her campaign, an ally within the administration. He must be disenchanted.
Obama's message signifies a
lack of concern for the political fragility of Netanyahu’s government - and
he isn't betting on its longevity. The Israeli Prime Minister will soon have to
choose between a domestic political crisis, a crisis with the United States, or
more likely, both.
As for Obama, he continues
on his imperturbable way. On June 4th in Cairo,
he will deliver his "speech to the Muslim world." We will then discover
the road map he has drawn for the Middle East.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
The signals being emitted by
the White House demonstrate that for this administration, the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict lies within a broader context. Israel remains the "privileged
ally" of the United States, which remains the "guarantor" of its
security. But Washington has other objectives in the region and from now on, it
expects its ally to help with them.
[Stuff, New Zealand]
This is about the desired
improvement in relations with the Arab world, as well as the search for a
resolution of the Iranian question.
With George W. Bush, Israel
had lost the habit of hearing this kind of language. The weeks to come will
tell us if this is just a verbal difference, or if America’s policy toward
Israel is being profoundly transformed.
SEE ALSO ON THIS:
Le Figaro, France:
The Pope, Obama and the Middle East
Amal Al Ummah, Egypt:
Don't Be Fooled By Obama's Egypt Speech
Amal Al Ummah, Egypt:
Egypt's Comments on Israeli Nukes a Betrayal of Muslims
Al-Arab al-Yawm, Jordan:
World Must Not Fall for Obama PR Onslaught
Al Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:
Obama: A Humble Leader Worthy of His Great Nation
Al Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:
Obama Interview with Al-Arabiya Cause for Arab Shame
Le Quotidien d'Oran, Algeria
Arab Leaders Prefer to 'Listen to Obama's Fables'
Al Watan, Oman:
When 'Hussein' is the Most Beautiful Word
L'Orient Le Jour, Lebanon:
Stars, Stripes and the Muslim Crescent
L'Orient Le Jour, Lebanon:
Arab Leaders Should Heed Obama's Words
Financial Times Deutschland, Germany:
Obama's Brain Twister: Selecting a Muslim Venue
CLICK HERE FOR FRENCH VERSION
[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US May 29, 8:55pm]
