'NOBEL WINNER OBAMA: ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS STAB PEACE IN BACK'

[Rose El Youssef, Egypt]

Le Figaro, France

Obama Must 'Exhibit His Authority' With Israel Now

"The announcement of the construction of 900 new homes in Jewish East Jerusalem is a challenge to the Palestinians as well as the American president."

By Pierre Rousselin

Translated By Sandrine Ageorges

November 18, 2009

France - Le Figaro - Original Article (French)

The hopes raised in the Middle East by Barack Obama’s June 4 speech in Cairo has faded in less than six months. In the absence of clear diplomatic guidance from the United States, Israelis and Palestinians have slid back into a spiral of unilateral actions that can only aggravate tensions.

The announcement of the construction of 900 new homes in the Jewish quarter of East Jerusalem, in Gilo [photo, left], is a challenge not only to the Palestinians, but to the American president, who has pledged to secure a cessation of settlements so that talks could begin.

For Israeli daily Haaretz, Benyamin Netanyahu is making the most of “Obama’s weakness.” With Washington having given up on a total halt to construction last October, the Israeli government has been quick to push its advantage. In doing so in East Jerusalem, part of the Holy city that was annexed in 1967, little debate is created in Israel, whereas a decision of such magnitude would have proven controversial if it had concerned the West Bank.

The Prime Minister can therefore bind his coalition together while sending a very firm signal in regard to Israeli intentions in Jerusalem during negotiations that may take place over the final status of the Palestinian territories.

Only one week after the last head-to-head meeting between Barack Obama and Benyamin Netanyahu, the White House has been reduced to expressing its “dismay,” and gives the impression of having lost the control of the situation.

On the Palestinian side, the discredit of the Palestinian Authority is obvious and can only benefit Hamas. After President Mahmud Abbas' threat of resignation, his entourage is now preparing a unilateral declaration of independence to force the U.N. Security Council to decide the issue. The move, rejected in advance by the United States and European Union, has little chance of succeeding and underlines the impotence of the Palestinian leadership, which has run out of arguments, is despised by Israel and is increasingly abandoned by the rest of the world.  

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

Barack Obama appears aware of the seriousness of the situation. “This may end up being very dangerous,” he said yesterday, while noting that the Israeli decision “makes the Palestinians bitter” and “does not contribute to the security of Israel.” Once again his analysis is correct. It is urgent for him to exhibit his authority and take action.

CLICK HERE FOR FRENCH VERSION

[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US November 20, 6:37am]