The growing divide between Tel-Aviv and Washington
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Md. Masum Billah
The Palestinians reluctantly agreed early in March to US-mediated indirect talks with Israel but the planned negotiation collapsed two days later when Israel announced plans to build 1600 new settler homes in east Jerusalem during a visit by US Vice-president Joe Biden. This announcement angered not only Biden and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton but also US President Barack Obama himself. The whole world appreciates Obama's present stance against the Israeli policy. The peace-loving people all over the world now observe with keen interest how the US will ultimately deal with the affair. The Palestinians have said Israelis construction of settlement is the main obstacle to reaching a peace deal because it is carving off parts of their promised state.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu imposed a ten-month halt on new construction in the West Bank in November, but the move was rejected by the Palestinians because it did not include east Jerusalem and also public buildings and projects already under construction. The murder of a Palestinian politician in Dubai recently was committed by Israel. The recent expulsion of an Israeli diplomat in London by the British government over the forgery of British passports that would camouflage the killers is a broad hint of the levels to which Israel has stooped in pursuing its questionable national interest. The White House's tit for tat policy when Netanyahu went to meet Obama indicates US seeks real peace in the Middle East.
Netanyahu returned from Washington on March 26 after a tense visit that appeared to deepen a bitter row with the administration of President Obama over the construction of Jewish settlements in annexed Arab east Jerusalem. Netanyahu's position is that there is no change in Israel's policy on Jerusalem that has been pursued by all governments of Israel for the last 42 years. US Defence Secretary Robert Gates was reiterated that Israel-Palestinian tension harms US security interest in the Middle East. The US appears in no mood to blink first in its tense showdown with Israel after reportedly handing Netanyahu a blueprint to kickstart moribund peace talks. Netanyahu put on a brave face as he flew home to a storm of derision on March 26 having failed to resolve a bitter row with Washington over the settlement issue. He insisted on the eve of his departure for Washington that the two close allies had made progress but his trip served to demonstrate the growing divide between Israel and Washington on Jewish settlement activities. Netanyahu apparently failed to tamp down the row over the construction of 1600 new settler homes in the occupied Arab east Jerusalem .
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas on March 27 ruled out holding even indirect talks with Israel unless it freezes settlement construction in the West Bank including mostly Arab east Jerusalem. "We cannot resume indirect negotiation as long as Israel maintains its settlement policy and the status quo," he said.
All these indicate that dark clouds are gathering in the sky of the Middle East. Israel seems to be adamant in its position and hopes to receive backing from its close allies. But the world hopes not to see the hope of Middle East peace shattered by the questionable steps of Israel.
The writer is Senior Manager: Brac Education Program, PACE. He can be reached at e-mail: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com
The Palestinians reluctantly agreed early in March to US-mediated indirect talks with Israel but the planned negotiation collapsed two days later when Israel announced plans to build 1600 new settler homes in east Jerusalem during a visit by US Vice-president Joe Biden. This announcement angered not only Biden and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton but also US President Barack Obama himself. The whole world appreciates Obama's present stance against the Israeli policy. The peace-loving people all over the world now observe with keen interest how the US will ultimately deal with the affair. The Palestinians have said Israelis construction of settlement is the main obstacle to reaching a peace deal because it is carving off parts of their promised state.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu imposed a ten-month halt on new construction in the West Bank in November, but the move was rejected by the Palestinians because it did not include east Jerusalem and also public buildings and projects already under construction. The murder of a Palestinian politician in Dubai recently was committed by Israel. The recent expulsion of an Israeli diplomat in London by the British government over the forgery of British passports that would camouflage the killers is a broad hint of the levels to which Israel has stooped in pursuing its questionable national interest. The White House's tit for tat policy when Netanyahu went to meet Obama indicates US seeks real peace in the Middle East.
Netanyahu returned from Washington on March 26 after a tense visit that appeared to deepen a bitter row with the administration of President Obama over the construction of Jewish settlements in annexed Arab east Jerusalem. Netanyahu's position is that there is no change in Israel's policy on Jerusalem that has been pursued by all governments of Israel for the last 42 years. US Defence Secretary Robert Gates was reiterated that Israel-Palestinian tension harms US security interest in the Middle East. The US appears in no mood to blink first in its tense showdown with Israel after reportedly handing Netanyahu a blueprint to kickstart moribund peace talks. Netanyahu put on a brave face as he flew home to a storm of derision on March 26 having failed to resolve a bitter row with Washington over the settlement issue. He insisted on the eve of his departure for Washington that the two close allies had made progress but his trip served to demonstrate the growing divide between Israel and Washington on Jewish settlement activities. Netanyahu apparently failed to tamp down the row over the construction of 1600 new settler homes in the occupied Arab east Jerusalem .
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas on March 27 ruled out holding even indirect talks with Israel unless it freezes settlement construction in the West Bank including mostly Arab east Jerusalem. "We cannot resume indirect negotiation as long as Israel maintains its settlement policy and the status quo," he said.
All these indicate that dark clouds are gathering in the sky of the Middle East. Israel seems to be adamant in its position and hopes to receive backing from its close allies. But the world hopes not to see the hope of Middle East peace shattered by the questionable steps of Israel.
The writer is Senior Manager: Brac Education Program, PACE. He can be reached at e-mail: mmbillah2000@yahoo.com