| Submit your comments on this article | |
| Israel-Palestine-Jordan | |
| No ‘grand peace plan’ during upcoming Israel trip: Obama | |
| 2013-03-09 | |
Obama, in an hour-long private meeting at the White House on Thursday, acknowledged that near-term prospects for peace are bleak, according to a person who attended the discussion. But the president said a deal with the Palestinians remains the only way for Israel to achieve long-term security. IsraelÂ’s political climate makes the prospects for jump-starting peace talks all the more unlikely during ObamaÂ’s trip. Elections in January weakened Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who since then has struggled to form a coalition government. In addition to his meetings with Netanyahu, Obama will hold talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. He told the Jewish leaders on Thursday that he would emphasize to Abbas that peace remains possible, though very difficult given the current climate in the region. In his meeting on Thursday, Obama said pursuing sweeping peace talks now would be premature, given that Israel is still working to form a new government. But he added that doesnÂ’t preclude him from launching a peace effort in six months or a year, according to the person in attendance, who was not authorised to discuss the gathering publicly and requested anonymity. The White House has not announced the dates for the presidentÂ’s trip, although Israeli news media have reported he will arrive on March 20. Obama will also make stops in the West Bank town of Ramallah, and Jordan. | |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #12 as a muslim, shouldn't he be allowed into Al Aqsa? /slightly tongue-in-cheek |
| Posted by: Frank G 2013-03-09 17:48 |
| #11 He's probably just going to play golf. |
| Posted by: BrerRabbit 2013-03-09 17:43 |
| #10 Have a dinner in Sedrot in his honor. When he starts speaking stage one of those 'color red'alerts (where people have to seek bomb shelters due to incoming rockets). Might not even have to stage it with the Palieo's being what they are. Televise the whole thing. Better bring an extra change of clothers for Bumbles - he'll probably soil the ones he's wearing. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2013-03-09 17:01 |
| #9 mentions the "killing of Arafat".... |
| Posted by: Frank G 2013-03-09 15:58 |
| #8 IMA waiting the stick in the eye. President makes surprise visit to West Bank and the Ramallah tomb of former PLO Leader.......... |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2013-03-09 14:35 |
| #7 No grand plan doesn't mean he won't try bullying the head of the juices to give up land to show good faith and get negotiations going again. And for goodness sake, Bibi, make sure your people don't announce approving any building permits within a week of either side of the man's visit, or we'll never here the end of it. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2013-03-09 14:27 |
| #6 Wonder if he will have to enter thru the back door, or not be feted at some state function ( something about turnabout and fair play...) |
| Posted by: USN,Ret. 2013-03-09 13:01 |
| #5 Might be a good thing this round AP; person has to wonder what his idea of Grande Peace would be. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2013-03-09 12:33 |
| #4 Another US president will go to Israel and do absolutely nothing but burn up Jet A that was purchased with a loan. Pfeh.... |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2013-03-09 11:10 |
| #3 #2 "Obama is not exactly known for truthfulness." There are however, great merits in consistency. :-) |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2013-03-09 09:56 |
| #2 "Obama is not exactly known for truthfulness." Gee, grom, you mean someone else has noticed? But you're way too polite. Every word out of his mouth is a f*cking LIE. Including the words "a," "and," and "the." >:-( |
| Posted by: Barbara 2013-03-09 09:20 |
| #1 Thank G*d for small favors. p.s. Of course, Obama is not exactly known for truthfulness. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2013-03-09 05:02 |