Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is heading to the Middle East. The outgoing chief diplomat arrives just as a cease-fire may be about to take hold, even though rockets continued to hit Israeli cities today. But whether she seeks to take credit for the halt to the fighting or not, her arrival is bound to set off a wave of speculation about what price the Obama administration is about to try to exact from Israel for its diplomatic support in the past week.
The administration has been steadfast in its rhetorical backing of Israel’s right to self-defense against the storm of Hamas rockets that have been aimed at the country’s cities, towns and villages. But right now what may count most will be what President Obama and Secretary Clinton have been saying to the leaders of Egypt and Turkey as they sought to get Hamas’s allies to persuade the Islamist rulers of Gaza to stop firing rockets at Israel. If the U.S. has privately signaled support for concessions to Hamas or even hinted at eventual recognition of the Gaza regime, that could be the opening for another bout of administration pressure on Israel in Obama’s second term. If so, then the president’s kind words about Israel in the past few days will have come at a high price indeed.
Though Egypt and Turkey are attempting to position themselves as sponsors of any new peace on the ground in Gaza, their role in helping to foment the violence is clear. It is doubtful that without the strong diplomatic support they have gotten from the Islamist governments of both countries Hamas would have chosen to pick a fight with Israel at this time. Throughout the fighting, Egypt and Turkey have done their best to demonize Israel. Though Israel is the victim here, those two countries have treated the Israelis as the aggressors and egged on the true aggressor: Hamas. However, if the Obama administration has gotten Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi or the president’s good friend Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to persuade Hamas to stand down, it is reasonable to suppose that they have gotten something in exchange from Washington.
It is equally reasonable to speculate that what they got was a promise that Obama would return to the policy of pressure on Israel that he employed throughout most of his first term until he was forced to terminate it amid his election-year Jewish charm offensive.
This is exactly what many of Israel’s liberal critics have been clamoring for as the missiles rained down on Israeli cities this past week. Far from being conducive to reviving interest in a two-state solution, any concessions to Hamas, Turkey or Egypt will do exactly the opposite. If that is indeed what is in the president’s mind, he is taking American foreign policy down a dead end that will only lead to more bloodshed in the future.
Hamas went to war in no small measure to bolster their standing among Palestinians at the expense of the Palestinian Authority and its Fatah leadership. With Arabs in the West Bank now publicly clamoring for their own Hamas missile launching teams, they have achieved that objective. The notion that Hamas can be co-opted into supporting a new round of peace talks is completely divorced from reality. Hamas has no interest in peace and its ideology is unalterably opposed to any two-state solution, no matter where Israel’s borders would be drawn in such a scheme. The PA and its leader, Mahmoud Abbas, are paralyzed and unable to even negotiate, let alone sign such an agreement as they have proved these last four years since the last Israeli offer of a state was rejected. The reason for this is that they know that any deviation from a position demanding the “right of return” or other positions that are synonymous with the end of Israel as a Jewish state will mean even more Palestinians will ditch them for Hamas. The fact that the PA never took advantage of any of Obama’s diplomatic gifts to them in the last four years should have clued the president in on their lack of interest in a deal.
Most Israelis, even those who would happily give up the settlements, understand this and realize any further concessions on territory will bring more terror, not peace. Though the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system has done well in the last week, it would be rapidly overwhelmed were the shooting coming from the West Bank rather than the remote Gaza strip. Until there is a sea change in the political culture of the Palestinians that will mean that a group loses rather than gains popularity by trying to kill Jews, peace just isn’t in the offing–no matter what the Israelis put on the table.
More pressure on Israel to give up territory won’t bring about a two-state solution, but it will encourage the Islamists who already run an independent Palestinian state in all but name to dig in their heels and try new provocations. That will mean more dead Israelis and Palestinians, not the progress toward peace that the U.S. says it wants.
Nor should Israel be influenced by an Obama promise related to the Iranian nuclear threat. Though it often is made to seem as if it is only an Israeli issue, a nuclear Iran is just as much of a threat to American influence in the region as it is to Israeli security. If President Obama is to keep his promise never to allow Iran to get such a weapon, it should not be bought again by Israeli concessions.
The United States is right to push for a cease-fire in Gaza. But they should not try to extract a price for it from Israel that will set the stage for another round of fighting when Hamas decides that it is again in their interests to turn up the heat. The president should have learned from his first-term mistakes that pressure on Israel only encourages Palestinian violence, not peace.
WHY Obama/Hillary did not intervened from the day one to stop killings and destruction? Only because, the attack was planned jointly, executed jointly and now may be stopped jointly after obtaining desired goals. But, it looks like a faulty and very damaging strategy. By killings innocents, several children in hands, America and Israel has doubtlessly breed not only hatred among the millions of Muslims around the globe but made easy for the Jihadis to enroll their camps. However, everything is not lost for Obama/Hillary and Israel, if they can take a deep breath and device a long term solution for Gaza's 4 million human beings who are living worst human lives under iron fist occupation and of course million of Israelis who have to hear false rocket sirens day and nights and wear guns on their body even during sleeping.The painful inhumane conditions in the 21st century is unacceptable and must be ended soon.
Readers: Ignore this lying bastard's comments.
Firstly, there aren't any foour million people in gaza. Secondly, if you sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind.When a war is raging, then, unfortunately, innocents get killed- the difference is that the Palestinians only target innocents! Thirdly, Hamas was voted into power- as they say, elections have consequences. Lastly, the hatred for The US and israel has nothing to do with innnocent victims. We helped tens of millions of Arabs get their freedom and they still hate us. It is- sadly- in their DNA!
john writes: n n WHY Obama/Hillary did not intervened from the day one to stop killings and destruction? n nof course you mean last January when Hamas began shelling Israel-again? n n
The hatred and the jihadis are there for all infidels for all tikme. So it won't be any better or worse if Israel goes in and removes the missles and any capacity to deploy more. Perhaps Gaza will run out of virgins and the supply of martyrs will run out when their quota of 72 is not met. n nThe Palestinian Arabs are left twisting in the wind by their so-called Arab "brothers" who have, for generations now, refused them hospitality and sanctuary in the huge expanse of territory and with the oil wealth at their disposal. If there was one ounce of sincerity in them, the squalor their "brothers" exist in Gaza could never have happened. Gaza is not and should not be viable and one way or another it will end. The only way it will be a good end is if their Arab brothers finally face up to their responsibility.
hey! hey! hey! that painful inhumane condition is called life. history is a nightmare nobody wakes up from except to a greater dream and a longer sleep.
That is ridiculous. Gaza is thriving, with new high-end shopping malls, water parks, fancy restaurants. There is no occupation. Hamas is oppressing its own people and seeking to exterminate the Jewish people. n nYou are no doubt an anti-semite and should be banned from this board.
Hilary's visit is price enough.
Word on the street in Israel , is that Obama is threatening to withhold critical spare parts if Israel does not agree to an immediate cease-fire . The threats and blackmail have already begun from one of the most antisemitic US administrations since Jimmy Carter's.
If thisis true it behooves Israeli officials to start speaking truthfully about what Hussein Obama is doing instead of repeating their endless cant about how he is one of the most pro-Israeli presidents in history. The American people should know what is happening instead of being told a bunch of politically corrects fibs.
I agree rashirey , and yet American jews voted almost 80% for 0bama. Whats wrong with them?
tell Israel to ignore the preezy n ncongress will override him and create a balagan
I have to wonder what kind of clout Obama thinks he still HAS in the Mideast? Does he seriously believe anyone is listening to him anymore? Oh, they're compelled to make noises about American money but that's it. A pretty safe bet is that the louder Obama stamps his feet the more wrong he is – FOR EVERYONE.
What credible threat can Israel make to convince Hamas to agree to a cease fire without a lifting of the blockade? There isn't any need for President Obama to put pressure on Israel, at least in the way you imagine. The Israeli population has already indicated in polls that it doesn't want Israel to reoccupy Gaza, yet if Israel doesn't re-occupy Gaza, they will either have to continue to put up with endless bombing, or they will have to agree to a hudna at the price of lifting the blockade. n nIf President Obama had wanted, he could have condemned Israel last week and said that the blockade of Gaza needs to end. He didn't. Instead, he insisted that Israel had a right to defend itself.
Pr. O may be twisting and threatening IL behind your back in unacceptable concessions to Pal who will ask rendition of the Jews soon as they have the opportunity.
Objectively, what concessions has President Obama asked for? A settlement freeze and beginning negotiations from the 1967 lines. Israel made a big deal about refusing a settlement freeze, and then ended up freezing settlements anyway. Where the border negotiations begin doesn't seem to be very important when the Palestinians won't give up the right of return or recognize Israel as a Jewish state. Meanwhile, he has vetoed UN resolutions and continued or enhanced security cooperation. n nPresident Obama takes a position somewhere between Kadima and Labor. Compared to most of the left, and expecially the Jewish left, which is our own worst enemy usually, President Obama is objectively not the problem. He's better than George HW Bush or Jimmy Carter. n nNow, if the Palestinians ever offered Israel a real deal but not quite enough, then we might have somethign to talk about…
All a hudna would do is give Hamas the opportunity to reload.
I agree 100%. It would be concessions in exchange for 1 or 2 years of infrequent bombing, and Hamas would have tons of weapons for the next time. But Israel has to be willing to re-occupy Gaza, or a Hudna is all we got.
Facts on the ground will dictate the outcome. While my gut tells me that an Israeli ground invasion and the complete elimination of Hamas is the right thing to do regardless of the opprobrium that Israel will suffer, my heard tells me to keep my eye on the ball. Iron Dome worked brilliantly and Egypt and Turkey, while mouthing support for Hamas, proved in the end, that they know which side their bread is buttered on and who supplies the butter; they did surprisingly little for Hamas except mouth the usual hateful words towards Israel. In reality, Hamas got the crap beaten out of them, had little or no support from the Arab States, including Hezbollah, and have likely given up some control to Egypt which is what Israel has been angling for. The Egyptian military obviously put the brakes on whatever victory Morsi desired for Hamas and the MB. The real target is Iran, and this scrimmage between Israel and Hamas is just a warm up for the main event coming soon. And, the message was sent to Hezbollah and the Lebanese government that complete and utter destruction awaits them if Israel chooses to take the gloves off. If a long term "Hudna" really takes hold policed by Egypt then Israel can concentrate on the Iranians possibly with U.S. support and diplomatic interference. I am not an Obama supporter but give Obama some credit on this. If a truce takes hold for a while and Hamas is more restrained then Obama finessed this pretty well.
I think this piece gives entirely too little notice to Iran as the driving force behind arming Gaza and determining when it would be most useful to have it as a distraction from its acquisition of nuclear weapons. Gaza is the perfect launching pad because all governments (even the PA) can disclaim responsibility. n nI do not see where Israel can afford to do less than ensure that every last missle is removed from Gaza, the tunnels destroyed and whatever measures necessary taken to make certain that no more missles are ever placed there. The nearest parallel is theSoviet plalcement of missles in Cuba. n nSo find the pretext and go in and get the job done for once and for all…and let the West Bank know that they never want to become a launching pad. Otherwise there will be three launching pads: Gaza, South Lebanon (Hezbollah) and the West Bank. And Israel will be so busy that, even if it wished, there will be no time and resources to stop Iran from going nuclear (no observant person thinks that Obama will do anything to stop it…it will be "oh well, so sad, we tried.").
One of the Democrats’ changes to their platform (from 2008) is that it had elminated recognizing Hamas as a terrorist organization. So, Jonathan might to on to something here.
Quit nagging as Israeli Herbivore Hikikomori. Jonathan! You’re zigzagging within Egypt, Turkey, Iran; PA & Hamas thinking that Obama is still has the power to strike a Peace Agreement for Israel as his predecessors did. It’s too late. Israel allowed to exist in the Middle East and protected by Bribed Thugocracies. Now they are gone. Israelis has to come face to face with Arabspringers. Gaza is 2 million outta 2 billion Arabspringers surrounded by 6 million Palestinians Traitors in Israel Proper, West Bank & Jordan who are happy to peace with Herbivore Hikikomori Israelis for living. That’s ain’t status quo no mo. Egypt, Turkey, Iran, PA & Hamas has no Authority on Arabspringers. Arabspringers blaming Hamas for not taking the war seriously with Israel and getting homicidal as Israelis. If an Israel collateral damage died outta fart 30 Arabspringers are murdered in cold-blood by IDF. That’s unacceptable. Hamas has the power to kill millions of Israelis and ground all Israel’s Prehistoric Jetfighters by makeshift surface to surface missiles. If Chinese got to space. I think Arabspringers can get to Tel Aviv. The White House knows this fact. That’s Obama & Hillary stopped Benzion Mileikowsky’s War with Arabspringers and DoD is using Drones instead IFF-FIFTIES in AFPAK. Hamas helped Israel to get headlines to enable tabooed Bibi get to the white House for a Mugshot with Obama. Now Shut-up, Sit-down & Listen to Jonathan S. Tobin is Senior Online Editor of Commentary magazine.. The published Rhetoric is a very Powerful Argument that attracts inflammatory commentaries. Urban Accuracy Requires Profanity to honestly deliver opinion on Thesaurusly exhausted Fiction Fortified Rhetoric based on Googledjunk & Wikitrash. The First Amendment gives you birthright to lie. The First Amendment gives you no birthright to sensor Fact. You have the right to edit my narrative to meet your Reader’s Perusal to. I will annal your noted commentary unedited below. Please don’t delete mine based on how I look or prejudice if any. Please let your readers read mine to. I am too old to spam & be deceptive. I mean no offense. Kudos. Your discretion is advised: nWHAT PRICE WILL OBAMA MAKE ISRAEL PAY? JONATHAN S. TOBIN n
double the dosage or cut it in half dude
There is an alternative possibility. Hamas and the people of Gaza have seen the gains the Arabs in the territories have made and they want in. Thus a short war to save face and a new direction. n nWe shall see how events unfold. If suicide bombings start up I will agree with the rest that it is all a sham. Time will tell.
And yet American jews again voted about 80% for 0bama. Whats wrong with them?
Beat me Daddy eight to the bar.