Obama Calls Netanyahu
Ha'aretz reports that President Obama called Prime Minister Netanyahu today to express his pleasure that indirect "proximity" talks between Israelis and Palestinians are about to begin. But his main point was to urge the prime minister to get to direct negotiations with the Palestinians as soon as possible.
The Israeli daily reported that "Obama's peace efforts received a boost on Saturday when Arab states approved four months of 'proximity talks', which were expected to begin in March but suffered a delay due to Israel's announcement of a settlement project in East Jerusalem."
Various reports in Israel indicate that Netanyahu has ordered that all major settlement activity around Jerusalem be delayed pending negotiations. Of course, Netanyahu says that he does not have full control of his various ministries, so it is possible that the bulldozers will still manage to subvert negotiations.
Obama intends to see to it that indirect negotiations are quickly replaced by direct negotiations on "final status" issues, the most important of which is determination of Israel's borders. Once agreement is reached on what is Israel, and what is Palestine, it is not hard to address most of the other issues dividing the two sides -- including Jerusalem, refugees, etc. Absent an agreement on borders, it is near impossible to reach agreement on anything else.
The United States should also encourage the Palestinians to form a unity government. It is unrealistic to believe that a lasting agreement can be reached with Hamas-controlled Gaza left outside the tent. In the past, Hamas has said it would permit Mahmoud Abbas, in his capacity as head of the PLO, to negotiate on behalf of all Palestinians. That offer should be pursued.
The United States should also do its part toward facilitating Palestinian unity by using its leverage to get Israel to lift the blockade of Gaza.
In any case, the Obama approach toward Israel and Palestine seems to be bearing fruit. And both Israelis and Palestinians recognize that Barack Obama will be President for another three, and more likely seven, years. They have no choice but to play ball.
