Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Khaled Abu Toameh: Why Abbas Will (Again) Say No
Now Abbas is going to mislead Obama into thinking that he is coming to meet with him not only as the "rightful" leader of the Palestinians but also as a representative of the Arab world. Never mind that the Arab League, which issued the statement, is considered extremely inefficient and incompetent and that no one in the Arab world takes it seriously.Arafat Recognized Jewish State, Why Won't Abbas?
But the Obama Administration does not seem to care. Obama and Kerry seem to want a deal at any cost, even if it is with a president who lost his legitimacy many years ago and even if the deal will unravel the day after.
Abbas also believes he can say no to Obama because the U.S. Administration will not take any retaliatory measures against the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinians do not take Obama seriously, especially in light of his failure in dealing with the crises in the Arab world and Ukraine.
The Arab League is endorsing Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' refusal to accept Israel as a Jewish state as a part of any peace agreement.Poll: Two-thirds of Israeli Jews don't trust Kerry on security
But in taking this position, Abbas – considered by the Obama administration to be a moderate Palestinian leader with whom a deal can be struck – is not going as far as his predecessor. Yasser Arafat recognized Israel as a Jewish state at least twice. In an undated video, Arafat said the PNC (Palestine National Council) accepted two states. One Palestinian, and a "Jewish state... Israel."
"The PNC has accepted two states. Palestine state and Jewish state... Israel."
Arafat also unequivocally accepted Israel's Jewish character during a 2004 interview. Asked whether Israel should endure as a Jewish state, Arafat's reply simply was, "Definitely."
Sixty-six percent of Israeli Jews and 53% of Israeli Arabs do not trust US Secretary of State John Kerry to take Israel’s security into account in the American framework agreement he intends to reveal next month, according to the monthly Peace Index poll sponsored by the Israel Democracy Institute and Tel Aviv University, which was published Tuesday afternoon.
Thirty-one percent of Israeli Jews and 32% of Arab Israelis do trust Kerry to take into account Israel’s security. Among Israelis who consider themselves left-wing, the number was 79%.
Sixty-one percent of Jewish Israelis and 56% of Israeli Arabs believe that Kerry’s main motivation for reaching a framework agreement is a personal interest in making history as a statesman where others before him had failed. Only 22% of Jewish Israelis and 16% of Arab Israelis believe Kerry is motivated by honest concern for the future of the two parties. Eight percent of Jewish Israelis and 14% of Arab Israelis believe he is equally motivated by the chance to make history and concern the parties.
In Rejecting Israel as 'Jewish State,' Arab League Destroys Obama's Peace Efforts
Though Israel cautiously welcomed the Arab Peace Initiative, it did not consider it a serious proposal, partly because it meant giving up Jerusalem, and partly because it did not solve the problem of Palestinian "refugees" from the 1948 war that Arab states started against Israel (few of whom are actual refugees from that conflict). Their suspicion was that the Arab League would use Palestinian refugees to overwhelm, and hence end, Israel.PM: Palestinian obstinacy moving us further from peace
That suspicion turns out to have been well-founded. In rejecting Israel as a Jewish state, the Arab League has proved conclusively that it was never serious about peace, but merely seeking another way of destroying Israel. Rather than end the conflict, the Arab League has instead deferred to the Islamic concept of Dar al-Islam, according to which lands once conquered by Islamic empires can never be returned to non-Muslim control.
Moreover, the Arab League has effectively sunk President Barack Obama's latest push for Israeli-Palestinian peace. Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry made clear last year that they saw the Arab Peace Initiative as the basis for their renewed efforts. Yet if the Arab Peace Initiative cannot contemplate accepting Israel as a Jewish state, there is no reason for Israel to consider it a serious proposal, nor for Palestinians to compromise.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Palestinian obstinacy is diminishing the prospects for a peace agreement.Fatah refuses to recognize Jewish state
Speaking at a Likud faction meeting, Netanyahu said that in light of recent Palestinian statements, "we are farther away from an agreement, because of the Palestinians. They said this week that they will never recognize a Jewish state and will never give up on the right of return."
"I want to make clear that I won't bring forth a deal that does not negate the right of return and does not require Palestinian recognition of a Jewish state. For the State of Israel, these are fundamental conditions that are legitimate and essential," Netanyahu said.
"The Palestinians are not showing any signs of willingness to enter a practical and fair agreement."
The Revolutionary Council of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday unanimously endorsed his rejection of demands to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, officials at the meeting told AFP.State Department Spokeswoman Denies Jewish State Comments Reported by Palestinian Paper
“President Abbas has reaffirmed his refusal to recognize the Jewishness of the State of Israel and council members stood up to hail this decision,” a senior Fatah official said from the meeting in Ramallah.
Abbas said in his speech to delegates that “at 79 years old, he wasn’t going to back down on his people’s rights or betray their cause,” despite the “great pressure being exerted,” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki on Monday said a Palestinian publication recently “distorted” a statement she made last week about Israel’s demand to be recognized as a Jewish state.Islamic Jihad says Israeli air strike kills 3 Gaza operatives
The Jerusalem-based paper Al-Quds quoted Psaki as telling one of its reporters during a press briefing on Friday that recognition of Israel as a Jewish state by the Palestinian Authority “is not necessary”, according to The Times of Israel.
Psaki dismissed the claims via Twitter, writing, that the publication “distorted/fabricated my quote,” and that she “did not do an interview with Al Quds.”
The Israel Air Force struck an Islamic Jihad cell in southern Gaza on Tuesday minutes after it was identified as being behind an attack on an IDF unit on the Gaza-Israel border.IDF kills Palestinian, says he threw rocks at cars
According to military sources, the terrorists fired a mortar shell at soldiers who were conducting routine security measures near the frontier.
The Islamic Jihad said that the Israeli strike killed three of its operatives.
The IDF confirmed the aircraft’s hit on the terror cell. The aircraft then returned safely to its base. The army added that it would not tolerate any attack on military forces operating along the border.
“During an ambush operation to catch rock throwers near Beit El, an IDF force opened fire on a Palestinian who was throwing rocks at an Israeli vehicle and a bus,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed in a statement. “The Palestinian was killed. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.”IDF: Slain Jordanian attacked soldier with metal pole
According to the IDF, the location, on Route 60 near the Givat Assaf outpost, is a popular spot for throwing rocks.
The Jordanian judge shot and killed by IDF forces at the Allenby border crossing Monday had attacked an Israeli soldier and tried to steal his weapon, according to the IDF.Israel ‘regrets’ killing Jordanian-Palestinian judge
“The preliminary conclusion of the investigation indicates that the terrorist attacked the soldier. He charged at the soldiers with a metal pole shouting ‘Allah Akbar,’ and then attempted to seize a soldier’s weapon, prompting the soldiers to respond by firing towards his lower extremities, in line with standard operating procedures,” the IDF said in a statement.
“The suspect then began to strangle a soldier and the force resorted to using live fire once again.”
“Israel regrets the death of Judge Raed Zeiter yesterday at the King Hussein (Allenby) bridge and expresses its sympathies to the people and government of Jordan,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.The death that’s provoking a storm in Amman
On the heels of the death of a Jordanian citizen Monday morning from Israeli fire on the Allenby Bridge, a complex storm brewed, not unexpectedly, in Amman.Jordanians Demand Investigation on Terrorist's Shooting
The level of hostility towards Israel is constantly on the increase in Jordan, and Monday’s incident allowed locals to let off some steam by marching towards the Israeli Embassy and attempting to break into it.
The protesters demanded that the Israeli ambassador be expelled from Jordan and that the embassy be closed. Some of them burned Israeli flags. However, Jordanian security forces managed to maintain control.
Jordan's foreign minister summoned the Israeli charge d'affaires to "strongly condemn" the shooting and demand an immediate probe, a statement said. "The Jordanian government is expecting a comprehensive report on the incident from the Israeli government. Jordan wants an immediate investigation without any delay," a statement quoted Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh as saying. The Palestinian Authority also strongly condemned the incident and demanded an "international investigation" into the circumstances of Zeiter's death.Context-Free Headlines
Around 200 people demonstrated outside the Israeli embassy in Amman, demanding the Jordanian government expel the Israeli ambassador."We don't want a Zionist embassy on Jordanian territory! Down with the peace agreement" between the two countries, they chanted.
Not everybody reads articles. You just see headlines as you quickly your news sites and social media feeds.White House finally condemns Iran for arms shipment
Which is why this AP headline contains all the info most people will know about yesterday’s incident at the Allenby Bridge border crossing.
"ISRAELIS SHOOT, KILL JORDANIAN JUDGE AT BORDER"
You have to read the article to find out that Raed Zueter tried to grab a gun from a soldier.
AFP’s no better. "Israeli troops kill Jordanian judge at border crossing"
The Obama administration publicly rebuked Iran on Monday over a shipment of Gaza-bound missiles that was intercepted last Wednesday in the Red Sea by the Israeli Navy.Netanyahu blasts ‘hypocrisy’ of the West on Iranian arms cache
Given the five days it took for the White House to issue an official condemnation, it appeared as though the administration needed time to reconcile evidence of Iran’s state-sponsorship of terrorism with the ongoing diplomatic push to reach a deal on capping Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
“It is important to make clear that even as we continue efforts to resolve our concerns over Iran’s nuclear program through diplomacy, we will continue, in coordination with our partners and allies, to push back against Iranian support for terrorism, threats against our friends and partners, and violations of human rights,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said at a briefing.
Surrounded by a cache of missiles, part of an alleged Iranian arms shipment to the Gaza Strip seized on board the Klos-C last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harshly rebuked the international community Monday for clinging to what he said was the illusion of a changed Iran, even after an Israeli raid to intercept the ship uncovered the cache of advanced arms.IDF Seizure of Gaza-Bound Missiles Sheds Light on Non-Nuclear Elements of Iran’s Strategy
Before making his statement, Netanyahu was briefed by military officials among the rows of weapons, marked with Iranian seals, neatly arrayed at the port. The arms, the officials said, included M-302 missiles with a range of up to 160-kilometers (100 miles). The officials said the Iranian-shipped, Syrian-made missiles were capable of causing more damage than the Iranian-made M-75 or Fajr-5 missiles used by Hamas against Israel in the past.
While much international attention continues to focus on the Iranian nuclear program and diplomatic efforts to address it, the Israeli Navy’s March 5 interception of an Iranian ship full of Syrian-made missiles bound for Palestinian terrorist groups in Gaza sheds new light on other dimensions of the Islamic Republic’s strategy.Report: Hamas, Iran Strengthen Ties After Weapons Ship Raid
“The nuclear program is the fast mover in international discussions, but the delivery capabilities are extremely important,” Ilan Berman, vice president of the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington, DC, told JNS.org. “The Iranians are working very diligently on expanding the scope and legality of their missile program (a delivery vehicle for nuclear weapons).”
Hamas announced renewed diplomatic relations with Iran on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after Israel broadcasted the list of contents of the Islamic Republic's weapons shipment to Gaza.Palestinians retract charge against IDF in West Bank death
“The Hamas movement and Iran have taken special measures and we will see many changes in these relations soon,” senior Hamas official Mahmoud Al-Zahar announced Monday.
Semi-official Fars news agency noted that the announcement came just two days after Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani announced that Iran's relationship with the terror organization had begun to normalize.
Palestinian security sources retracted Tuesday an accusation, made earlier in the day, that the IDF had fired on a Palestinian driver in the West Bank, killing him and causing his car to crash.EU Foreign Affairs Chief Denies Being 'Forced' To Wear Hijab to Iran Meetings
According to a Ma’an News report, driver Fidaa Muhye Addin Majadlah was killed and passenger Ibrahim Adnan Shukri was seriously injured after their car went off the road and flipped over. Both men were from Tulkarem.
A Palestinian security source had initially told AFP that IDF forces had fired on the vehicle. The news agency retracted the story after the Palestinians notified them that “their information on army gunfire was incorrect.”
The office of the European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has denied that the EU boss was forced to wear a hijab at meetings held in Iran alongside Mohammad Javad Zarif, her Iranian counterpart.Iran warns Austrian embassy over Ashton meeting with rights activists: IRNA
Though the meetings were criticised by some for Ashton's failure to acknowledge Iran's ongoing state-sponsorship of terrorism, others have also noted that Ashton's 'choice' to wear hijab at the meetings, in deference to a custom which is argued to oppress Muslim women.
The incident comes just over a month after Italy's foreign minister, Emma Bonino, was reported to have been 'forced' to wear the hijab at meetings in Iran. Iranian press reported that after Bonino's plane landed in Tehran, an official carrying three head scarves boarded and asked Bonino to put one on before getting off the plane.
Ashton met several human rights activists including the mother of Iranian blogger Sattar Beheshti at the embassy on Saturday, which coincided with international women's day. Beheshti died in jail a few days after he was arrested in 2012 over a blog critical of the government.Syria Set to “Miss a Major Deadline” in Dismantling Chemical Weapons Arsenal, Again
"These actions (the meeting) will lead to an increased suspicion between our people and the West and it doesn't help relations between Iran and Europe," Iranian foreign ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham was quoted as saying by IRNA.
Prospects for smooth implementation of the deal grew even dimmer last Friday, with NATO announcing that it would halt joint missions with the Russians aimed at securing and destroying Syrian chemical weapons.Syrian TV blames you-know-who for crisis in Ukraine
Observers working to unpack the implications of the Crimean crisis had already worried that the spiraling tensions – which have pitted the West against Russia – would negatively impact efforts aimed at dampening violence in Syria. The White House had been criticized before and after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for leaning too heavily on Russian President Vladimir Putin to assist in promoting a workable solution to Syria’s almost three-year-long war.
Wondering what exactly is going on in the Ukraine? Wonder no more as Syrian TV station Al Ikhbaria has all the answers!Turkey Observers: “Scandal,” “Sad Day” as White House Flat-Out Denies Erdogan Boasts Regarding Obama Phone Call
The Zionist Lobby has a strong presence on the field in the Ukraine, a fact which has been clear right from the beginning of the events. And its goal was also clear: ignite the Ukrainian arena and strike at the stability on Russia’s Western border.
However it appears that this goal has other aspects which benefit Israeli interests. Sources state that the lobby is trying to get Ukrainian Jews to emigrate to the Occupied Lands. For the shaking of Ukraine’s stability is nothing other than the creation of a state of fear among Ukrainian Jews, compelling them them to go to Occupied Palestine.
A White House senior official late last Friday flat-out denied recent boasts made by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, given to Turkish TV in a live interview, that had Erdogan instructing President Barack Obama to take “the necessary stance” against a U.S.-based foe of the Turkish political leader and Obama replying “we got the message.”Turkish Jews accuse ex-minister of anti-Semitism
Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) have been locked in open political warfare with Turkish officials linked to U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, with Gulenists in judiciary institutions ensnaring a number of AKP elites in a series of graft scandals.
Turkish media quoted Erdogan bragging that he had told Obama that the U.S. had to take steps against Gulen and that Obama had “looked at [the demand] positively.”
Çağlayan, a lawmaker from Turkey’s ruling AKP party who was linked to the scandal in December, had said that he wouldn’t be surprised if “Jews, Zoroastrians or atheists” were behind the investigation, as a Muslim wouldn’t have opened the graft probe to begin with.
“This nation is aware what kind of a mentality we are struggling with,” Çağlayan said Saturday at a public rally in Mersin, in southern Turkey. “If Jews, Zoroastrians or atheists do this to us, I would understand it. But if the one who does this [against us] is passing himself off as a Muslim, shame on him.”
Turkey’s chief rabbinate issued a harsh response to Çağlayan’s comments, saying they constituted a crime against humanity due to their anti-Semitic character and accusing the ex-minister of “attacking” Judaism.
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