Israel-Palestine: What the US Should Do Now on Settlements (Walt)

If I were President Obama (and you can all be glad I'm not), I'd call my entire Middle East team into the Oval office for a little chat. Here's what I'd say:

"I made a promise to the American people, and to the world, that we would achieve 'two states for two peoples' during my first term. When I was in Cairo more than a year ago, I said this goal was in "America's interest, Israel's interest, the Palestinians' interest, and the world's interest." And I meant it. I trusted each of you to help me bring that goal about, and I've taken your advice for over twenty months. Let me be clear: it isn't working, and I'm not one who is satisfied with failure. Nor am I going to reward it. So I am telling each of you now: If you can't help me get this deal done within one year, I'm going to fire every one of you and get some new faces in here."

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Palestine Analysis: Abbas to Accept Israel's Build-Up of Settlements?

Speaking to US Jewish leaders in a phone call Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He also called the Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas a real partner for peace. 

Two days later, at a dinner in New York, the "partner of peace" would not say that a renewal of settlement construction in the West Bank would end peace talks. Abbas said:  "I can't say I will leave the negotiations, but it will be very difficult to continue if Netanyahu will announce that he will start building."

Therefore, if Abbas's demand to the Obama Administration to extend the freeze by three months, during which time the issue of borders would be discussions, cannot find traction this week, then Netanyahu's plan of a continued build-up of large settlements could be the de facto position until final borders are drawn up by both sides. 

As we said on 15 September, "It is unlikely, however, that Damocles' sword will be held over West Jerusalem. Instead, as we pass 26 September without resolution, the Palestinians are likely to face this choice: compromise on the settlements or be labelled as 'rejectionists', if not by Obama's representatives then by the Israelis with whom they are supposed to find an agreement."