Posted on 05/25/2011 1:18:21 PM PDT by reaganaut1
JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel returned from Washington on Wednesday to a nearly unanimous assessment among Israelis that despite his forceful defense of Israel’s security interests, hopes were dashed that his visit might advance Palestinian peace negotiations.
One of the widely articulated goals of his trip, where he met with President Obama and addressed Congress, was to find a way to lure the Palestinians back to direct negotiations, thereby preempting their plan to approach the United Nations in September for recognition of statehood within the pre-1967 lines.
Instead, the Palestinians now say, Mr. Netanyahu’s speeches convinced them that they have no negotiating partner. They plan to intensify their United Nations efforts, leaving Israelis worried about increasing international isolation and pressure, especially in light of the popular uprisings across the Arab world.
A cartoon in the centrist Yediot Aharonot newspaper summarized the concern. It showed Mr. Netanyahu’s returning plane flying near a volcano. Inside the plane someone says, “All in all, it was a very successful visit.” From the volcano, smoke rises that spells out “S-E-P-T-E-M-B-E-R.”
Newspapers and airwaves were filled with similar commentary.
Avi Dichter, a former head of the Shin Bet internal security service and a parliamentarian from the centrist Kadima party, said on Israel Radio, “My fear is that this round of speeches in the United States may leave us and the Palestinians with a closed door.”
...
A poll commissioned by Maariv newspaper found Mr. Netanyahu’s popularity up slightly after his Washington visit. Asked who was best suited to be prime minister of Israel, he took 36.9 percent. Second place went to Tzipi Livni, head of the centrist Kadima party, with 28.3 percent, followed by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, head of the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party, with 9.2 percent.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Were they quoting Sarah Silverman?
“JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel returned from Washington on Wednesday to a nearly unanimous assessment among Israelis that despite his forceful defense of Israel’s security interests, hopes were dashed that his visit might advance Palestinian peace negotiations. “
Oh, lordy. I’m so disappointed. Why can’t anyone advance Palestinian piece negotiations? Every day we still have part of Judah and Shomron is another day of heartache for me. Sob. Sniff. When will it ever end?/sarc
I’m sure the old grey whore, the NYT, could find
plenty of leftist peaceniks in Israel who would
see any attempt by Israel to demand reciprocity from
the Palistinians as closing the door on peace.
The PM’s speech laid down the corner stones of
Israels position, not some glitter and unicorn
land for peace, extinction of Israel in exchange
for a palistinian state pipe dream.
About time too.
Next year in Jerusalem, Israel’s undivided Capital!!!
One could only wish that the NYT would go out of business yesterday.... =.=
Netanyahu's popularity soaring following Washington trip
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/haaretz-poll-netanyahu-s-popularity-soaring-following-washington-trip-1.364068
Netanyahu's popularity soaring following Washington trip
He was awesome!
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