Obama administration will continue to fund 'Palestinian Authority' including Hamas
In a story about Prime Minister Netanyahu's upcoming meeting with President Obama on May 20, YNet notes that the President is not 'fundamentally opposed' to Hamas and Fatah reconciling. Unlike Israel, the US isn’t fundamentally opposed to a Hamas-Fatah deal but would like to review the specifics of the agreement. The US does not recognize Hamas and is against its presence in a Palestinian government as long as it fails to meet the Quartet demands – recognizing Israel's right to exist and previous agreements and denouncing terror and violence.YNet goes on to point out that means that Obama will still expect Netanyahu to make 'gestures' to bring the 'Palestinians' to the bargaining table.
Jennifer Rubin reports that it's worse than that. Obama plans to continue to fund the 'Palestinian Authority' despite the fact that Hamas is now part of it. This is from a conversation she had with a State Department official speaking on background.
We understand the concerns of some members of Congress. As a new Palestinian government is formed, we will assess it based on its policies and will determine the implications for our assistance based on U.S. law. Going forward, with respect to the agreement, what is important now is that the Palestinians ensure implementation of that agreement advances the prospects of peace rather than undermines them. We have made clear that we will only work with a Palestinian Authority government that unambiguously and explicitly commits to nonviolence, recognition of the State of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations between the parties, including the Roadmap.Bottom line: Obaama is leaving the spigot on.
Jennifer goes on to cite several members of Congress off the record and Jonathan Schanzer, all of whom essentially say 'this shall not stand.' I wish I could share their confidence. Less than 24 hours ago, I blogged a story that pointed out that Congress has ceded most of its control over US aid to the 'Palestinians' by allowing the President to certify compliance in lieu of real compliance with Congressional dictates.
What could go wrong?
Labels: Barack Obama, Hamas-Fatah reconciliation, US foreign aid
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:26 PM
5 Comments:
The point Obama like the Europeans is viscerally anti-Israel.
Netanyahu needs to draw a line in the sand. More unilateral Israeli concessions is not going bring about peace.
That is bottom line and peace is certainly not going to happen with a Palestinian government half of which doesn't want peace with Israel under any circumstances.
Netanyahu needs to deliver the message to Obama the peace process is over and the Palestinians made their choice and now Israel will have look after its own interests.
What could go wrong indeed
"We have made clear that we will only work with a Palestinian Authority government that unambiguously and explicitly commits to nonviolence, recognition of the State of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations between the parties, including the Roadmap."
None of which is true, if it ever was. The PA publicly argues Hamas doesn't need to recognize Israel, has broken out of the roadmap, and unambiguously celebrates terrorists as martyrs. Way past time for Bibi to be undiplomatic. Lawrence of Obama cannot rescue Abbas' fat from the fire faster than Israel can put it in.
Jimmy Carter gave away O's sentiments in his op-ed in yesterday's Washington Post. Read it and weep. Obama is Jimmy Carter.
~ Halli Casser-Jayne
http://www.thecjpoliticalreport.com
Maybe the Obamii are backing out of dealing with a Fatah-Hamas partnership. Sec State Clinton is tiptoeing up to conditioning cooperation with a "unity government" on Hamas agreeing [publicly?] to Quartet conditions of recognizing Israel, forswearing violence, etc.
http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=219455
But that's today. Good for the moment it was spoken...
J-Street's Ami urges kumbiyah and giving Fatahamistan a chance:
http://www.jpost.com/JewishWorld/JewishNews/Article.aspx?id=219429
Hamas' Marshal kicks dirt in the campfire, stomps on the marshmallows, and condemns US Bin Laden hit as "an atrocity"
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