Israel Matzav

Obama calls for 'peace negotiations' but doesn't call to congratulate Netanyahu

The second coinciding terms of Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Hussein Obama isn't likely to be any more cordial than the first. At the White House press briefing on Wednesday, Press Secretary Jay Carney issued a call for negotiations with the 'Palestinians' to resume (a call clearly designed to influence the choice of coalition here in Israel), and said that Obama would 'likely' call Prime Minister Netanyahu to congratulate him on his reelection.

White House spokesman Jay Carney declined to speculate on Netanyahu's efforts to forge a new governing coalition after center-left parties scored surprising gains but said President Barack Obama would likely call the prime minister to congratulate him on his election win.

"We believe that what needs to take place is direct negotiations between the two parties (Israelis and Palestinians) that addresses the final-status issues and results in a two-state solution," Carney told reporters when asked about the possible consequences of the election for moribund peace efforts.

Notice what's missing: No 'without preconditions.' Look for pressure for another 'settlement freeze' to start in 4... 3... 2...1....

And Obama still hasn't called to congratulate Netanyahu. A Google search shows that while the United States congratulated Israel on its democratic elections, Obama still hasn't called Netanyahu to congratulate him

We're off to a great start, aren't we? What could go wrong?

Labels: Barack Hussein Obama, Binyamin Netanyahu, Knesset elections 2013

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:22 AM