Washington – President Barack Obama warned on Tuesday that Israel and the Palestinians would be held accountable if either side takes actions that undermine U.S.-mediated talks launched this week, the White House said.
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Obama issued the pledge in a phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in which he also urged both parties to negotiate “seriously and in good faith” and move from indirect talks to direct negotiations as soon as possible.
Getting the two sides to revive negotiations, even in a format Washington has dubbed “proximity” talks, marks Obama’s most tangible Middle East achievement since he took office last year. But expectations remain low for any kind of breakthrough.
Speaking to Abbas after U.S. envoy George Mitchell opened the first round of Middle East peace talks in 18 months, Obama sought to maintain pressure on Israel and the Palestinians to keep the fragile diplomatic effort on track.
“The president confirmed his intention to hold both sides accountable for actions that undermine trust during the talks,” the White House said in a summary of Obama’s conversation with Abbas.
The White House did not elaborate on Obama’s warning. But the United States has long-standing concerns about Israeli settlement construction and Palestinian violence.
Though Abbas had backed off on a demand for a full halt to Israeli settlement building on occupied land before any talks, he has spoken of U.S. assurances that Israel will not do anything “provocative” to derail the negotiations.
Obama’s statement appeared in part aimed at satisfying Abbas’ fears that Israel’s right-leaning government might announce further expansion of Jewish housing in and around Jerusalem.
The settlement issue has strained ties between Washington and close ally Israel.
‘PREVENT ACTS OF INCITEMENT’
The White House said Obama also urged Abbas to “do everything he can to prevent acts of incitement or delegitimization of Israel.” Abbas is weakened politically by the Islamist group Hamas’ control of the Gaza Strip while he only governs in the West Bank.
Obama, who has stressed his commitment to Israel’s security, also reiterated his support for establishment of an “independent, viable Palestinian state living in peace and security with Israel.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who heads a coalition government dominated by pro-settler parties, has rejected a total freeze on construction of Jewish settlements in occupied territory.
But no new Israeli housing projects in East Jerusalem have been approved since March, raising speculation Netanyahu has imposed a de facto moratorium that could keep talks ticking while avoiding a showdown with his far-right coalition partners.
U.S. plans for indirect talks were stymied in March, when Israel angered Washington and the Palestinians by announcing during a visit by Vice President Joe Biden a project to build 1,600 new homes in the Ramat Shlomo settlement.
Mitchell, who returns to the Middle East next week for further shuttle diplomacy, has made no public comments since the Palestine Liberation Organization approved four months of indirect talks on Saturday.
There goes the teacher again – wagging his finger at Israel…..
So arrogantly typical of the Messiah, surprise, surprise..
Obama is coming off as a pompous Baal Gaava talking down to Israel in th spirit of moral equivalence, as if they were two children.
Anyone who understands what the middle east fight is all about, knows peace at that region is an oxymoron, its dillusional for the president to think he can make peace.
Besides the fact that he has lost the trust from the israel partners
Let’s face it Israel doesn’t really want to talk to the Palestinians and the Palestinians are not interested in listening to Israel, so why waste everyones time. Oh Obama wants a legacy, so let him make summits a whole day. He can keep on with his summits…..
Obama a bone head, lame duck lair
Obama has no experience in international diplomacy. He thinks that America can bully Israel into anything it wants. He learned a few lessons and he has a few more lessons to learn.
Why blame Obama for anything? As President of the USA he is merely acting in what he perceives is for the best of USA’s interests. The fault lies solely with the Israeli political establishment and all the rabonim worldwide, individually and collectively they bow to the false god called America. Our right to Eretz Yisroel comes from Hashem. Why don’t the Charedi and Orthodox rabonim and all the shomer shabos and right wing Israeli politicians repeat every day, “Israel belongs to the Jewish people. If the arabs don’t like it they can leave and move to Jordan which is the Palestinian Arab state taken from the Jewish Homeland.”
The world will continue to treat us exactly as we allow them to treat us.
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Interesting when he mentions something positive, he’ll mention the Pals first, while when it’s something negative it’s the other way around. Besides, what is the threats all about if he plans to keep his promise not to “impose” a peace process?
Interesting he forgot to put his feet on the table as he does when he talks to Bibi.
it is relatively quete now, as soon as they start direct negotiations, kasams will fall on Israel, so who needs such negotiations? Only Obama, so he can get second Nobel price!
Obama has no chance of any success in the middle east
He thinks its Ireland or serbia
This will be one of deepests holes the question is just who else will supper besides him
Hussein Obama ,this marxist communist traitor will destroy his own country before he will manage to do any damage for Israel,
It is us citizens here in the U.S who have to fear this leftist jihadist sympatizer
Is OhBummer trying to be the :dictator” of the world? Did he force Merkel from Germany to approve the Greece bailout? Anyone see the Times today?
The last guy who wanted to become dictator of the world had his mapuleh.
& on what is HE held accountable?
NO GILAD NO TALKS
I more and more believe that the best path for Peace is to Rename Jordan “Palestine” because it is half of the Palestine Mandate Territory and the majority of its Citizens are Palestinian Arabs. The Arabs of the West Bank should become Citizens of the new Jordanian Palestine. They can then run a Kingdom and appoint a new Palestinian King. They can have many Princes and Princesses and a Royal Court of Nobels. Then they can live in peace and prosperity with their Iraqi, Syrian, Saudi and Egyptian neighbors. This is the best possible option for peace. King Hussein can then return to Saudi Arabia and summer in Britain with his family.