A U.S.-Israel Point of Disagreement?During American envoy George Mitchell's tour of the region, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Palestinians must recognize Israel as a Jewish state. This past weekend, the United States' position on this was announced, and it undermined Netanyahu's: the Palestinians need not recognize Israel as Jewish state for talks to begin. Israel responded by claiming that the Prime Minister was 'not setting conditions' for negotiations.
This disagreement comes as Israel's new government is showing anxiety about relations with America. As the Economist reports, such concerns emerge with every new American President, yet there has been no significant challenge to the special relationship. Israel, however, is yet to form a solid stance on peace talks. The question remains if Netanyahu is going to stick to his campaign pledge of pursuing an "economic peace." Defense Minister Ehud Barak proposes Israel assert its own peace initiative, one loaded with pre-conditions, limitations and qualifications.
International Community Sidelines Palestinians at Racism Conference
At "the first World Conference Against Racism, held in 2001 in Durban, South Africa," the Christian Science Monitor notes, "the Israeli-Palestinian conflict took center stage." Many felt the numerous protests, side-events, and points in the substance of the recommendations derailed the conference because of the divisiveness of the issue. Following the Al-Aqsa intifada, it represented the emergence of a new global solidarity movement.
With the follow-up, which is going on currently in Geneva, Israel, the United States, and several states are boycotting, even after they negotiated down the conference's framework -- the draft was reduced from 45 to 17 pages. The UN's Rights Chief criticized the US withdrawal.
Nora Barrows-Friedman reported that:
Israel's actions in Palestine will be excluded from the formal framework at the Durban Anti-Racism Review Conference in Geneva Monday. Israel-Palestine has been deliberately eliminated from the official programme, structured by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN OHCHR). Civil society groups believe that the United States, countries within the European Union and Israel pressured the UN to omit a review of Israel's racial discrimination against Palestinians.Also, the UN High Commissioner's office canceled all of the side-events pertaining to Palestine. The side-events were one of the key spaces for the participation of Non-Governmental Organizations. This has forced international organizations and solidarity activists to arrange parallel events in Geneva.
The representatives of states who did attend were sensitive to criticism of Israel. European diplomats pledged to oppose any singling out of Israel. When earlier today Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad criticized Israel, diplomats walked out. The debate about whether of not Israel is racist towards the Palestinians may have been sidelined at the conference, but it is clear that many want it considered.
Israel's Extravagant Water Use QuestionedA parallel conference in Geneva made up of groups excluded from Durban II called into question Israel's disproportionate water consumption vis-a-vis the Palestinians. This followed a World Bank report that Israelis get four times more water than do Palestinians. This is not by accident, but is a design of the state's policies. Inconsistent and inadequate Palestinian water supply constitues a crisis, according to the Bank.
HEADLINES
Palestine and the Palestinians
Hamas: Egypt's reconciliation proposal "positive" (Xinhua)
HRW says Hamas must end Gaza political killings (AFP)
Video shows barrier protester being killed (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
IDF, Palestinian officials jointly probe death of Arab protester (Jerusalem Post)
IDF: Protester's death likely due to unauthorized fire (Ha'aretz)
Relatives: Bilin protestor was persistent in his struggle (Ynetnews)
PA: Land sales to Israeli Jews being investigated (Ma'an News Agency)
UN Palestinian refugee staff in Jordan on strike (AFP)
Palestinian teen killed by Israeli troops (The Associated Press)
Hamas 'killing' Palestinian foes (BBC News)
Thousands of Palestinian Christians prevented from entering Church (Palestine News Network)
PA cop shoots Hamas lawmaker in Nablus (Jerusalem Post)
Israeli settlers kidnap Palestinian shepherd near Hebron (Ma'an News Agency)
Israel
Hundreds protest in Tel Aviv over killing of Palestinian in Bil'in (Ha'aretz)
Sources: Netanyahu to re-examine Shalit case, drop envoy (Ha'aretz)
MI Chief: Obama's Mideast policy threatens Israel (Ha'aretz)
US Foreign Policy
Will Congress Agree to Ease Conditions on Aid to Palestinians? (CQPolitics.com)
US envoy Mitchell holds talks with Saudi king (AFP)
The Neighbors
Lebanon's first ambassador to Syria takes office (Ha'aretz)
Egypt opens Gaza border crossing (BBC News)
'Egypt should be isolating Lieberman' (Ynetnews)
PA official slams expected meeting between Suleiman, Lieberman (Ynetnews)
Iraq pledges to protect its Palestinian residents (The Associated Press)
International Relations/Law
Israel recalls Swiss envoy to protest Durban II (Ha'aretz)
Activism
Human rights letter to go on Separation Wall (PRESS TV)
Pro-Palestinian activists strategize in Geneva (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Video: Israeli conductor sparks Cairo controversy - 17 Apr 09 (Al Jazeera, English)
The Scottish TUC and boycotts against Israel (Workers' Liberty)
Arts
British playwright takes aim at Israel barrier (BBC News)
Wall, at the Royal Court, SW1 (Times Online)
Film review: Musical resistance in "Telling Strings" (Electronic Intifada)
Misc.
Al-Jazeera ‘suing Palestinian media agency over Gaza war' (Ma'an News Agency)
Palestinian ‘Disneyland' brings joy – and anguish – to families (RT)
Commentary
News Analysis: How far will US go in Mideast peace mission? (Xinhua)
Resistance organizer to PNN: Israeli forces target Palestinian future (Palestine News Network)
Ariel Zillber: Durban II / Israel's boycott gives its critics the upper hand (Ha'aretz)
Nadia Hijab: Obama’s Multi-Polar Middle East (Agence Global)
Views expressed on this post or on linked web pages do not represent the Palestine Center, the educational program of the Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development. All content is for educational purposes only.
