Diplomacy with Iran Still U.S. PolicyPresident Barack Obam clarified statements made Sunday by Vice President Joe Biden regarding Israel’s right to attack Iran over nuclear weapons. VP Biden had stated on ABC’s “This Week” that:
[The US] cannot dictate to another sovereign nation what they can and cannot do. Israel can determine for itself — it’s a sovereign nation — what’s in their interest and what they decide to do relative to Iran and anyone else.President Obama - on an oversees visit to Russia before the G8 summit in Italy later this week - responded to questions about Biden's comments, stating they are not indicative of a change in U.S. foreign policy toward Iran. Ha'aretz reported that President Obama denied a shift in policy and reiterated that diplomacy with Iran is the current American path to a peaceful solution.
Biden's remarks came at a sensitive time when the U.S. is trying to engage the Iranian government in diplomacy over its suspected nuclear weapons program. The comments also come the week after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei charged Western governments with interference in post-election demonstrations by opposition forces loyal to Mir Hossein Mousavi. The Times quoted Ayatollah Khamenei as warning "the leaders of those countries trying to take advantage of the situation: beware. The Iranian nation will react."
Mitchell and Barak Meet in London
US envoy George Mitchell met in London with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak to continue their ongoing dialogue on Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The AFP reported that the joint statement did not reinforce the White House's call for a complete settlement freeze. According to both sides, discussions were constructive, but no futher talks have been scheduled.
HEADLINES
Egypt reassures Israel on Shalit (BBC)
Germany FM urges Syria to restrain Hamas and Hezbollah (Ha'aretz)
Mousavi Promises To Continue Protests (Washington Post)
Minister calls for Jewish takeover of Palestinian areas in Israel (Electronic Intifada)
Abbas willing to continue peace talks if Israel halts settlement construction (Ma'an)
Gaza: Fatah, PFLP, DFLP, PPP meet to discuss unity without Hamas (Ma'an)
Palestine and the Palestinians
Palestinian children rally against Israeli blockade (Xinhua)
High judge orders brides, grooms tested for H1N1 before court issues marriage certificate (Ma'an)
Israeli forces at Erez bar infant travelling with mother and sick toddler from leaving Strip (Ma'an)
Abbas orders release of 40 Hamas detainees (Times of India)
PFLP: Hamas and Fatah do not want unity (Ma'an)
Israel Releases Hamas Lawmaker, Resident of East Jerusalem (Xinhua)
Israel
Troops sleep while Palestinians infiltrate Israel (Ynet)
Report: Israel fears U.S. ‘no’ on Iran attack (JTA)
Wary of naked force, Israelis eye cyberwar on Iran (Reuters)
Why don't Russian-speaking Jews trust Obama? (Ha'aretz)
The Neighbors
Sleiman, Hariri denounce Israeli premier's threat to hit Lebanon (Daily Star)
Riyadh, Kuwait denies green light for Israeli planes to use airspace (Gulf News)
Israel sets boundaries for the future role of the Golan Heights (Dispatch Online)
Three supporters of a rebel leader in Yemen sentenced to death (Gulf News)
Riyadh urges independent Lebanese cabinet formation (Daily Star)
Netanyahu trying to shape cabinet makeup (Daily Star)
Sub seen returning to Israel via Suez (Jerusalem Post)
US Foreign Policy
Israel 'Spy Scandal' Figure Larry Franklin Breaks Silence (CQ Politics)
Obama Speech Cites Shared U.S.-Russian Interests (Ha'aretz)
International Relations/Law
Prosecutors appeal Al Bashir genocide decision (Gulf News)
Report: Thousands of African migrants illegally entering Israel (Xinhua)
'US pressure' makes Israel drop India jet venture (AFP)
Iran Jews in Israel prefer Ahmadinejad (Jerusalem Post)
Arts and Activism
Israel releases former U.S. congresswoman: group (Reuters)
US activists at Rafah, request to cross into Gaza with 1 million in supplies (Ma'an)
Palestinian youngsters make music in former prison (Reuters)
Guggenheim Museum buys new work by Palestinian artist (Ha'aretz)
Book review: Lebanon's political posters as sites of struggle (Electronic Intifada)
Misc.
Israeli archaeologists discover ancient quarry (AP)
The Kibbutz movement is alive and well - in Seattle (Ha'aretz)
Commentary
Analysis: Why Israel won't evacuate West Bank outposts (Ha'aretz)
Abunimah: Hamas' choice: Recognition or resistance in the age of Obama (Electronic Intifada)
Makdisi: The ruse of a Palestinian state on offer (Dissident Voice)
Katz: Is the PM shifting Obama's attention from the Palestinian issue to Iran? (Jerusalem Post)
Burston: this is what is wrong with a Jewish state (Ha'aretz)
Cook: Israel calls on ultra-Orthodox Jews to stop 'Arab Takeover' (Counterpunch)
Abunimah: Hamas' choice: recognition or resistance in the age of Obama (Electronic Intifada)
Lebanon's response to Netanyahu's threats must go beyond denunciation (Daily Star)
Baker: We Arabs have had enough (Al Ahram)
El-Amir: The arm-twisting game (Al Ahram)
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.
