Barak: Israel Should Accept US Peace Plan

US Peace Plan to be Unveiled Soon

On Tuesday, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that the United States would present a Middle East peace plan within weeks and Israel should accept it.

Barak has held a series of meetings with U.S. President Barack Obama's Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, on Washington's demand for a Jewish settlement freeze. The news comes amid reports of increasing friction between the two allies over conflicting disagreements about future steps. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has so far been resistant to Washington's demand for a West Bank settlement freeze. The Palestinians have demanded that Israel halt its settlement activity in the West Bank before resuming negotiations. Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority were put on ice last December after Israel invaded the Gaza Strip.

Asked at a daily briefing in Washington on Monday when a peace plan might be announced by Mitchell, U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said: "I think it will be in a matter of weeks."

Barak has told a parliamentary committee that Israel should see the initiative as an opportunity to join in Mideast diplomacy, according to a statement from his office. He said the initiative is not completed yet, but that it will have elements that include talks with the Palestinians, security, anti-terrorism and regional arrangements, stating "I believe that Israel must take the lead in accepting the plan."

Republicans Troubled by US Mideast Policy

A U.S. delegation of Republican congressmen, led by House minority whip, Eric Cantor, visited Israel on Thursday and said that the Obama administration's policy on Israel is misguided, puts too much emphasis on the issue of settlements and ignores the bigger threat of a nuclear-armed Iran.

Cantor said Iran is the primary obstacle to Middle East peace because it poses a threat to both Israel and the United States if it develops nuclear weapons. Iran has said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

HEADLINES

Fatah extends stormy conference (BBC)

IDF reportedly training for pointed attack on Hezbollah (Ha'aretz)

Israel waging war of nerves against Iran and Hezbollah (Ha'aretz)

U.S. asks Israel for one-year settlement freeze (Ha'aretz)

Palestine and the Palestinians

Rights group: Hamas guilty of Gaza war crimes (Ha'aretz)

Hamas rocket attacks 'war crimes' (BBC)

West Bank: Discord at Fatah Meeting (New York Times)

Divisions rock Fatah conference (Al Jazeera)

Top Palestinian officials rule Israel to blame for Arafat death (Ha'aretz)

Israel

Israel 'would get tough' in any conflict with Lebanon (AFP)

Israeli troops 'ill-treat kids' (BBC)

Hackers attack Israeli party site(BBC)

Israel foreign minister visits divided village (AFP)

238 olim from US land in Israel (Ynet)

How East Jerusalem went from Jordanian to Israeli to disputed control (Christian Science Monitor)

The Neighbors

Bomb goes off in south Yemen; another defused (Gulf News)

Israel's Lieberman vows to resolve future of Ghajar (The Daily Star)

Jumblatt stresses unwavering alliance with PM-designate (Daily Star)

Iran bans pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia during Ramadan over swine flu fears (Gulf News)

Hariri expected to continue cabinet efforts abroad (Daily Star)

Saudis to Palestinians: No state without unity (Gulf News)

US Foreign Policy

Obama's Cairo Adress: Two Months On (Huffington Post)

US decision to honor Robinson slammed (Jerusalem Post)

Frank, Polis praise Israel for investigation into LGBT attack (JTA)

U.S. to Push Peace in Middle East Media Campaign (New York Times)

Reid signs pro-Israel letter (Politico)

International Relations/Law

Report: 'Sarkozy asked Netanyahu to release jailed Palestinian terrorist' (The Jerusalem Post)

UK foreign minister visits Lebanon on Mideast tour (Daily Star)

New Government Gaza Report Cites International Law To Defend Actions (Forward)

U.S. fuel sanctions to hurt Iran, a boon for traders (Reuters)

Arts and Activism

Traumatized children struggle to rise again (Electronic Intifada)

Misc.

Report: 'Sex and the City' star embroiled in West Bank controversy (Ha'aretz)

Commentary

Hishmeh: US stands to lose if peace process stalls (Gulf News)

Keinon: Israel vs. the world: Drawing battle lines over Jerusalem (Jerusalem Post)

Burge: A third uprising? (Electronic Intifada)

Levy: From Sheikh Jarrah to Sheikh Munis (Ha'aretz)

Hijab: Playing from strength in the Middle East (Counterpunch)

Andoni: Fatah needs more than superficial unity (Ma'an News)

Only a fresh, meaningful approach to politics by Hariri can save Lebanon (Daily Star)

Analysis: Israel vs the world: Drawing battle lines over Jerusalem (Jerusalem Post)

Beaver: Iran in arms race with Israel (Al Jazeera)

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.

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