JERUSALEM, Oct. 13, 2009
Palestinian Memo: Obama Hopes "Evaporated"
Internal Document Circulated Among President Abbas' Party Members says White House Bowed to "Zionist Lobby"
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President Obama meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in New York, Sept. 22, 2009, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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The Fatah Party memorandum, obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press, accuses the United States of backing off from its demands that Israel freeze settlement construction and failing to set a clear agenda for new Mideast peace talks.
It wasn't immediately clear whether the Oct. 12 document reflected Abbas' views or was intended to be leaked as Fatah's attempt to pressure President Obama to bear down harder on Israel.
The document said the Palestinians have lost hope in Mr. Obama and accused the American leader of caving in to pressure from pro-Israel lobbyists in Washington.
"All hopes placed in the new U.S. administration and President Obama have evaporated," said the document issued by Fatah's Office of Mobilization and Organization. The department is headed Fatah's No. 2, Mohammed Ghneim.
Mr. Obama, it claimed, "couldn't withstand the pressure of the Zionist lobby, which led to a retreat from his previous positions on halting settlement construction and defining an agenda for the negotiations and peace."
Abbas' aides had no comment on the memorandum, and Ghneim couldn't immediately be reached for comment.
The Palestinians were encouraged by Mr. Obama's election and expected his much-publicized outreach to the Muslim world would soften the strongly pro-Israel positions of his predecessors such as George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
The Fatah document also restated the group's stance that Israel must freeze settlement construction and agree to a clear agenda for talks before negotiations can resume.
The U.S. says it hasn't abandoned these objectives but officials have indicated Washington does not see them as conditions for resuming talks.
CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds argued in an analysis for World Watch that Mr. Obama's push for talks without an Israeli agreement to stop settlement expansion shows a possible lack of understanding of its significance to the Israelis.
"Settlement construction is the key weapon in the Israeli arsenal," said Reynolds. He argues that Mr. Obama's decision could allow the Jewish state to use tried and trusted stall tactics to postpone any viable two-state solution.
Mr. Obama's personal intervention last month, when he summoned Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a three-way meeting in New York, failed to break the impasse.
The document echoes sentiments expressed by other Fatah officials. On Sunday, former Fatah strongman Mohammed Dahlan said the party "feels very disappointed and worried by the U.S. administration retreat."
The latest round of negotiations broke down late last year with no breakthroughs on the main issues dividing the two sides: final borders, the status of disputed Jerusalem and a solution for Palestinians who lost homes and other property in Israel after it achieved statehood in 1948.
But the dispute over settlement construction in the West Bank and east Jerusalem has blocked all efforts to get the sides to talk, let alone solve the intractable conflict.
Netanyahu says some settlement construction must continue to accommodate growth of existing settler populations. He also says all of Jerusalem will remain in Israeli hands, although Israel's annexation of the eastern part of the city and its sensitive holy sites has never been internationally recognized.
The memo comes at a time of great unrest in Fatah over Abbas' short-lived decision to suspend efforts to bring Israel before a U.N. war crimes tribunal in connection with the winter war in the Gaza Strip.
Internally, the Palestinians are as divided as ever, with reconciliation talks between Fatah, which controls the West Bank, and the Islamic militant Hamas group that rules Gaza, on ice.
© MMIX, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Add a Comment See all 89 Comments
- by slownewsday_5 October 13, 2009 4:35 PM EDT
He's a religious nutjob, hungry, praying for the end of the world...
It's terrifying that there are actually people out there, that HOPE and PRAY for the end of the world. - Reply to this comment
- by HughAreWrong October 13, 2009 3:31 PM EDT
Because Lebanon and Jordan were created differently? Because the Arab states of the Near East weren't Nazi sympathizers? Because the regimes that feed parasitically off petrodollars are somehow moral? Please tell us what reality looks like in the Near East, because no one there has ever seen it.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've NEVER seen Jordan or Lebanon forcibly evicting people from their homes and lands, with brutal military force, and rounding those residents up in ghettos, the way that Israel has done with the Palestinians.
Nor did I see Jordan or Lebanon cutting off the food, water, and medical supplies from the people that they've forcibly imprisoned.
You can try and demonize the muslims if you want, I really don't care. But Israel makes the islamic radicals look like a girl scout troop, and the islamics have certainly killed far less jews, than the jews have killed muslims / arabs - BY FAR. - Reply to this comment
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- You can look-up the number of Jews who fled Muslim lands if you want to answer your own question. The documentary "The Last Jew in Afghanistan" is an example. Jews have been killed in Muslim lands since Mohammed. But perhaps you don't want to know about that.
- "by slownewsday_5
He's a religious nutjob, hungry, praying for the end of the world..."
"by HughAreWrong
That's psychopathic, even when considering the source."
OK, then, have it your way - you're psychopathic. But I still stand by my statement that you're a religious nutjob, too.
- There are men, who for the sake of the small children in their neighborhood, must render themselves "harmless". Perhaps with respect to this board your opinions ought to do the same.
- I have no idea what analogy you are trying to make, Hugh. Regardless, Israel doesn't deserve our support, and you have only your Bible to say differently.
I choose not to live blindly.
- by HughAreWrong October 13, 2009 3:00 PM EDT
Utah has its own kooks to contend with. But as a republic that has the support of its own population, Israel is a line in the sand that the US withdrawing from the region leaves as a reminder of American weakness and vulnerability. Jihad admits to no such limitations.
Israel is America's welfare state. They've had their hand out since the UN fabricated their phony existence in 1947. - Reply to this comment
- Cut to the chase: for Israel to be pressured to the peace table 1) Syria and Lebanon have to be government controlled, Iran has to be aligned with IAEA requirements, and both Hamas and Fatah operate a cease fire.
Why not just let the UN and Security Council mandate the State of Palestine along the borders of Israel by a certain date and enforce the borders that are recognized for Israel. That is the solution that Israel would have to recognize since no peace deals are forthcoming.
I bet UN troops with NATO and Russia backing would kick some butt in Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria for any attacks by Hezbollah or by the Israelis attempting to defend settlements on Palestinian land. Bet those Jewish settlers do not want to live in the State of Palestine and had best move back to Israel. Likewise, any armed groups NOT under Flag or controlled by the government of Lebanon or Syria...would get the Predator treatment, too.
The NO ATTACKS on Israel goes also for NO ATTACKS on Palestine... - Reply to this comment
- by slownewsday_5 October 13, 2009 10:58 AM EDT
Israel has no interest in peace.
By supporting them, we look complicit.
Cut off all of their funds and support, and let them fend for themselves.
Agreed, 100%. - Reply to this comment
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- No actual argument, so just insults, eh, Hugh?
Any reason you support Israel other than your status as a non-thinking thumper?
- I know very well what you mean. It's rather shameful, these views of yours. Tee-hee-heeing while advocating fascism. Check your trenchcoat at the high school door.
- I think it is typical agit-prop to bait someone with their dogma while adhering to dogma oneself. In this case, the dogma that Jihadists will cease being Jihadists if only the US would do THIS or stop doing THAT. In truth the Jihadists are medieval in their thinking and they can't stop. The rest of us must determine a course of appeasement or war.
- No actual argument, so just insults, eh, Hugh?
- by HughAreWrong October 13, 2009 10:59 AM EDT
The Palestinian Grand Mufti of Jerusalem participated in the Hebron Massacres prior to WW2 and during WW2 was a Nazi ally who helped organize the genocide of Jews in the Balkans. The Palestinians are paying reparations.
The Grand Mufti was an anti-zionist that attacked jews and zionists in Palestine. He was wanted by the British for his crimes, and he sought refuge in Nazi Germany knowing that Hitler hated the jews and would be sympathetic to him and his cause.
Absolving the Israeli's for their atrocities because of this ONE MAN, would be like condemning ALL of America and it's citizens, for the actions and comments of David Duke.
"Reparations"? What a foolish comment. - Reply to this comment
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- The Palestinian cause is by scum, for scum, excused whenever scum gets together. Rationalized because that's all that scum knows how to do. Hopeless, friendless, psychologically damaged and philosophically immature scum, it must be said, who flatter themselves that their petit bourgeoise revolutionary posturing amounts to anything.
- The gerrymandered State has made itself a bullseye for a nuclear bomb-the insane bitterness on both sides seem to make this inevitable.No matter the US helplessly panicking over the Islamic bomb-it will happen-there will be no peace agreement-the propaganda system can lie until the cows come home-it will not change a thing.
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- Oh yes. The Israelis are surrounded by billions of Muslims whose countries are virtually devoid of Jews. To believe that Israel has designs to conquer and occupy the Muslim world is delusional. Good try though.
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- Israel = scum of the Earth
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- "by HughAreWrong
Next time try the banjo. It's a good instrument for the porch of a hillbilly cabin."
Not everyone had your upbringing.
- What are you talking about, Hugh?
You were talking about how good a banjo is for hillbilly cabins.... I was simply saying you must have more experience with that than the rest of us, to have brought it up.
- "by HughAreWrong
- Fatah is right to question and doubt Obama. Thus far, Obama has shown more solidarity with Fatah's main rival Hamas, the more radical faction of the Palestinians. Plus the world is quickly learning Obama is 90% smoke and only 10% horsepower - he's all show and no go, it's just talk and he can't make a decision to save his life - unless someone tells him what to do and say. He's the most worthless president of the modern era and at least Jimmy Carter can smile, knowing he is no longer the worst - and yes, he is worse than Bush. He's weak and everyone from the North Koreans, Venezuelans, Russians and Chinese are taking advantage of it. Is there any other reason the Russians don't take Hillary seriously. Is there any other reason Obama 'chose' not to meet the Dali Lama to please China. He's the first prez to dis' the Dali Lama. Central and Eastern Europe doesn't trust him because he is too busy sucking up to Russia. Western Europe thinks he's a lightweight and our closest ally the UK has been dissed by him too often. And people think Bush harmed the country's image!? To boot, his worldwide apology tour has gotten the U.S. 'zilch', nada, nothing regarding, not even a speech in Egypt. Obama has so badly blown it since the first year is the honeymoon phase, from here it only goes downhill. Compared to Obama, Jimmy Carter was quite a statesman.
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- What will it take for Israel to seek a real peace agreement with Palestine?
New tools like those of Ostrom's work on economic governance and Williamson's conflict resolution, both 2009 Nobel Economics prize winners. - Reply to this comment
- by mitdgreenb October 13, 2009 8:50 AM EDT
There is no intention in Israel to colonize the Middle East. While it is valid to discuss control of the West Bank, and settlements (which I oppose by the way), it is not valid to assume Israel wants to take over other vast areas. In fact, it's illogical: why would Israel want control of millions of hostile people?
They started with hundreds of thousands of hostile people, and that didn't stop them.
They started with 12.5% of the land in 1947, 50% in 1948, 70% in 1967, and currently squat on 83%. What makes you believe that they're going to stop, after they've reached 100%, and the Palestinians are all living in ghettos and concentration camps like Gaza? - Reply to this comment
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- The UN had a solution and the Arabs didn't like it and jointly attacked Israel. Outnumbered, Israel beat them and to them the spoils went. Get over it. Plus the Arabs have never shown any interest in peace. Israel is doing the same as any other nation would do in their shoes. I am not Jewish nor an apologist for Israel but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out. All the group-hug folks seem to forget Israel was attacked first. Platitudes mean nothing in the real world. We can sit in our safe part of the world and tell them what to do? Reverse roles and see what you would do.
- The jews were left homeless because of the actions of Nazi Germany. It wasn't anything that the Palestinians did, they weren't even involved in WWII.
Yet the UN - two years old at the time - saw fit to give away the Palestinians homes and lands. No matter how you look at it, NO ONE - including the UN - has the right to give away something that belongs to someone else.
And to make it even worse, Israel has been stealing land ever since. And it's not just the "spoils of war" - they're stealing land EVERYDAY. Where exactly do you think the settlements are "expanding"? They're expanding on Palestinians homes and lands, after the residents have been evicted by the IDF.
As for who attacked who first, you might want to find out how Israel came into possession of the land in 1948. They didn't acquire it by buying it. Google "nakba".
As for "reverse roles", what would you do if the Mexican army showed up at your door, and told you that you had 48 hours to evacuate the premises, to make room for Mexican squatters? You're just going to shrug your shoulders and walk away peacefully? Not me. I'd make Hamas look like a girl scout troop!!!
- Israel DOES NOT want peace. They want to keep expanding and getting bigger, stealing more land, and getting more welfare money from the US.
We need to cut ALL TIES with both sides, to ensure our safety and security, while these animals finish each other off, once and for all. - Reply to this comment
- Tricia -- You are have an interesting point of view that's clearly based more on opinion than fact.
Fact: The Zionist Lobby is overwhelmingly Left and, hence, backs the Democratic candidate for President in almost all cases. Ms. Clinton was seen as more favorable to Israel than Mr. Obama, so she garnered more support.
Fact: There is no intention in Israel to colonize the Middle East. While it is valid to discuss control of the West Bank, and settlements (which I oppose by the way), it is not valid to assume Israel wants to take over other vast areas. In fact, it's illogical: why would Israel want control of millions of hostile people?
Know your history: the West Bank was supposed to be Palestinian but it was seized by Jordan (which is an Arab State, last I looked). The West Bank was annexed by Israel after an Arab-started war... a bit like the US annexed California after the Mexican-American War. Should we give California back?
Fact: It is the Arab intention to colonize the whole of the Middle East. We saw this from Nasser in 1967 -- gee, the Egyptians started that war. We saw in Lebanon... the Christian country... what high Arab birh rates and sponsorship from Iran and Syria can do to a democratic non-Muslim country.
Fact: Iran is not Arab; they are Persian. They don't speak Arabic (a semitic language); they speak Farsi (an Indo-European language). And Iran has publically said they would kill for control of Israel.
THe "equilibrium" you state sounds good superficially, but is not the answer. It's a new Cold War, with a signficant arms race. One small miscalculation and the Cuban Missile Crisis might have turned out a lot worse. Do you really think that the Iranian leadership would keep a cool head in such a situation? And the resolution of the Cold War was that our economy outgrew the USSR: Israel can certainly win this race too if it were not for all of the dollars of oil YOU buy from the Mideast. And, if there is a peaceful resolution, we end up with what we and Russia have now: thousands of nuclear warheads, any of which can be stolen and used by terrorists.
And, gee, if you had not discredited yourself already, you give the example of the Mujaheddin! Yes, we supported them and yes they beat the Russians. And yes, they are the source of the Taliban and the protectors of Al Queda. And yes, OUR troops are now being killed fighting the weapons that we ourselves provided to them.
Take some time and learn history. And be sure to learn the history of our own nation too. And then THINK. Would anything you recommend also apply to California? How about to Massachusetts, which was seized using biological warfare? How about to Texas, which was seized byy illegal immigrants? - Reply to this comment
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- Israel has no interest in peace.
By supporting them, we look complicit.
Cut off all of their funds and support, and let them fend for themselves.
- An interest in peace just like Hamas, just like Hezboallah, just like the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades? Like the terrorists who threw wheelchair-bound Leon Klinghoffer overboard? Like which bargaining partners?
- Oh, right, Hugh, so they shouldn't have any interest themselves. They are one of our rogue welfare states which has one hand out for our money while the other hand thumbs its nose at us.
We don't need them, and they don't listen to us. Cut them off.
- But meanwhile which Kings, Presidents-for-Life, Warlords, Generals, Tribal Leaders, Mystics, etc. are on the US payroll? Their income was already assured from the nationalized oil wealth of US and European companies and this maintains a parasite class throughout the Arab world. The Israelis were/are the remnant of a butchered civilian population whose Nazi persecutors spawned these client regimes and political movements throughout the Near East. There isn't any moral equivalence here.
- The various dictatorships of the Near East are comfortably on the US foreign aid payroll. They are the only Nazi allies still standing after WW2. Strange that anyone sees moral equivalence with these neo-fascist regimes.
- Hugh - you seem to miss that I don't think any of them deserve support.
Let Israel fend for itself. There's no reason it should have been placed where it was. Give 'em Utah.
- Israel has no interest in peace.
- The evaporation is not confined to the Middle East.
- Reply to this comment
- CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds argued in an analysis for World Watch that Mr. Obama's push for talks without an Israeli agreement to stop settlement expansion shows a possible lack of understanding of its significance to the Israelis.
"Settlement construction is the key weapon in the Israeli arsenal," said Reynolds. He argues that Mr. Obama's decision could allow the Jewish state to use tried and trusted stall tactics to postpone any viable two-state solution.
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No other US President has been able to overcome this impasse either.
While the US supports the state of Israel's right to exist, Israel takes our money and thumbs its nose at us by continuing to develop these settlements in spite of its promises to the contrary. The Palestinians are certainly (!) guilty of their own abuses, but as long as Israel continues to back the settlements, they are also complicit in feeding the fire in a manner that will not allow progress in this matter.
I am no fan of the Palestinians' tactics (although I do feel that they need their own state). However, the Israelis need to stop the BS of promising the US that they will discontinue the settlements and then turning around to do everything within their power to continue to develop them.
We have given the Israelis enough support over the years to use this as a bargaining chip. If you want our continued support, live up to your promises and STOP the SETTLEMENTS! Otherwise, go without our support--but let it be known that it was by YOUR choice! - Reply to this comment
The road ahead in Afghanistan, and the crucial decision Obama faces.
