Clinton: Israel "Needs to do Much More"

Top U.S. Diplomat Clarifies after Arab Backlash over Comments Viewed as Backing Down on Settlement Expansion

(CBS/AP)  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton again praised Israel's offer to restrict its building of settlements in Palestinian areas, but said Monday that it falls well short of the U.S. desire for a full halt to building.

Clinton spoke to reporters as she sat down for a meeting with her Moroccan counterpart in the North African country's capital.

She was asked about negative Arab reaction to comments she made Saturday in Jerusalem that were widely interpreted as a softening of the U.S. position on Israeli settlement activity.

CBS News State Department correspondent Charles Wolfson reports that Clinton said Israel had put some limitations on itself which, if acted upon, would be "unprecedented."

"Israel has done a few things, but needs to do much more," she told reporters

Clinton said her approach is to offer what she called "positive reinforcement" whenever either the Israelis or the Palestinians make a move that the U.S. sees as a step forward in the peace process.

CBS News correspondent Robert Berger in Jerusalem reports that after Clinton's failed attempt to restart talks between the Israelis and Palestinians over the weekend, the Obama administration has decided to extend the visit of its top envoy to the region.

President Obama's special Middle East envoy George Mitchell will remain in the region to try and bring the parties back to the negotiating table.

During a photo-taking session with her Moroccan counterpart, Clinton was asked by a reporter about the Arab reaction, and she responded by reading from a written statement that appeared designed to counter the skepticism about the Obama administration's views on settlements.

"Successive American administrations of both parties have opposed Israel's settlement policy," she said. "That is absolutely a fact, and the Obama administration's position on settlements is clear, unequivocal and it has not changed. As the president has said on many occasions, the United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements."

She also called on the Israelis to do more to improve "movement and access" for Palestinians and on Israeli security arrangements.

She added, however, that Israel deserved praise for moving in the right direction.

"This offer falls short of what we would characterize as our position or what our preference would be," she added. "But if it is acted upon it will be an unprecedented restriction on settlements and would have a significant and meaningful effect on restraining their growth."

Clinton was flying later Monday to the southern-central city of Ouarzazate for an audience with King Mohammed VI. Later she was returning to Marrakech for talks with foreign ministers of several Persian Gulf nations.

Clinton also was expected to meet separately with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, who has rejected U.S. appeals for improved Arab relations with Israel as a way to help restart Middle East peace talks, saying the Jewish state is not interested in a deal.

After taking office in January, President Barack Obama buoyed Palestinian hopes for progress toward establishing a Palestinian state with his outreach to the Muslim world and an initially tough stance urging a full freeze to all settlement construction.

But after making little headway with the Israelis in recent months, Clinton urged Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in a face-to-face meeting in Abu Dhabi on Saturday to renew talks, which broke down late last year, without conditions. Abbas said no, insisting that Israel first halt all settlement activity in the West Bank and east Jerusalem - lands the Palestinians claim for a future state.

Then, at a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late Saturday in Jerusalem, Clinton praised Netanyahu's offer to curb some settlement construction, saying it was an unprecedented gesture.

"I believe that the U.S. condones continued settlement expansion," Palestinian government spokesman Ghassan Khatib said Sunday in a rare public chiding of Washington.

"Calling for a resumption of negotiations despite continued settlement construction doesn't help because we have tried this way many times," Khatib added. "Negotiations are about ending the occupation and settlement expansion is about entrenching the occupation."

Palestinians expressed deep disappointment and frustration at Clinton's words, which signaled a softening of the past U.S. call for a complete freeze on settlement activity.

Jordan and Egypt also issued statements Sunday critical of the latest U.S. approach to the settlements issue. Clinton spoke by telephone with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

Clinton was in Marrakech to attend a regional conference called Forum for the Future, with representatives of nations of the Middle East and North Africa, as well as advanced industrialized countries. It is the final stop on a weeklong journey that began Wednesday in Pakistan.

[U_S_Drug_Addict]

Double DOH!!

[U_S_Drug_Addict]

DOH!

[thesevenveils]

Israel needs to be treated like any other country that ignores UN rulings. It is time to threaten and if necessary take economic sanctions against this nation.

[U_S_Drug_Addict]

if you do that, we wont be able to stand all the wailing and the photos of WW2, along with the boo hoo hooo.....

[Sloughfoot]

Everytime ol' Hillary opens her mouth you can better understand why Poor Bill turned to Monica. I wonder how many times Hillary said to Bill, "that it falls well short".

[U_S_Drug_Addict]

google NAKBA

[lovenpeace1]

Folks,
On May 15, 1948, the American President advocated the creation of the State of Israel in the heart of the Muslim Middle-East. 2 years later, 4.5 millions Palestinians were forced out of their homes and lands without compensation.

I am not going to say that this is the 1st act of Terrorism but I will say America is bleeding Treasury and blood because of one religious decision 60 years ago. This bleeding keeps exploding with our continue UnConditional Support to Israel. Its unbelievable that Americans care much more about Israel than of America.

2 weeks after 9/11, Osama Bin Ladin released his 1st video. In the video, he clearly listed the top 3 reasons for bombing the twin towers. The 1st reason was the US military base 60 miles from their Muslim''s holy Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The 2nd reason was the Palestine crisis. Now, Ex-President George W. Bush and President Obama wants a State of Palestine. Big victory for Osama.

On Osama Bin Ladin 2nd released video, Osama states that they will destroy America Economically and not Militarily. So far, Big victory for Osama.

According to our US State Department, Anti-Semitics is exploding around the world:
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1334791720080314?feedType=RSSfeedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true

Soon, the world will be indifferent to the Jews just like Nazy Germany was before WWII. Just keep it up Zionists.

[lovenpeace1]

Here is a partial list of UN resolutions that Israel has not complied. Israel has ignored every single resolution. Israel''s defiance goes back to its very beginnings. This collection of resolutions criticizing Israel is unmatched by the record of any other nation.

* 1955-1992:
* * Resolution 106: " . . . ''condemns'' Israel for Gaza raid".
* * Resolution 111: " . . . ''condemns'' Israel for raid on Syria that killed fifty-six people".
* * Resolution 127: " . . . ''recommends'' Israel suspends it''s ''no-man''s zone'' in Jerusalem".
* * Resolution 162: " . . . ''urges'' Israel to comply with UN decisions".
* * Resolution 171: " . . . determines flagrant violations'' by Israel in its attack on Syria".
* * Resolution 228: " . . . ''censures'' Israel for its attack on Samu in the West Bank, then under Jordanian control".
* * Resolution 237: " . . . ''urges'' Israel to allow return of new 1967 Palestinian refugees".
* * Resolution 248: " . . . ''condemns'' Israel for its massive attack on Karameh in Jordan".
* * Resolution 250: " . . . ''calls'' on Israel to refrain from holding military parade in Jerusalem".
Jerusalem as Jewish capital".

[lovenpeace1]

UnAmericans are those that 1st protect and defend the State of Israel and then maybe USA if not Greed.

America is winning the war in Iraq and Afghanistan with Low-Tech and No-Tech. All the Hi-Tech military and Nuclear Warheads in Israel's arsenal is useless. Israel lost to Hezbollah 3 years ago.

Having 23 friends and 1 enemy is much better than having 1 friend and 23 enemies.

[anti-anti-semite]

Can't believe the lack of intelligence on this post.
Truth: take weapons away from arabs and you have peace. Take weapons away from Israel, there will be no more Israel.
Arabs can blow up airplanes and buildings, but they couldn't build a bicycle. Israel responds to terror attacks, and the world attacks Israel for being aggressive.
What would YOU do if someone was lobbing rockets at your house - kiss them???

[jade84116]

If it's not one thing, then, the Muslims will make it another until they've driven Israel into the sea. Refusing to acknowledge that is moronic and nonsensical. Appeasing Hitler got Europe World War II after all. In the end, negotiating with an enemy that wants you driven into the sea is inherently dangerous and stupid.

[presjfk]

Why must the USA be involved? Stop funding Israel, the Palestinians, Egypt, Jordan and all the others and pull the f*&^ out now.