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Prepared for the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs | ||||
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Wednesday, November 11, 2009 | ||
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In-Depth Issues:
The Significance of Hasan's Attire - Tarek Fatah (Ottawa Citizen-Canada)
Israel, Jordan Conduct Joint Emergency Services Drill (UPI)
Hamas Detains Dozens on Arafat Anniversary (Reuters)
Gulf Al-Qaeda Chief: Shi'ites, Like Iran, More Dangerous than Jews (Ha'aretz)
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News Resources - North America, Europe, and Asia:
The U.S. accused Iran Tuesday of violating a UN arms embargo by secretly sending weapons to Syria in a cargo ship seized by Israel. The U.S. told the Security Council that the concealed arms shipment, "clearly manifested from Iran to Syria" in violation of a March 2007 arms embargo, provides "unambiguous evidence of the destabilizing proliferation of arms in the region." The U.S. also called on Syria and Iran to end their "material support" for Hizbullah, which violates the 2006 cease-fire resolution. (AP) See also Documented Proof of Iranian Complicity in Arms Smuggling to Terrorists An examination of the munitions seized proves conclusively that the source of the arms was Iran. This is clear both from the shipping documents and the markings on the munitions themselves. (Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs) U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns told the Middle East Institute in Washington on Tuesday: "We seek a relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran based upon mutual interest and mutual respect. We do not seek regime change. We have condemned terrorist attacks against Iran. We have recognized Iran's international right to peaceful nuclear power. With our partners in the international community, we have demonstrated our willingness to take creative confidence-building steps, including our support for the IAEA's offer of fuel for the Tehran research reactor." "With our partners in the international community, we are ready for a serious dialogue with Iran about how it can resolve longstanding doubts about the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear ambitions, doubts only reinforced by the recent revelation of a clandestine enrichment facility near Qom. With our partners in the international community, we are ready to move with Iran along a pathway of cooperation, not confrontation, of integration, not animosity. But that depends squarely on the choices that Iran makes, on its willingness to meet its international obligations and responsibilities." (State Department) Saudi Arabia on Tuesday imposed a naval blockade on the Red Sea coast of northern Yemen to combat Shiite rebels along its border. Yemen and Saudi Arabia have accused Iran of sending weapons and money to the rebels. The rebels in northern Yemen, known as Hawthis, have been fighting the government for five years, but in recent months the violence has escalated and crossed the border into Saudi Arabia. The kingdom has responded with several days of airstrikes against the rebels. (AP/Washington Post) See also Small War or Big Problem? Fighting on the Yemeni-Saudi Border - Simon Henderson (Washington Institute for Near East Policy) America's closest Arab allies, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, are increasingly viewed in the region as diminished actors whose influence is on the wane, political experts say. They have been challenged by Iran, opposed by much smaller Arab neighbors, mocked by Syria and defied by influential nonstate groups like Hamas and Hizbullah. "Egypt's role is receding regionally, and its cards are limited," said Emad Gad, an expert in international relations at the government-financed Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo. "Saudi's role in the last ten years has declined," said Abdulkarim H. al-Dekhayel, a political science professor at King Saud University in Riyadh. (New York Times) News Resources - Israel and the Mideast:
Although the details of Monday's talks between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Obama continued to be shrouded in secrecy, the prime minister Tuesday said the atmosphere "was very open and very warm." "The discussions dealt with the complex of issues vital for Israel's security and our joint efforts to advance the peace process. We discussed these issues in detail, in a practical way and out of friendship. I really appreciated the professional and positive approach I discovered." Referring to other meetings he held on his trip, Netanyahu said, "There was a great understanding among Jewish leaders and in the Senate that we want to advance peace and that we are taking practical measures to do so, while we have real security needs that the U.S. is prepared to help with." (Jerusalem Post) See also Netanyahu Offered Obama Additional Gestures to Get Abbas on Board in Peace Talks - Barak Ravid and Natasha Mozgovaya Prime Minister Netanyahu proposed additional Israeli gestures to the Palestinian Authority during his meeting with President Obama Monday in an effort to persuade Mahmoud Abbas to agree to resume talks with Israel. Netanyahu had stressed to Obama that his oft-stated desire to advance the peace process was sincere. (Ha'aretz) White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel pushed back Tuesday against those who had raised questions about the U.S. commitment to Israel and its focus on Israeli settlements, arguing that the issue shouldn't keep the parties from working toward peace. "It is only through dialogue that we can achieve the lasting peace that Israel seeks," Emmanuel told the Jewish Federations of North America's General Assembly. "No one should allow the issue of settlements to distract from the goal of a lasting peace between Israel, the Palestinians and the Arab world." He also called for peace negotiations without unilateral actions by either side and "without preconditions." (Jerusalem Post) Global Commentary and Think-Tank Analysis (Best of U.S., UK, and Israel):
As currently defined, a conflict-ending settlement is practically unachievable; even if signed it will not be implemented and even if implemented it will not be sustained. Against this background, the idea of a long-term interim arrangement acquires some logic. Instead of a resolution that promises finality, Israelis and Palestinians could strive for an agreement that seeks to minimize risks of violence. The mention of Jordan as a possible piece of the Israeli-Palestinian puzzle comes with burdensome baggage. Yet arguments favoring some kind of Jordanian-Palestinian entity comprising Jordan, the West Bank, and perhaps Gaza are worth considering. Inserting a new variable would give both parties additional flexibility in an increasingly arthritic process. Being closely linked to Jordan - a country of similar ethnicity and faith, where the majority are already Palestinian - and accepting a Jordanian security presence in the West Bank might seem a tolerable price to pay compared to the alternatives, whether continued Israeli occupation or the dispatch of an unfamiliar Western force. Palestinians would gain economic and strategic strength, reduce their vulnerability and dependence on Israel, obtain valuable political space, and become part of a more consequential and self-sufficient state. The notion of a nonmilitarized West Bank could become more palatable. Should President Obama follow the same trodden path, without first rethinking basics, there would be nothing bold or ambitious about his efforts. They would be futile and thoroughly mystifying. This time, there would be no excuse. Hussein Agha is Senior Associate Member of St. Antony's College, Oxford. Robert Malley, Director of the Middle East Program at the International Crisis Group, served as special assistant for Arab-Israeli affairs for President Bill Clinton. (New York Review of Books) See also Rethinking a Two-State Solution - Interview with Robert Malley (Council on Foreign Relations) Hizbullah has maneuvered behind the scenes to rig the composition of the new Lebanese Cabinet in its favor. First, it demanded veto power over all decisions, but eventually accepted a compromise formula that left the ruling coalition without a large enough majority to make big decisions on its own. Hizbullah also pushed for control of Lebanon's telecommunications system, which would give it added operational security from Israeli intelligence. The Lebanese government's caving in to Hizbullah and Syria will have its consequences: most importantly it's a message to those who put their trust in the U.S. and political reform that guns are still more powerful than votes. (TIME) See also New Lebanon Cabinet Steers Clear of Hizbullah Weapons (AFP) Observations: There Is No Clash Between Universal and National Values - Natan Sharansky (Jewish Agency for Israel)
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