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Obama Meets with Jewish Leaders

[Los Angeles Times] Peter Wallsten - A private meeting Monday held to ease tensions between the White House and American Jewish leaders included a pointed exchange as President Obama said public disagreements between the U.S. government and Israel are useful in the pursuit of Middle East peace. The president's remarks, surprising to some in the room, came as he was questioned about a perceived distance between his administration and Israel - specifically in his insistence that Israel halt all settlement construction in the West Bank. Obama said his approach would build more credibility with Arabs. Some American Jewish leaders have complained that Obama has demanded more concessions from the Israelis on settlements than he has sought from the Palestinians. Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, said he disagreed with Obama's remarks at the meeting, and that showing distance between the two countries gave Palestinians the ability to "play the United States against Israel" in order to gain leverage.
2009-07-14 06:00:00
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