(Community Matters) Thomas Friedman’s column in today’s NYT one of the most insightful I’ve enjoyed in a long time.
I regularly engage in an “email conversation” with two well-informed friends on the issue of Obama Administration Middle East Peace leadership, as well as less regularly with more partisan friends representing both sides. Friedman correctly notes that Pres Obama’s pressing for settlements freeze reflects broader US sentiments. I have long detected and voiced a concern that Israeli lobby successes were not forever sustainable nor was blind acquiesence in anyone’s interest.
Wish Friedman had mentioned that Pres Obama is simultaneously pressing Arab states (Saudi Arabia, Egypt & Syria) for concessions and Israeli security guarantees while insisting that the Palestinians curb violence and rhetoric which begats violence. Thankful for Friedman’s reminder that Israel often gets rockets in exchange for pullbacks (Lebanon in addition to Gaza).
I think Pres Obama’s leadership in Middle East peace negotiations merits the most optimism in a very long time. posted from my blackberry
Community Matters 