Israel Matzav: Where Obama messed up

Where Obama messed up

This paragraph from a Washington Post analysis pretty much sums up where Obama went wrong:

The administration's key error, many analysts say, was to insist that Israel immediately freeze all settlement growth in Palestinian-occupied territories. The United States has never accepted the legitimacy of Israeli settlements, but the Obama administration took an unusually tough stance. It refused to acknowledge an unwritten agreement between Israel and Bush to limit growth in settlements, with Clinton leading the charge to demand a full settlement freeze.

Actually, it was only the Carter and Obama administrations that did not accept the 'legitimacy' of Israeli 'settlements.' Every other administration referred to them as an 'obstacle to peace.'

But there is no doubt that Obama's insistence on a total freeze emboldened Abu Mazen to dig in his heels and refuse to talk. At this point, Abu Mazen may have figured out that with Netanyahu in power in Israel, Obama cannot deliver Israel on a silver platter. But the consequences to Abu Mazen's 'honor' would be too great to allow him to backtrack and agree to go back to talking.

As usual, the 'Palestinians' don't miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. This time, with a little help from their friends.

Heh.

Israel Matzav: Where Obama messed up