Israel Matzav: Obama administration threatens to boycott Netanyahu

Obama administration threatens to boycott Netanyahu

Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are trying to ratchet up the pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Obama, who will be in Indonesia when Netanyahu reaches Washington on Sunday, has threatened that members of his administration will not meet with Netanyahu while he is in Washington unless the crisis is 'resolved' (i.e. Netanyahu caves in to Clinton's and Obama's demands). Netanyahu has meetings scheduled with Vice President Biden and Secretary of State Clinton while he is in Washington.

The US, during Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s conversation with Netanyahu on Friday, reportedly demanded that Israel stop the Ramat Shlomo projects in northern Jerusalem, make confidence-building gestures to the Palestinians, and agree that the proximity talks with the Palestinian Authority will deal with core issues of borders, refugees and Jerusalem, and not just technical issues.

Channel 2 reported on Wednesday night that the administration told Netanyahu that until a response to these requests had been received, he would not be able to meet any high level US officials on his upcoming trip to Washington to address the American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conference.

Prior to the explosion of the Ramat Shlomo issue last week, Netanyahu was expected to meet with both Clinton and Biden during his visit. Now neither meeting is confirmed.

A 'compromise' proposed by Israeli President Shimon Peres has apparently already been rejected by Netanyahu's inner cabinet.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been presented with a new proposal according to which construction in Jewish neighborhoods in east Jerusalem that are located behind the Green Line will be reduced, while Jewish construction in Arab neighborhoods will be frozen altogether, Ynet reported Thursday.

A similar proposal was brought before the "forum of seven ministers," but was apparently rejected by right-wing members of cabinet. President Shimon Peres, who met with EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton on Thursday, supports the proposal.

Jewish construction in east Jerusalem has gained momentum since Mayor Nir Barkat took office.

I think Netanyahu has to make another Bar Ilan speech and rally the country behind him. A united Jerusalem under Israeli control is an issue on which nearly all Jewish Israelis agree. Netanyahu has to lead and not be pushed around.

Israel Matzav: Obama administration threatens to boycott Netanyahu