Netanyahu: Dove or Hawk?

AL chief slams Netanyahu's peace proposal Xinhua — Arab League (AL) Secretary General Amr Moussa on Thursday slammed the latest peace proposal made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the Jewish state's settlement activity defies the principle of an independent Palestinian state. Moussa made the remarks at a press conference after an emergency meeting of the AL foreign ministers, which focused on the issue of Jerusalem. click to read complete article

Netanyahu can be a peacemaker, says Quartet emissary Blair Jerusalem Post — Quartet emissary Tony Blair on Thursday offered a strong endorsement of Binyamin Netanyahu's capacity to achieve peace, backing the prime minister's focus on fostering West Bank economic growth and bolstering the Palestinians' security capacity. Netanyahu "most certainly can play the role of peacemaker," Blair told The Jerusalem Post in an interview, adding that there was now "a moment of opportunity" that required both negotiation from the "top down" and improving the economy and security realities from the "bottom up." click to read complete article

Leaning on Israel won’t bring Middle East peace The Oklahoman — IT’S understandable a new U.S. president coming into office, frustrated by the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian stalemate, might figure the key to breaking the impasse is getting tougher with Israel. That’s where President Barack Obama and his administration seem to be heading. Vice President Joe Biden talked tough this week at a Washington meeting of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the big pro-Israel lobbying group. "Israel has to work toward a two-state solution,” Biden said, suggesting Israel hasn’t been doing so. click to read complete article