Statement on Palestine by The White House Chief of Staff, Denis McDonough

Washington

The White House Chief of Staff, Denis McDonough on Monday said that the crisis in U.S.-Israeli relations over the issue of a Palestinian state has not dissipated, despite Netanyahu's statements during election campaigning in which he said he will not allow the establishment of a Palestinian state.

McDonough responded by saying that they "cannot simply pretend that those comments were never made," he said to the J Street conference in Washington. He also warned the Israeli next government not to consider unilateral annexation of any West Bank territory, saying it would "be both wrong and illegal," and that America would strenuously object.

"Israel cannot maintain military control of another people indefinitely. An occupation that has lasted for almost 50 years must end."

McDonough showed doubts whether Netanyahu really supported the two-state solution.

"After the election, the prime minister said that he had not changed his position, but for many in Israel and in the international community, such contradictory comments call into question his commitment to a two-state solution, as did his suggestion that the construction of settlements has a strategic purpose of dividing Palestinian communities and his claim that conditions in the larger Middle East must be more stable before a Palestinian state can be established," he said. "We cannot simply pretend that those comments were never made, or that they don't raise questions about the prime minister's commitment to achieving peace through direct negotiations."

McDonough called on the two state solution, and demanded to "never stop working" for it. He also warned against any unilateral annexation of lands in the West Bank, saying it "would be both wrong and illegal," that America would never support it, "and it's unlikely Israel's other friends would either. It would only contribute to Israel's isolation."

http://www.news786.in/article.php?id=MTQ3NDE=

Netanyahu shot himself in both feet, and he's not going to recover from it.

Well if it helps bring about a two state solution all the better and maybe what is needed.
They will still back Israel from any naked aggression, that will never change, as much as you hope Israel will be over run, that will never happen as most people know it would be a second holocaust. Obama has already eluded to this where he has stated that he will still support the people of Israel. Bridges can be built as they had to be after the mess of Bush

I think it will long term, it has been 50 years it is time to be a bit tougher on Israel in regards to it meeting western exceptions of civility (since it does need the support of the west to exist)

I find this is one of the issue with Israel politically it is both a western nation and a middle eastern nation. Fiscally/economically it is fully westernised but then socio-politically it it is mixed and militarily/foreign policy wise it is fully middle eastern.

The West needs Israel to either step up and become a fully western nation (which does mean reducing ending the 'Jewish state' idea and embracing secularism... OR... we need to abandon it to it's fate. all we are doing is draining ourselves the cost is such that we need some more guarantees that they are actually 'with' us. A start would be ending JSA and Hillel which don't belong in western secular nations because they are contradictory to our ideals of separating church and state

I'm not sure the 2 state solution will work because of the limited land size and the 'access' issues. this is part of the reason Israel has the illegal settlements in the first place.

I think that if Israel put more effort into reconciliation (it being the stronger) and advancing the welfare of Palestinians living in Israel, It could after another generation (or 2) bring about the circumstance of Palestinians voting to join them. but they would have to use the carrot not the stick.

veya_victaous wrote:I think it will long term, it has been 50 years it is time to be a bit tougher on Israel in regards to it meeting western exceptions of civility (since it does need the support of the west to exist)

I find this is one of the issue with Israel politically it is both a western nation and a middle eastern nation. Fiscally/economically it is fully westernised but then socio-politically it it is mixed and militarily/foreign policy wise it is fully middle eastern.

The West needs Israel to either step up and become a fully western nation (which does mean reducing ending the 'Jewish state' idea and embracing secularism... OR... we need to abandon it to it's fate. all we are doing is draining ourselves the cost is such that we need some more guarantees that they are actually 'with' us. A start would be ending JSA and Hillel which don't belong in western secular nations because they are contradictory to our ideals of separating church and state

It is a secular nation as its laws are secular Veya, which is side tracking the issue and mainly at Israel's feet for a solution. Like I have said the doors have been open for Fatah and hamas to take a two state solution which at every step they have refused to do so.
If you start banning groups you need to do the same on all who have any religious affilliations.
Israel is the most democratic and secularist country within the religion, but it does have some laws based around security, which to change need also reassurances that Palestine and nations like Lebannon, Iran ect, must accept the existance of Israel as a nation. It is not a one way street this where all parties have to concede ground, otherwise there will never be peace.

veya_victaous wrote:I'm not sure the 2 state solution will work because of the limited land size and the 'access' issues. this is part of the reason Israel has the illegal settlements in the first place.

I think that if Israel put more effort into reconciliation (it being the stronger) and advancing the welfare of Palestinians living in Israel, It could after another generation (or 2) bring about the circumstance of Palestinians voting to join them. but they would have to use the carrot not the stick.

The problem there is the PLO never even claimed or made the view on the West bank or Gaza when they were occupied by Jordan and Egypt, this only changed when Israel gained them through conflict. Showing it is little about who controls the areas as longs as they are Muslim controlled and not by Israel. This is why people miss the boat here as there is much more about Israel being in control of lands they actually rightfully own through legal means back in the 19th century by buying up land.
The only way forward is a two state solution because of the nationalism views of the Palestinians.
The Arabs in israel are treated in the main very well, what you have to questions is why those not in Israel still persist under such bad regimes.

someone has to take the first step
AND with Western backing Israel doesn't have to fear being overrun by any of those nations.

the issues in Palestine (regarding allowing such terrible leaders) are also seen in other places (Syria Iraq etc) I think there needs to be a power that shows them otherwise Men like Saddam or Assad Did show them the value of some secular ideals but this is always balanced against their dictatorships, Israel could be the demonstration of secular democracy.

veya_victaous wrote:someone has to take the first step
AND with Western backing Israel doesn't have to fear being overrun by any of those nations.

the issues in Palestine (regarding allowing such terrible leaders) are also seen in other places (Syria Iraq etc) I think there needs to be a power that shows them otherwise Men like Saddam or Assad Did show them the value of some secular ideals but this is always balanced against their dictatorships, Israel could be the demonstration of secular democracy.  

Both have to take the step, which is more the point.
I think what you need is a people revolution where both people in each land say enough is enough and want peace.