CMEP Bulletin: The Obama Administration, the Peace Process, and 2012
Weekly update on diplomatic news from Churches for Middle East Peace
Sec. Clinton Stops by Israel
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton went on a whirlwind trip to Israel on Monday to talk with Israeli and Palestinian leaders about reviving the peace process. Secretary Clinton participated in “a 14-hour marathon of meetings” around Jerusalem with Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, President Shimon Peres, Palestinian Authority Prime Mister Salam Fayyad, Quartet Representative Tony Blair, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Secretary Clinton told reporters that although United States will help “support and environment for talks….it’s up to the parties to do the hard work for peace.” She continued saying, “peace won’t wait and the responsibility falls on all of us to keep pressing forward.”
TAKE ACTION! Encourage Secretary Clinton to keep pushing for peace!
Some analysts saw the trip as a way for President Barack Obama to score points that he will need to win a second term. Presumptive Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is expected to visit Israel soon to court the Jewish vote and solidify evangelical support. Eytan Gilboa said to The New York Times about Secretary Clinton’s visit, “Why now? The answer is elections. Hillary Clinton is very popular in Israel. There were talks about Obama coming here — I think he did very well to avoid a visit by himself. It was a great idea to send her to do some politicking for him.”
Click here to continue reading this CMEP Bulletin, including the following items:
- Looking back at Obama’s peace process efforts
- Israel plays role in 2012 elections
- Bonus reading