CMEP Bulletin: Speeches, Shifting Alliances, CMEP Conference and More
Summit Diplomacy Ahead
President Barack Obama is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, DC on Friday, May 20 to discuss prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace. The Prime Minister will then deliver the keynote address at the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Conference on May 21 before addressing a joint meeting of Congress on Tuesday, May 24. Earlier in the week King Abdullah of Jordan, in effect representing Palestinian and Arab views, is scheduled to meet with the president on May 17.
Most observers are guarded about the possibility of political breakthroughs. In his speech to Congress, Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to emphasize that peacemaking is complicated by the agreement that includes Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the United States and others, in a Palestinian unity government.
Nevertheless, the president and the prime minister will have much to discuss. Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy is being driven by the impending vote in September by the UN General Assembly on recognizing a Palestinian state based on the 1967 border. A vote in the General Assembly would not reduce the need for a negotiated agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, but the move could have far-reaching political implications by providing a basis to consider sanctions against Israel.
Click here to continue reading this CMEP Bulletin, including the following items:
- The President speaks; add your voice
- Fatah and Hamas
- U.S. and Israeli reaction
- New Egyptian policies toward Israel/Palestine
- Egyptian response to violence against Christians
- Countdown to CMEP Conference