In my recent post, praising the Israel Policy Forum full page ad in the N.Y. Times encouraging President Obama to be direct and forthright during his meeting with Bibi Netanyahu, I neglected an initiative by Brit Tzedek. It is a major petition campaign seeking 15,000 individuals to sign a statement demanding progress in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, and encouraging the president to stand firm on this matter.
If you followed the results of today’s White House meeting, it’s clear that this will be a protracted struggle to bring the Israeli government to heel (along with the Palestinians). Bibi will, like his political mentor, Yitzchak Shamir, drag this out ten years if given half a chance. We must deny him that chance and support Pres. Obama in his efforts to energize the peace process, even if it means holding Bibi Netanyahu’s feet to the fire.
Let’s just recognize the state of Palestine now, never mind if Bibi & Co. chew carpets.
Letting President Obama know that we as Americans (and Jewish Americans) want him to push for a two state solution is essential! President Obama can do it, but he needs our support!
Exactly. Bibi can be persuaded far more easily than most think.