(Wall Street Journal) Editorial - President Obama delivered an impassioned speech to an audience of young Israelis in Jerusalem Thursday, pledging America's commitment to the Jewish state's security while insisting that, when it comes to the Palestinians, "peace is possible." This trip seems to reflect Obama's recognition that America's friends have to trust him before he can broker a peace with adversaries. Obama assured Israelis that they have a willing peace partner in Palestinian President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad. But you wouldn't know it from Abbas' remarks Thursday. The man who is supposed to represent the moderate side of local politics delivered a verbal salvo against Israel's alleged "violence, occupation, settlements, arrests, siege and denial of refugee rights," which isn't mood music for negotiations to resume. Abbas continues to advocate "reconciliation" with Hamas, which remains unreconciled to Israel's existence and firmly in control of Gaza. Obama's best intentions can't deliver peace until enough Palestinians decide they want it too.
2013-03-22 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive