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Barack Obama arrives in Israel for first trip as president
President Barack Obama is declaring common cause with Israel, highlighting the bonds between the United States and its Mideast ally. He says he has made Israel the first stop of the first trip of his second term to restate his commitment to Israel’s security.
Obama arrived Wednesday in Tel Aviv, joking to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he was “getting away from Congress.”
Israeli President Shimon Peres welcomed Obama, declaring that “A world without America’s leadership, without her moral voice, would be a darker world. A world without your friendship, would invite aggression against Israel.”
Obama called the U.S. Israel’s “strongest ally and your greatest friend.” (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Coalition deal gives Netanyahu options on Palestine, Iran
Goodspeed Analysis: Literally overnight, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has jolted his government toward the centre of Israeli politics.
Gary Clement on the situation in the Middle East
U.S. ‘deeply disappointed’ in new Israeli settlement
The United States said on Tuesday that Israel’s decision to approve construction of 1,100 homes for Jews on annexed land in the West Bank was “counterproductive” and urged both Israel and the Palestinians not to take steps which could complicate resumption of direct peace talks.
“We are deeply disappointed by this morning’s announcement by the government of Israel,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.
Gary Clement’s Week in Review for May 22 to 28, 2011
Blue Oprah Cult: Scott Stinson on Oprah’s finale fervor
Mladic ‘too sick’ for extradition, lawyers argue
Canucks hope to put bad luck behind them
‘Long lost cousin’ Obama visits Irish village
Jonathan Kay: I want to support Israel, but Netanyahu is making it difficult
The Auditor-General’s Top 10
‘Two states,’ one choice
U.S. President Barack Obama backed a key Palestinian demand on the borders of a future state with Israel as part of his vision for a Middle East peace deal and sought to shape political change convulsing the region.
Obama’s proposal — a policy shift that effectively calls for a negotiated Israeli pullback to 1967 borders that existed before it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem — drew a swift rejection from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the eve of his Washington visit.
Obama at the plate: What the experts say
In what the White House promised would be a “sweeping” speech, President Barack Obama on Thursday talked about a new era in America’s relationship with the Middle East and North Africa. He spoke of promoting democracy, championing individual freedom, pumping aid into Egypt and solving the Palestinian conflict. He did not say a word about Saudi Arabia, but analysts did — when we asked them to pick apart the President’s message.
Bibi and Bieber spark new Israeli crisis
It wasn’t exactly 40 years wandering in the desert, but Justin Bieber’s visit to Israel didn’t work out as everyone hoped. As an adroit practitioner in the black arts of politics, Benjamin Netanyahu knows the importance of spin. The Israeli Prime Minister makes a habit of hosting visiting celebrities. The ensuing photo ops raise his profile and give his country some rare favourable coverage.
Netanyahu cancels Bieber meeting
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cancelled a meeting with Canadian pop sensation Justin Bieber after the singer refused to meet with children who narrowly survived a rocket attack last week, according to press reports. The Prime Minister was scheduled to host the singer at his office in Jerusalem on Wednesday evening before Mr. Bieber’s Thursday night concert in Tel Aviv, Israeli press reported, citing Channel Two news.
