Middle East: Obama Must Act

The hope aroused in the Middle East by Barack Obama’s June 4th Cairo speech has faded in less than six months. Lacking clear diplomatic direction from the United States, Israelis and Palestinians have returned to a spiral of unilateral actions that can only aggravate tensions.

The announcement of the construction of 900 new housing units in the Jewish neighborhood of Gilo in East Jerusalem is a challenge to Palestinians, but also to the American president, who had committed himself to achieving the end of colonization so that negotiations could proceed.

According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, Benjamin Netanyahu is taking advantage of “Obama’s weakness.” Since Washington gave up on the idea of requiring a total freeze on construction in the settlements at the end of October, the Israeli government wasted no time in pushing its advantage. It is doing so in East Jerusalem, part of the Holy City, whose annexation in 1967 created no debate in Israel, while a decision of such scope would have created controversy had it concerned the West Bank.

The Prime Minister may thus consolidate his coalition, all while sending a signal of extreme firmness about Israel’s intentions over Jerusalem during possible negotiations on the final status of the Palestinian territories.

Only one week after the last meeting between Barack Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House is reduced to expressing its “consternation,” but it is giving the impression of having lost control of the situation.

On the Palestinian side, the discrediting of the Palestinian Authority is obvious and can only benefit Hamas. After President Mahmoud Abbas’ threat to resign, his entourage is now preparing a unilateral declaration of independence in order to force the UN Security Council to decide. Such an initiative, rejected in advance by the United States and the European Union, has little chance of amounting to anything. It underscores the impotence of Palestinian leadership, out of arguments, scorned by Israel, and more and more abandoned by the rest of the world.

Barack Obama seems aware of the gravity of the situation. “This could end up being very dangerous,” he said yesterday by relating that the Israeli decision “embitters the Palestinians” and “does not contribute to Israel’s security.” Once again, his analysis is correct. It is urgent that he proves his authority and takes action.