Obama's tougher line on Israel? Are we kidding ourselves?

I will say that I'm glad Obama and Biden are paying lip service to the issue of illegal settlements, unlike some officials. It's a precursor to a good start. I doubt we'll make "aid" dependent on anything Israel must do. Obligations and prerequisites are for Palestinians. Everyone knows that.

Barack Obama hints at tougher line on Israel
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6229180.ece

Lieberman: U.S. will accept any Israeli policy decision
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1080097.html

This is a pretty bold statement by Lieberman, but it does ring true, unfortunately and embarassingly. It renders the leader of the free world rather impotent.
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In other news, it seems the positions of the some parties have flip-flopped. I was going to say side, but Hamas doesn't represent all Palestinians, but it is interesting that they support and two-state solution and the "democratic" "Western" Israeli government doesn't. Interesting. So here we see that aid and support aren't based on support of the peace process after all! It should be crystal clear to all that our support of Israel has nothing to do with the fact that they are willing to sit down and talk peace and Palestinians aren't (as some will still tell you).

Meshal: Hamas seeks Palestinian state based on 1967 borders
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1083183.html
I heard this as a headline the other day, but found articles announcing this from 2006- at first glance. And there are still people who say Palestinians in general deserve the human rights abuses they get because Hamas wants to push Israel into the sea.


Netanyahu won’t back two state solution
http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasen/spages/1067553.html

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3693269,00.html


And then there’s Avigdor Lieberman, the FM - doesn’t talk about two states, rejects all agreements but Roadmap* (?), loyalty oath, “transfer”, drowning prisoners, etc…
http://www.palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=15055

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/04/avigdor-lieberman-refuses_n_195642.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/5090518/Avigdor-Lieberman-repudiates-key-Israel-Palestine-accord-on-first-day.html


I think I mentioned this before, but the (?) is explained here:
*Roadmap Israel said they’d sign but had 14 reservations (Palestinians not allowed violence or incitement/criticism, but Israel is, no discussion of settlements, etc) so wouldn’t observe

Here are the 14 – totally guts the agreement; they should just say no, we won’t do it.

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/road1.html

Several of these are their obligations under international law and should occur independently and not be conditional upon any Palestinian actions.