Obama's Middle East Peace Plan

Earlier this week, David Ignatius wrote a piece in the Washington Post in which he cited high ranking, but unnamed administration sources to the effect that President Obama was going to try to impose a peace plan on Israel and the Palestinians. Ignatius just parroted administration views and seemed to ask no questions as to what he was told. Accordingly, I sent him the following e-mail:

"Dear David

In the course of your interviews, perhaps you could ask administration officials the identity of the person with whom the Israelis are supposed to negotiate peace. Abbas of the PA is the heir of Yassir Arafat whose motto was borrowed from Nancy Reagan – “just say no!” He is in such a weak position that he cannot agree to any concessions without strengthening the Hamas faction that controls Gaza. For its part, Hamas has made clear that it will never agree to any deal that does not result in the destruction of Israel and the US has no leverage to move Hamas from this view. Iran will do all it can to upset any peace deal whether through its proxies in Lebanon (Hezbollah) or Gaza (Hamas). Syria will follow along with the lead of its Iranian ally and benefactor. In short, there is no one with whom to make peace.

I realize the lack of an Islamic partner for peace is my view, but I would like to hear someone from the administration voice the identity of who it is that they believe would be able to accept the peace plan they are floating. Even in the bubble of Washington, they must realize that it takes two sides to make peace.

I think that it would make an interesting article were you to pursue this question.

Thanks,"

Needless to say, I am still awaiting a response either by e-mail or in the paper.

Any attempt by the US to impose a plan on Israel has already been rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu according to an article in today's Haaretz. Still, it would be very interesting to have the Obamacrats explain who it is that they view as the Palestinian with whom the Israelis are supposed to make peace.