Latest News:  

English>>World

News Analysis: Stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks to dominate Obama's visit

(Xinhua)

08:22, February 07, 2013

Key Words: Israeli-Palestinian peace talks; Obama's visit

Related Reading:
>> Israeli fighter jets cross into Lebanon's airspace: report
>> Israeli airstrike targeted science facility near Syrian capital: military
>> Argentina rebuffs Israeli anger over 1994 bombing probe
>> Palestinian apprehended for stabbing Israeli youth in West Bank

JERUSALEM, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama will visit Israel in March or April as part of a wider tour of the Middle East, with the stalled peace talks between Israelis and the Palestinians possibly be the main agenda.

He did come to Israel in July 2008 before being elected president later the same year, but he has not visited since, stating that he will only do when there is an opportunity to make real progress in the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.

According to Israeli TV Channel 10, Obama has been assured that he could be able "to accomplish great things" and to move the negotiations forward.

There have not been any negotiations for over two years, and there are issues which Obama needs to find a way to resolve before talks are resumed. Some analysts said that even if the talks are to restart, there is still an adamant risk that they will break down again.

"The assumption is that the president would not come to Israel unless he got some commitment from the parties, namely from Mr. ( Benjamin) Netanyahu and Mr. (Mahmoud) Abbas, that there is a willingness to resume the negotiation process. I would assume that this will bring about a restart of the political process," Shlomo Brom, of the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University, told Xinhua on Wednesday.

Prof. Eli Podeh, of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said that he was a bit surprised by Obama's decision to come but the fact that he is coming means that at least he is making attempts to promote the process.

"To what extent he will succeed is an open question because Israel still doesn't have any government and we don't know what its composition is, if is it more moderate than before," Podeh said, referring to the fact that Netanyahu is in the middle of trying to build a new coalition government after parliamentary elections were held on Jan. 22.

He added that "it might be that we will have a more moderate Israeli government that is more willing to discuss the peace process."


【1】 【2】 【3】



We recommend:

Military camouflage around the world

Welcome to the coldest village on Earth

Women in the world's spotlight 2012

Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo visits Indonesia

Hillary Clinton delivers final address

Romantic date places across world

Email|Print|Comments(Editor:LiQian、Yao Chun)

Leave your comment0 comments

  1. Name

  

Selections for you


  1. 'Changchun' warship commissioned to Navy

  2. Infantry regiment in winter training

  3. The world in photos (2013.1.28-02.03)

  4. People kiss boas for luck in Chongqing

  5. Chinese New Year in country fair

  6. Sweetest moment of 'mother-to-be'

  7. Wu Mochou: Maverick musician

  8. 'Little Psy' wants to be more famous

  9. Export woes need for change in trade structure

  10. Boost expected for local cars

Most Popular

Opinions

  1. Cowardly officials behind thuggish pawns
  2. Free-pass policy faces New Year migration test
  3. Safety on the roads
  4. Hukou and properties
  5. China, Japan need dialogue for peace
  6. Hukou system denies right to 'die equal'
  7. The ungainly dance of Shinzo Abe
  8. Why does US plan to relax immigration policy?
  9. Egypt's relative calm not expected to last for long
  10. East or west, whose home is best?

What’s happening in China

Most feared Spring Festival questions

  1. Migrant worker thanks public for help
  2. China strives to reduce air pollutants
  3. Restaurant owners admit using gutter oil
  4. Police rescue 14 human trafficking victims
  5. Clinic closed following outbreak of hepatitis C