The White House-brokered Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations kicked off today in Washington, with all the usual fanfare, including efforts by Hamas and Israeli radicals to derail talks. A right-wing Shas rabbi called for the annihalation of the Palestinians while Palestinian terrorists murdered four Israelis in the West Bank. Here is how the administration is responding to all the hoopla.
On the Hamas terror attack, the Press Secretary said:
The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack today perpetrated by Hamas in which four Israelis were killed in the southern West Bank. We express our condolences to the victims’ families and call for the terrorists behind this horrific act to be brought to justice. We note that the Palestinian Authority has condemned this attack. On the eve of the re-launch of direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, this brutal attack underscores how far the enemies of peace will go to try to block progress. It is crucial that the parties persevere, keep moving forward even through difficult times, and continue working to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region that provides security for all peoples.
On the rabbi’s comments, State Department Spokesman PJ Crowley said:
We regret and condemn the inflammatory statements by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. We note the Israeli statement that the Rabbi’s comments do not reflect the views of the Prime Minister. These remarks are not only deeply offensive, but incitement such as this hurts the cause of peace. As we move forward to relaunch peace negotiations, it is important that actions by people on all sides help to advance our effort, not hinder it.
What’s notable is that the White House responded to the terror attack while the State Department handled the rabbi’s genocidal comment. Now, this difference could mean nothing, except that actual people died at the hands of Hamas, therefore the White House was pushed to respond.
Or, the White House’s reaction to Palestinian terror could signal that the administration will not stand for terrorism and efforts to derail the peace talks by Hamas. The White House is throwing its full weight behind Israel’s security in an effort to suppress Palestinian terror and assuage Israeli concerns that the country’s security could be compromised by a peace process.
These responses could indicate that the White House acknowledges that Palestinian terror is the true impediment to peace, with the Obama administration desperately needing this foreign policy victory. For Israel to agree to concessions, such as withdrawing or halting settlements, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu must know that the White House is in his corner, with the latest set of releases reassuring him that Israel’s security is the top priority.