It may be that United States President Barack Obama’s magic is wearing off.
More likely, delays he has encountered in kick-starting the Middle East peace process — which he considers a US national security priority — merely reflect the notorious complexity of the task and the bloody-mindedness of those involved.
Change is an easy slogan. Making it reality is the hard part.
The presence this week of half a dozen senior Obama advisers in Israel, plus their side visits to Syria, Egypt and the Palestinian territories, gives the impression of furious, progressive diplomatic activity. This is doubtless deliberate.
US-Israeli relations have dipped sharply, with Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, bluntly refusing to take US “orders” on ending settlement growth, east Jerusalem demolitions, Iran, or anything else. Obama’s peace drive, like other flagship policies, has faltered.
Now the Americans are publicly making nice while pressing hard in private. US envoy George Mitchell emphasised the enduring strength of bilateral friendship. Defence secretary Robert Gates is offering security reassurance in talks on missile defence and Iran.
Meanwhile, the parties are reportedly edging closer to a deal on freezing Jewish settlement construction for a fixed, possibly six-month, period, with the exception of 700 buildings now under construction.
The response of Arab neighbours and the Palestinians to any such deal will be crucial if Obama is to succeed in getting real negotiations under way.
Mitchell, who has promised an inclusive peace agenda by the end of the northern summer, is urging them to make reciprocal, confidence-building gestures, possibly including Israel-Arab overflight agreements, visa and trade relaxations and cultural exchanges.Read more
