Helene Cooper on Obama and Middle East on 1-15-09

34.January 15, 2009 11:09 am
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The Muslim world expects a positive response by Mr. Obama to the call of Mr. Bin Laden yesterday for Holy War against Israel. Anything less will be considered continuing the pro Israeli bias of Mr. Bush. In spite of the fact that the ruthless Israelis "rejected" the decision of the Security Council, while the poor Hamas (just) "ignored" it. as Mr. Cooper writes, President Obama will not yield to the expectations of the "Muslim world," whatever it means. In real life, in the next few days, a cease fire between Israel and Hamas will be agreed upon by the good offices of Egypt and possibly by direct talks between IDF and Hamas. Several days after that the media will forget for a short time about Israelis and Palestinians and move on to bailouts, mortgage crisis and unemployment. Obama administration, in the first days in office, will be not bogged down in tiresome negotiations with the Israelis and Palestinians, the representatives of whom are not exactly known. My guess is that Mr. Obama and Ms. Clinton will push Israel and Syria for a peace agreement. This is practically feasible and will be hailed as first rate achievement of the new administration, proving that they were right in affirming, "yes, we can."
— Aharon Meytahl, Vestal, NY