Arab Fists Still Clenched

Middle East | Thu, Jul 2, 2009 at 10:17:12 am PDT

Imagine my surprise; Barack Obama’s bold new initiative for Arab countries to normalize relations with Israel is getting nowhere.

The U.S. administration has not been successful in securing commitments from Arab countries to take steps toward normalizing relations with Israel, a senior source in Jerusalem said Wednesday.

The source said U.S. President Barack Obama’s recent meeting with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia did not produce a commitment to encourage the other Arab states to begin normalization.

“In such a situation, the Americans can’t continue demanding gestures only from Israel, such as the demand that Israel freeze settlement construction,” the source said.

So naturally, since the Arab countries remain committed (as they always have been) to the destruction of Israel, Obama will continue asking them to unclench.

In response, a senior White House source said talks with the Arab states are continuing with the aim of obtaining a commitment to make gestures toward Israel, and there is still hope for progress.