Welcome to Fry'd Daze - What is it.... Well, it is a long running diary series that is an Open Thread on issues around the Middle East. Anyhow, this is week 2.44. I don't want this to be a flame forum, Rather something we can exchange ideas about I/P and/or issues about the Middle East.
What I really want to try to do this on Fry'd Daze as a way to get people to talk about whatever comes into their heads regarding this subject... an open forum where people can meet and talk.
BTW... I hope people will actually read the stories, they are relevant. However, this is an Open Thread so speak on what you like
J Street did a Poll of American Jewish volters and here is what they found (Full survey found here) was interesting but not unexpected. Amongst their findings the following things stand out for me:
- Despite the political environment, Republicans and conservatives have no traction with American Jews. The Republican Party’s favorability is 21 percent nationally and the Tea Party movement is at 19 percent nationally.
- Jews think the U.S. should be an impartial broker in order to achieve peace. 50 percent of American Jews think the US should serve as a "fair and impartial" broker, compared to 35 percent that think the U.S. should "side with Israel" during negotiations to protect "America’s democratic ally."
- American Jews seek active U.S. leadership to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict. Large majorities of Jews (83 percent) want America to play "an active role in helping the parties to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict," support active US leadership if it meant public disagreements with (71 percent support) or exerting pressure on Israelis and Arabs to achieve the compromises required for a peace agreement (65 percent support).
- Israel was 8th on the list of most important issues facing Jewish voters. (So much for the dual loyalty claim)
- Jewish Americans approve of President Obama 60%-40% (much higher than the national average)
- 53% approved of the way President Obama was handling the Middle East crises.
It seems that the American Jewish community despite the hype from the extreme left (dual loyalty and whatnot) and the Right (Obama needs to be beholden to Israel's every whim) is a strong base for the Democratic Party and for Liberal politics.
For our second story, I move towards the talks on Palestinian reconciliation. Al-Masri heads to Gaza to prime unity:
Independent figure and businessman Munib Al-Masri will travel to Gaza on Friday, ahead of what he said he hoped would be renewed Fatah-Hamas meetings in Damascus the following week.
Speaking to Ma'an on Thursday evening, Al-Masri, a Nablus billionaire and head of the independent movement to end Palestinian division, said he would speak with Hamas leaders including Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and prepare the way for a Damascus meeting.
Along those lines:Ma'an reports:Unity hinges on security forces deal
EL-ARISH, Egypt (Ma'an) -- Officials commenting on the latest unity rumors say the issue of a re-hauled security service amalgamating the West Bank and Gaza units remains the final stumbling block to inter-party reconciliation.
Another sticking point in reconciliation seems to be the Peace Talks. According to Haaretz: Hamas: Peace talks with Israel are dividing the Palestinian people
Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas politburo member, said Thursday that "further efforts to reach an agreement on a national political program", including a joint position on talks with Israel - which Hamas opposes.
"These negotiations have divided the Palestinian people. We said from the start they are futile and lead to nowhere," said Rishq, who lives in exile in Syria along with Hamas leader Khaled Meshal and other senior members of the group....
"....The success of the upcoming negotiations between us and the brothers in Fatah hinges on whether there would be an independent national Palestinian will away from Israeli ... conditions," he said in an interview.
I wonder if there will be differences in the talks due to the inclusion of Hamas / Damascus and Hamas / Gaza. In other words will the two groups withing Hamas be able to work things out. We are told here that they are different units, (with Gaza being more moderate) if so, how does that bear out on this process?
Finally, Kadima Leader Tzipi Livni says: 'Netanyahu's refusal to extend settlement freeze is hurting Israel'
Referring to the reported American offer, Livni, spkeaing befor the Israeli Farmers Association on Friday, asked: Why not comply with the demand to extend the freeze by two months? So certain people can hold on to their seats in the coalition, who would have stayed there anyway? Does that compare to our strategic relationship with the U.S.? Israel needs to stop defining itself by the threats surrounding it, and start promoting a vision. We don't have to be united by threats - that is not a common factor."
Livni continued its attack on Netanyahu's cabinet, saying his " rightist government has been outspoken, pounding on the table, but Israel is weaker for it."
Related to this is the fact the Palestinians are saying they will continue to give the U.S. time to work on the Israelis to get this done. In a note of candor here (and repeated by this diarist), Palestinian negotiator said the following:
Erekat said other suggested resolutions to the impasse, including suggestions that the Palestinians should insist on a "one state solution" where the Arab majority with Israel demands equal rights, were unrealistic at least for now.
"Those who continue with the settlement activities may end up with the one state solution, whether they like it or not. But that's not my option," he said.
So discuss, enjoy, please don't flame, and go at it. Happy Fry'd Daze