The American Vision

America’s top diplomat entered the lion’s den, the stronghold of Israel support in Washington, at a time of tension between the Obama Administration and Netanyahu government. She touched and softened up the 7,000 members of the audience and drew loud applause, a moment before she told Israel’s staunchest supporters what no American leader had ever said in this forum: A peace treaty premised on a return to the 1967 borders, hints of international administration of the holy sites, and demands for improved ties in the West Bank and an improved humanitarian situation in Gaza. …
 
The secretary of state broadly addressed the demographic threat resulting from “Israeli occupation,” which she said “threatens Israel’s long-term future as a secure and democratic Jewish state.” It was a masterpiece address where Clinton left no doubt as to her sympathy for Israel and the Obama Administration’s commitment to the Jewish State’s security and prosperity. Yet this did not prevent her from noting America’s demands of Israel. Immediately after saying that “the United States cannot force a solution,” she spoke about America’s vision for a resolution of the conflict.
 
Clinton in fact said nothing new. Anyone who has been monitoring the conflict … realizes that the solution will come in the form of a return to the 1967 borders with territorial tradeoffs, rejection of the Palestinian right of return, the establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian state, and the introduction of shared administration of the Holy Sites.
 
However, the Obama Administration chose to present the question of borders as the first core issue. Final-status borders will end the Israeli construction freeze nightmare, and the Netanyahu government would be able to build as it wishes in the territory determined to belong to Israel. For that reason, Clinton did not hesitate to state the US’ objective in the framework of final-status talks at her AIPAC appearance—working out the borders issue. Access the full article>>