Dan Shapiro says the U.S. has complex plans for Iran, Syria and Israelis and Palestinians, so it’s important to begin ‘as fast as possible.’
Haaretz
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro says President Barack Obama will bring an “urgent” peacemaking agenda to Israel on his upcoming visit, focusing on the region and the resumption of talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
On Tuesday the White House announced that Obama will make it to Israel at the end of March, his first trip as U.S. president, as well as the West Bank and Jordan.
Speaking to Army Radio on Wednesday morning, Ambassador Shapiro said, “We have a very complex agenda about Iran, Syria and the need to get Israel and the Palestinians back to the negotiating table, so it’s important to begin as fast as possible.”
Israeli Ambassador to Washington Michael Oren told Haaretz that the visit is meant “to send a clear message to the entire region about the strength of the U.S.-Israeli relationship and the intent to strengthen this historic alliance still further at this challenging moment in the Middle East.”
According to the White House official, “The start of the president’s second term and the formation of a new Israeli government offer the opportunity to reaffirm the deep and enduring bonds between the United States and Israel and to discuss the way forward on a broad range of issues of mutual concern, including Iran and Syria.”
“Additional details about the trip – including the dates of travel – will be released at a later time,” the official said.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said that while he is in the region, Obama will also visit Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and King Abdullah of Jordan. He is currently due to be preceded by his new secretary of state, John Kerry, who is slated to travel to Israel, the PA and Egypt in about 10 days’ time. But it’s possible Kerry will delay his visit and come with Obama instead.
#1 by isaac on February 9, 2013 - 7:23 pm
US Envoy: Obama’s trip to Israel will bring “Urgent” War-making Agenda.
#2 by Steven on February 10, 2013 - 12:22 am
Praying before a graven image or idol. In this case the wailing wall and worshipping the jews and Israel instead of worshipping god through Jesus Christ in truth and spirit. Very shamefull and sinfull. After many millenia of god trying to communicate with humans one would expect that people would have learned something by now. Too many have not been paying attention.
#3 by michael mazur on February 10, 2013 - 2:49 am
‘We have a very complex agenda about Iran, Syria’ . .
Means Obama is going to bring the Israelis the bad news that unconditional direct talks will be taking place with both the al Assad govt of Syria and with the Iranians, for not to is only going to drive Iran closer to Russia and China, as America simply no longer has the capacity nor the will to remain in a adversarial relationship with Iran, let alone have the needless problem compounded by further alienating Russia and China.
The Project for the New America Century is several years behind schedule – starting with the assault on Afghanistan, and cannot be completed for the reason that the concept was based on the overweening hubris of preening peacock males who never themselves were boots on the ground military men, and so had no idea of the magnitude of what it was they were embarking on in real terms.
Though not a former military man himself, Obama has the intellect to not underestimate military realities on the ground facing troops were he to send them out in attempting furtherance of the goals of the PNAC.
#4 by sea on February 10, 2013 - 12:14 pm
Will they make a Palestinian do it, then blow the lid off Moriah mount, in the ensuing chaos?
Perhaps they’ll build a megalithic lord of the rings eye tower, complete with a demonic spotlight?
Needless to say, they’re gearing up for something. Biden reminds me of Johnson; Kerry ‘n bones is in..
#5 by Ingrid B on February 10, 2013 - 3:57 pm
every now and then, they decide to start beating this dead horse. I suppose the question is, why now?
#6 by Joe on February 10, 2013 - 5:23 pm
World jewry needs to destroy Iran Right Now ’cause the USA is going down the toilet real fast. The jews need to take over the MIddle East so they’ll have someplace to hop to after the US goes down for-the-count.
Iran stands in the way of a total jew take-over of the Middle East.
If the jews succeed in destroying Iran while the US goes down for good, the jews here in the States who now pretend to be Catholics and Protestant Christians [ they're in every Christian denomination ] will hop over to the Middle East, and then pretend to be Sunnis and Shi-ites, and only g*d knows what else.
The big rush is on ’cause snake-skin shedding season is coming up real soon.
#7 by amerikagulag on February 11, 2013 - 2:41 am
Going to get his second term MARCHING ORDERS from the world terrorist headquarters.
#8 by Ingrid B on February 11, 2013 - 3:49 am
I could be wrong, but I sense a strengthening of ties between once powerfull countries with Iran, ie. Egypt and Iraq..
#9 by RJ Stansfield on February 11, 2013 - 6:13 pm
I’d be interested to learn which country Barack Obama is president of. His “first visit as president” to Israel. So the pic is from when he went before he was president of USA. Nothing to do with “you scratch my back …”, of course. Not many who are not Jewish visit Israel. Not if they don’t want to get more than a metaphorical rocket. But Ole Barack is keen. An African-American with Moslem middle name, what’s he doing praying solemnly in a yarmulka at presumably not his backyard Wall ?
Why are there “deep and enduring bonds between the United States and Israel” ? Cui bono, said the Romans … who benefits ? No fools, the Romans. What do the American people at large get out of it, apart from a hefty bill, and a tar baby dragging them into wars in places they never heard of, & conflicts with people who have never threatened America ? Like Iraqis, Afghans & Iranians. Influencing friends & making people ? Endless war, for endless peace. Recall Orwell’s “1984″, where they invented an unending war just to keep their own people docile ?
Here’s a clue, maybe ? … Shapiro is Jewish, and ipso facto eligible as an Israeli citizen & to no-extradition asylum there. John Kerry is said to aver he is only sort-of Jewish. But his brother is fully Orthodox. Hmm. As Ian Fleming said, “Nothing propinks like propinquity”. No doubt both qualify as club members, in a pinch. Members of Greater Israel — which they tell us includes Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, bit of Turkey, chunk of Egypt, Iraq … well, they’ll do for starters, folks.
Are not elected representatives in a democracy supposed to represent those who elected them ? Not get into “enduring bonds” — BONDS, note — with overseas powers and foreigners ? Do foreign elites’ interests (and not-so-foreign ones at home) REALLY coincide with those of Joe & Jill American ? If you believe that, pls call me, I’d like to offer you a really super price on this bridge I own in Australia.
Let’s not forget the “Project for the New American Century” of 1999, backed by people like Perle, Kristol, & a bunch of both Dubya’s & Bill Clinton’s top echelons, and … oh, yes, Netanyahu. People who gloried on TV over the invasion of Iraq to rid Americans of those pesky WMDs & Nasty Ole Saddam’s threats against America — both of which were as real as the Boogyman.
Now for Iran, Syria, and … Quo Vadis ? where else shall we invade ? Oh, yes, what about Timbuktoo ? Pete’s sake. Are they making it up ? Shall we go on flying carpets, with genies in bottles ? Does the place really exist ? Let’s invade Saturn instead.
Why do I feel I’ve seen this film before ? Give it a “BS” rating. Please. Or do call about that bridge.
RJS