Washington Post warns Obama against pressuring Israel

Editorial says US 'should recognize that blunt pressure on Israel won't produce Mideast deal'

YNET News Yitzhak Benhorin

WASHINGTON – The Washington Post warned US President Barack Obama Wednesday against applying too much pressure on Israel as proximity talks with the Palestinians begin.

After three-hour meeting between prime minister, US envoy to Mideast, Jerusalem sources refrain from stating meeting marks start of proximity talks, but say it was 'constructive'. Two to meet again Thursday

A Post editorial doubted the Obama administration's ability to promote peace with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rightist government, which it said was "unlikely to accept some of the terms that would be necessary for peace, such as Palestinian sovereignty over part of Jerusalem".

"The Obama administration should recognize that blunt pressure on Israel won't produce a Middle East deal. Instead, the administration needs to methodically press both sides to negotiate seriously," the editorial said.

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