U.S. CAN’T GET ARABS TO COMMIT TO NORMAL ISRAEL TIES

BY BARAK RAVID and CNAAN LIPSHIZ 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. 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. Defense Minister Ehud Barak returned to Israel on Wednesday... [read full story]                    

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