The sources said the White House has determined that a Palestinian state
by 2012 was vital in the formation of any international coalition against
Iran and its nuclear weapons program. They said Israel would be pressed to
enable Palestinian Authority security forces to deploy throughout the West
Bank as well as dismantle Jewish communities.
"They are systematically setting up the most decisive confrontation that
we've ever seen," former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said.
Obama's message to American Jewish leaders came on the eve of his
meeting with visiting Israeli President Shimon Peres as well as the annual
conference by the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee. The sources said
the president wanted to clarify his position to the Jewish community before
the visit by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on May 18.
"Obviously, we want these [American Jewish] leaders to relay the
president's priorities to Israel before the visit of the prime minister,"
the source said.
The sources said Obama has also told European Union leaders that his
administration would be more forceful with Israel. They said the Obama
message stressed that Israel would not be allowed to derail the
international effort to establish a Palestinian state.
"All sides must meet their commitments, as difficult as they may be,"
Emanuel was quoted as telling 300 AIPAC donors in a closed session. "This is
the moment of truth for Israel and the Palestinians."
Obama was also said to have reaffirmed his determination for renewed
talks for an Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights, captured from Syria
in the 1967 war. The sources said Obama was convinced that Israel should
pursue negotiations with both Syria and the Palestinian Authority over the
next year. They said a similar message was sent to Damascus.
"The president will get very specific in his talks with the Israeli
prime minister," the administration source said. "The president will discuss
specific measures and timetables."
On May 5, Obama was scheduled to meet Peres at the White House. The
sources said Obama would discuss his vision of the Middle East with Peres in
an effort to prepare for the White House meeting with Netanyahu.
"Unfortunately, the Middle East finds itself in the shadow of a nuclear
threat," Peres told AIPAC on May 4. "We shall refuse to give up. We refuse
to surrender."
