Secretary of State Clinton and Prime Minister Netanyahu at their recent meeting in New York (AP)
On November 11, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York. Reports suggest that the meeting helped pave the way for a U.S.-Israel agreement whereby the United States would provide Israel with incentives to extend a one-off settlement moratorium for 90 days. Construction in East Jerusalem would reportedly not be included in the extension. Reported incentives include the United States giving Israel 20 additional F-35 fighter jets worth about $3 billion, and a U.S. promise to oppose moves in the international arena to force an agreement on Israel.
Netanyahu presented the proposal to his security cabinet, which has reportedly delayed voting on it until after written assurances from the United States are provided. The Palestinians are waiting to comment on whether they would return to negotiations until after the United States provides them with official details of the agreement. There are also reports that Israeli military and intelligence officials have warned that if a peace agreement is not reached with the Palestinians than an escalation of violence will occur and Hamas could increase its power.
For full details of Israel’s initial settlement moratorium, see this backgrounder. In addition, for analysis on how to advance Middle East peace efforts, see a recent MEB interview with former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk entitled, “Courage and Leadership Needed”. For analysis on the role of regional states in the current context, see a MEB interview with former Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher entitled, “The Regional Component to Moving Forward”.
