In the course of Obama’s winding interview with Jeffrey Goldberg yesterday, there was very little discussion of the substantive issues that impede a comprehensive settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians. Obama briefly touched on Israeli settlements, which “at this juncture are not helpful” he said, but made no mention of the security fence, or right of return, or the final status of Jerusalem. What are his positions on these issues? Another Obama advisor speaks out:
Jerusalem, by Israeli law, is the undivided capital of Israel, and there’s no reason to believe the next government will be any more willing to deal on this point than the last. The J Street contingent will be thrilled to hear that Obama’s advisors have plans to force that government into making painful concessions regardless, but it’s unclear whether Obama shares these views. Would an Obama administration redraw the map of Jerusalem on its own? What if that was the only way to heal the “constant sore” that “infects all of our foreign policy”?
